What causes breast pain? What are the causes of breast pain?

What causes breast pain? What are the causes of breast pain?

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Breast painIt is a common complaint among women with its medical name mastalgia. This pain can arise from many different reasons. Breast pain, which may be a natural part of the menstrual cycle (menstrual cycle) in women, can also be a harbinger of different diseases according to their severity and time of appearance. Although its incidence is higher in young women who have not yet entered the menopause period, it is a complaint that can occur in women of all ages. Although pain related to the menstrual cycle covers most of these pains, pain that does not improve within a few days or does not end with menstrual bleeding increases the possibility of an underlying health problem.

Contents

• What is breast pain?
• What are the symptoms of breast pain?
• What are the causes of breast pain?
• How is breast pain diagnosed?
• What are the treatment methods for breast pain?

What is breast pain?

Breast pain (mastalgia) is a sharp and burning type of pain, tension and tenderness in the breasts that can develop in women due to various reasons. These pains can be seen in a single breast or in both breasts, or they can be in the form of pain that is constantly seen or occasionally occurs. Likewise, the severity of the pain can be mild, moderate or severe. The problem of breast pain can be a natural part of the menstrual cycle, which can be seen frequently and does not cause any harm. This type of pain is common in just a few days of the month or in the two or three days before the onset of menstrual bleeding. It usually affects both breasts and its severity varies from person to person. Although natural pain related to the menstrual cycle can be effective for up to a week in some individuals, the persistence of pain in the breast for a month indicates that the pain is not a pain related to the menstrual cycle. In this case, the factors that cause the pain may be hormonal problems, the presence of good or bad tumors in the breast, and ovulation disorders. Due to the fact that very serious conditions such as cancer are among the possible causes of pain, breast pain that is not thought to be due to the menstrual cycle should be examined by a physician.

What are the symptoms of breast pain?

Because most of the breast pains are related to the menstrual cycle, they are called cyclic breast pain. Symptoms of these pains are different and specific than non-cyclic breast pains. Therefore, the symptoms of breast pain can be examined under two different headings: cyclic pains and non-cyclic pains. Symptoms of cyclic breast pain, which is a natural part of the menstrual cycle, are:

• The fact that the pain is clearly related to the menstrual cycle (pain that occurs at the same time every month, starts a few days or 1 week before the bleeding, etc.)
• Fullness, tension and tenderness in the breast with dull pain
• Enlarged and swollen breasts
• Pain in both breasts and intensification of pain near the armpits
• The onset, increase and disappearance of pain within two weeks before the beginning of menstrual bleeding.

The conditions mentioned above are specific symptoms of cyclic pains that occur due to varying hormone levels in the menstrual cycle. Other than this, breast pains that occur for a different reason than the menstrual cycle are included in the group of non-cyclic pains. Pain in this group can occur at times and forms that are not clearly related to the menstrual cycle, or they can be seen continuously. Unlike cyclic pains, it can be felt in the form of burning and compression. Although it is usually concentrated in a specific area within the breast, in some cases it may spread to larger areas. This type of pain can affect women of all ages, but it can be said that it is more common among women in the post-menopausal period.

What are the causes of breast pain?

Breast pain can occur in women for many reasons. It is typically tough to pinpoint the reason behind pain. This is because there are many factors that can play a role in the development of pain. Reproductive hormones are the primary factor influencing nipple pain or breast pain. Especially the occurrence of pain related to the menstrual cycle is associated with the levels of female reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone in the blood. Non-cyclic pains include the following:

• Conditions such as congestion and infection in the milk ducts and milk glands
• Breast sores and irritations due to breastfeeding or uncomfortable clothing
• Breast surgeries
• Drugs used for infertility treatment
• Use of oral contraceptives and some antidepressants
• Estrogen and progesterone hormone treatments used in the postmenopausal period
• Breast cancer
• Large breasts (often associated with back and neck pain)

Apart from these, in some cases, intensive exercise of the muscles in the chest area, compelling chest exercises and muscle pain caused by reverse movements can also be confused with breast pain. People who have done such sports activities or unusual movements can see a doctor if there is no improvement by monitoring whether the pain decreases within a few days.

How is breast pain diagnosed?

Individuals whose complaints of breast pain persist for more than a few weeks, are concentrated in a specific area of ​​the chest, become aggravated over time or make daily life difficult, should be examined by a health institution. During this examination, the detailed medical history of the patient is first learned by the physician. A physical examination can be performed by the physician after learning about how long the pain has been going on, how it is felt and in what situations it increases or decreases. Patients should also inform their physicians about the drugs they regularly use and the treatments they are taking. In many patients with breast pain complaints, ultrasound and mammography examination is usually performed. In this way, it can be determined whether there is any problem or mass in the breast tissue. If a mass is detected, a sample can be taken with the help of needle biopsy and sent to pathology laboratories. In this way, you can be informed about whether the tumor is benign or malignant. After all these examinations and tests, the problems causing pain in the breast are diagnosed by the physician and the treatment process is started.

What are the treatment methods for breast pain?

Many breast pain cases, especially the pain that develops due to the menstrual cycle, heal spontaneously without any treatment. However, after the underlying problem is determined in patients who do not recover within a few weeks and apply to the physician, the treatment plan is shaped accordingly. The use of molded and supported bras specially produced for the pain that occurs due to the size of the breasts reduces the occurrence of pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be prescribed to prevent pain during the period of pain in cyclic pains and in addition to treatment for non-cyclic pains. If pain develops due to the use of contraceptive pill or hormone, antidepressant medications, it is useful to consult with the physician about alternative medicines and dose adjustment. The same is true for women who take hormone therapy after menopause. When breast pain is the main cause of complaints in the patient, breast cancer is not highly likely, but in some cases, breast cancer can be detected in patients who apply to health institutions with pain complaints. In this case, oncological treatment is started and the necessary chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical treatment applications are started. In addition, more detailed screening tests are also applied in case it may spread to other tissues and organs of the body. For problems such as mastitis (breast inflammation), which can be seen especially in breastfeeding mothers, suggestions such as the use of antibiotic drugs and physical applications to help open milk ducts can be given by the physician. When breast pain is the main cause of complaints in the patient, breast cancer is not highly likely, but in some cases, breast cancer can be detected in patients who apply to health institutions with pain complaints. In this case, oncological treatment is started and the necessary chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical treatment applications are started. In addition, more detailed screening tests are also applied in case it may spread to other tissues and organs of the body. For problems such as mastitis (breast inflammation), which can be seen especially in breastfeeding mothers, suggestions such as the use of antibiotic drugs and physical applications to help open milk ducts can be given by the physician. When breast pain is the main cause of complaints in the patient, breast cancer is not highly likely, but in some cases, breast cancer can be detected in patients who apply to health institutions with pain complaints. In this case, oncological treatment is started and the necessary chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical treatment applications are started. In addition, more detailed screening tests are also applied in case it may spread to other tissues and organs of the body. For problems such as mastitis (breast inflammation), which can be seen especially in breastfeeding mothers, suggestions such as the use of antibiotic drugs and physical applications to help open milk ducts can be given by the physician. In this case, oncological treatment is started and the necessary chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical treatment applications are started. In addition, more detailed screening tests are also applied in case it may spread to other tissues and organs of the body. For problems such as mastitis (breast inflammation), which can be seen especially in breastfeeding mothers, suggestions such as the use of antibiotic drugs and physical applications to help open milk ducts can be given by the physician. In this case, oncological treatment is started and the necessary chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical treatment applications are started. In addition, more detailed screening tests are also applied in case it may spread to other tissues and organs of the body. For problems such as mastitis (breast inflammation), which can be seen especially in breastfeeding mothers, suggestions such as the use of antibiotic drugs and physical applications to help open milk ducts can be given by the physician.

If you also have breast pain problems, if you are looking for the answer to the question of what causes breast pain, it is useful to consult a physician and undergo an examination. Since early diagnosis plays a life-saving role in many diseases that can cause pain, especially breast cancer, you can ensure that your possible diseases are diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, so you can live a healthier life.