When to Worry About Breast Pain?

When Is Breast Pain a Concern? Causes and Symptoms Explained

Breast pain, medically known as mastalgia, refers to chronic pain in the breast tissues. Several health conditions, along with other factors, cause breast pain. Depending on the cause, the pain intensity varies from mild to severe. Most causes of breast pain go away on their own. However, some may indicate a serious underlying medical condition.

Breast pain is always worrisome, but not all breast pain requires medical intervention. Here are some common causes of breast pain that will help you differentiate when it is alarming and when it is not:

1. Hormonal Fluctuations

Hormonal shifts, especially during the menstrual cycle, can make your breasts swollen and painful. However, there is no need to worry since the pain diminishes once your hormone levels strike a balance. Your breasts may also feel lumpy due to the varying levels of estrogen and progesterone.

This pain appears 2 to 3 days before periods and continues during the cycle. Apart from the menstrual cycle, there are other conditions where hormonal imbalance leads to breast pain:

● Pregnancy

● Menopause

● Hormone therapy

2. Medical Conditions

Many people consider breast pain as the primary symptom of breast cancer, but that is not always the case. Several other medical conditions cause breast pain. Have a look:

● Fibrocystic Breast Changes

Fibrocystic Breast Changes refer to benign changes within the breasts. They are often characterised by lumpy and irregularly dense breast tissues. Non-cancerous changes in breast tissue can cause persistent pain. If the pain is accompanied by discharge, it is crucial to seek immediate medical advice.

● Breast Cysts

Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs within the breast tissue. Due to hormonal fluctuations, they become enlarged and tender. Compressing around the cysts causes pinching pain. If you have a breast cyst that is growing quickly, it is important to reach out to a gynaecologist.

● Mastitis

This condition typically occurs during lactation. Since your breasts are lactating heavily during breastfeeding, it causes an infection in the supporting tissues. It can cause red, swollen and lumpy breasts with other flu-like symptoms, like:

1. Fever

2. Chills

It is better not to try out any DIY methods to ease the pain; reach out to your doctor to cure Mastitis using antibiotics.

● Breast Abscess

Breast abscess refers to pus-filled lumps in breast muscles. These are often caused by bacterial infection. It can happen to both lactating and non-lactating individuals. Breast abscesses can lead to serious pain. You can contact your nearby physicians for proper treatment and drainage of the accumulated puss.

● Costochondritis

Costochondritis is the inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone (sternum). The inflammation causes massive chest pain. It is often mistaken for a heart problem. But the condition is usually harmless and resolves on its own.

If you are experiencing mild breast pain, give it some time to recover. However, if the pain persists and co-occurs with either of the following symptoms, it is important to reach out to a doctor:

● A fever

● Whitish discharge from your nipples

● Sudden increases in pain

● A painful or painless lump

● Mass discolouration or skin changes

● Throbbing pain in one specific area

● Pain delinked with the menstrual cycle

It is important to know that breast pain can rarely be a symptom of breast cancer because cancerous lumps hardly cause pain. However, lasting breast pain for 2 or more weeks with other symptoms can be concerning. A healthcare professional will further evaluate the condition to make the treatment most effective.