Breast pain: symptoms, causes, to treatment

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Definition

What is breast pain?

Breast tenderness is a condition when the breasts are painful and uncomfortable. Most women who experience this condition often feel anxious and worried.

Generally, they will think that it is caused by breast cancer. In fact, no.

Diseased breasts also generally do not increase the risk factors that cause breast cancer. This condition does not spread and is passed down from generation to generation in a family.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, this condition is usually divided into two categories, namely cyclic and non-cyclic. Both are very different, both in terms of causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment.

How common is this condition?

This pain in the breast is very common in women of all ages, ethnicities and environmental conditions.

Women who are menstruating often suffer from cyclical breast pain, which occurs as a result of the menstrual cycle. Meanwhile, women who enter menopause may suffer non-cyclical ones.

You can prevent this by reducing some of the risks. Try to consult a doctor for the best solution.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of breast tenderness?

Breast pain signs and symptoms vary depending on the type you are experiencing. As already mentioned, there are two types of breast pain, namely:

Cyclic

The cyclic type usually occurs in both breasts and may be accompanied by pain radiating to the hands and arms.

Usually, this condition is most severe before menstruation and will only heal when the cycle ends.

Non-cyclic

The non-cyclic type usually occurs in only one breast. The most prominent symptom is severe pain in one area of ​​the breast.

There may be other symptoms and signs that were not stated. If you have any questions about these signs, please consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should consult a doctor if:

• There is a lump in the breast
• There is fluid in the nipple
• The nipple looks unusual
• Vomiting, fatigue, fever
• The pain doesn't go away

Cause

What causes breast pain?

Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine the cause of the breast pain. However, some of the following factors could be the cause of the pain that appears in the breast, as reported by Healthline:

1. Reproductive hormone

Cyclic-type breast pain may appear when you are menstruating. Usually, the pain in the breasts will appear before menstruation and disappear after menstruation.

The changes in the hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy also contribute to the pain you feel. Likewise when you enter menopause.

2. Breast structure

The cause of the pain in your breasts that you feel could be due to a problem with the structure of the breast, such as a breast cyst, injury, or scar.

Because it is located in the chest, the pain you feel can also start outside the breast and spread to the chest.

3. Fatty acid imbalance

The imbalance of fatty acids in cells can affect the sensitivity of breast tissue. This usually occurs because of an excess or lack of fatty acid intake through food.

Fatty acids affect their structure, because the breasts themselves are made up of layers of tissue and a lot of fat.

4. Use of drugs

Some hormone medications, including fertility drugs or birth control pills, can contribute to the pain you feel in your breasts.

It could also be, the pain that is felt due to the side effects of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapy.

Certain antidepressants can also cause breast pain, including selective serotonin-blocking antidepressants (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem) and setraline (Zoloft).

5. Breast size

The pain experienced by large breasted women may not be cyclical, but non-cyclical. In fact, women who have large breasts can experience neck, shoulder and back pain, along with chest pain.

The cause of breast pain on this one is due to the large amount of fat resting on the upper part of your body.

6. Chest surgery

Pain may also appear after you have had breast surgery. Some people still feel pain after the surgery scars heal, while some others admit that they don't feel sick anymore.

7. Other causes

Some things that can also cause you to feel pain in your breasts are the activities you do.

Doing strenuous exercise or lifting heavy objects can pull the pectoral muscles under the breasts. As a result, you feel pain.

Not only that, the wrong size when using a bra can also cause breast pain.

Risk factors

What puts me at risk for breast pain?

The main factors that increase the risk of breast pain include:

• Menstrual cycle
• Breast cyst or breast injury
• Taking hormone drugs
• Big breast size
• Have had chest surgery

Medicine & medication

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to deal with sore breasts

Generally, the way to deal with sore breasts is done by consuming drugs. However, treatment options for this condition will vary depending on the type you are experiencing.

If you experience breast pain cyclic type, this condition will decrease and disappear on its own when the menstrual cycle ends. You may not need medication or doctor's help.

If you suffer from the non-cyclic type, you can treat it with pain relievers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Before taking these drugs, ideally consult your doctor first.

What are the usual tests for this condition?

Your doctor will check the condition by considering medical records or breast examinations to make sure that the pain you are feeling is not due to something more serious.

If you think you have a more serious condition, your doctor may order a mammography and a breast ultrasound to confirm your medical condition.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or prevention for breast pain?

The following are some lifestyle and preventative measures you can take at home to treat breast pain.

• Wear the right bra
• Wear a sports bra when exercising, especially when you have a sensitive chest
• Try relaxation therapy
• Be careful using various types of non-prescription pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB). Ask your doctor how much the dose should be, as taking the drug for a long time can increase the risk of liver disease and other side effects
• Look at yourself to see if you have cyclic or non-cyclic breasts
• Eat low-fat foods and use vegetable oils when cooking

If you have any questions, please consult your doctor for the best solution.