Our phones have answers to almost everything these days.
But sometimes, asking Google about a health symptom feels like letting an Indian serial director script your life. You mention a mild chest pain, and suddenly—with a dramatic thunderclap rumbling in the background—the camera zooms in three times, and Google reveals that you have only three days left to live!
Feeling familiar? Yes, I did that too.
Looking up symptoms online is a good way to learn about your body but it can also lead to unnecessary worry.
Breast pain (mastalgia) is a common symptom that frequently arises from hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, muscle strain, exercise, or direct injury.
So before you jump to the worst conclusion, let’s investigate the possible reasons, what you can look for and when to get a healthcare professional involved.
What Causes Breast Pain?
Breast pain can be anything from a dull, heavy ache to a burning feeling or sharp twinges in one or both breasts. There are usually three reasons for this, hormonal changes, problems with the breast itself, or pain from nearby muscles or the chest wall.
1. Pre-Menstrual Hormonal Changes
The breasts are sensitive to the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle. In some women this can cause tenderness, swelling, or a dull ache in the days leading up to menstruation. The discomfort may ease when the period begins or progresses.
This is known as cyclical breast pain because it occurs in a repeating pattern related to your menstrual cycle. It’s not something every woman experiences & sometimes it’s more uncomfortable than at other times.
If your breast pain follows a recurring monthly pattern, keeping a simple record of when it starts and stops may help you recognise the pattern. See a healthcare professional if the pain is severe, different from your usual symptoms or continues to trouble you.
2. Changes in Breasts During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
During pregnancy and breastfeeding breasts undergo several changes and tenderness is one of them.
- During early pregnancy, changing hormone levels can make your breasts feel tender, sensitive, fuller or heavier. In fact, some women notice breast tenderness before they even realise they’re pregnant.
But don’t confirm that you are pregnant by considering breast pain alone; take a pregnancy test.
- Breastfeeding mothers can experience breast pain in different ways and due to different reasons.
Engorgement: When you don’t feed for a while, the produced milk makes your breasts feel overly full, swollen and uncomfortable, giving you that urge to feed or express milk.
Nipple Injury: New born babies do not know how to latch properly. When they latch onto the nipple rather than the areola, the nipples can become extremely painful and cracked.
Pumping Difficulties: The improper position of your pumping device can also contribute to your breast pain.
Mastitis: Leaving long gaps between feeding or wearing tight clothes can trap the milk within the tissue leading to infection. This infection can also cause burning pain during feeding.
Breastfeeding pain is not something mothers just have to live with. If you develop a hot, red or swollen breast, particularly with fever or feeling unwell, seek prompt medical assessment.
A comfortable, well-fitting nursing bra may provide support during breastfeeding, but it cannot resolve every cause of breast pain.
3. Exercise, Heavy Lifting and Chest-Muscle Strain
Have you recently started working out or lifted something heavier than usual? If yes, your chest muscles could be the reason for the pain and is called chest-wall pain.
Unfamiliar exercise, heavy lifting or physical strain can cause pain in the muscles, ribs, and cartilage located beneath and around your breasts. This sensation might make you think that the pain originates from the breasts themselves.
If moving your upper body, lifting your arms, or putting pressure on a specific spot causes a change in the discomfort you feel, it’s chest wall pain, not breast pain.
However, if the pain is severe, follows a significant injury, or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical advice and do not assume it is just muscle soreness.
A supportive sports bra that fits well can help reduce discomfort from breast motion during exercise.
4. Change in Breast Lumps or Cysts in Breast
Sometimes breast pain is related to the breast tissue and does not follow a predictable pattern. It may occur at any time and can affect one or both breasts. Such pain is called non-cyclic breast pain.
Breast cysts: These are sacs filled with fluid in the breast. They may not cause you any problems but some of them can become tender or painful, especially as they get bigger.
Fibrocystic breast changes: These are common, non-cancerous changes that can cause the breasts to feel lumpy, swollen or tender.
Breast inflammation: Inflammation or infection in the breasts can cause pain, redness, and swelling followed by a fever; which should not be overlooked.
Although many breast lumps are benign, if you notice a new lump, swelling or any other unusual change in your breast, please seek an assessment from a healthcare professional. Getting it checked is the safest way to understand what is causing the change.
5. Medicines, Menopause and Other Possible Causes
Hormonal changes around perimenopause and menopause may contribute to breast tenderness, while certain medicines can also cause discomfort as a side effect.
If your pain started after beginning a new medicine or changing a dose, tell your healthcare professional. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
Other possible causes include skin irritation, previous breast injury or surgery, and conditions affecting nearby muscles, ribs or cartilage.
6. Tight or Ill-Fitting Bra
For some women, a bra that is uncomfortable or doesn’t provide enough support can contribute to breast discomfort. This is particularly relevant when you are choosing bras for different activities. A bra that feels comfortable under a loose cotton kurti may not provide the support you need for a workout.
An ill-fitting bra worn during physical activity may dig into your skin or put pressure on sensitive areas thereby causing breast soreness. The discomfort may be more noticeable when walking quickly, climbing stairs, exercising or spending long hours on your feet.
Try adjusting the fit of your bra or wearing a more supportive style and see if that helps with your pain and comfort.
How to Manage Breast Pain?
So there is no single answer that will work for everyone in this situation. But there are a few sensible actions you can take to understand and manage mild breast pain.
Keep a pattern of: where the pain starts, how long it lasts, and if it happens around your period.
Check for possible triggers: Notice if exercise, heavy lifting, pressure or a specific activity seems to affect the pain.
Check your bra fit: Wear a bra that fits well and gives you the support you need for everyday activities.
Get help with breastfeeding problems: A lactation or health professional can help you identify the cause of feeding problems and persistent nipple or breast pain.
Check for medication-related changes: Talk to your doctor to find out if the medication could be the cause of the pain.
Can Breast Pain Be a Sign of Breast Cancer?
This is probably one of the first questions that comes to mind when breast pain appears, especially after an alarming online search. I have specifically included this section at the end to let you know that not all breast pain is a symptom of breast cancer.
Many cases are related to menstrual changes, benign breast conditions or pain originating in the chest wall. However, breast cancer can sometimes cause pain. That is why it is important not to dismiss new or unusual symptoms.
Speak to a healthcare professional if you notice:
- A new lump or swelling in your breast or armpit.
- A change in the size or shape of your breast.
- Skin dimpling, puckering or an unusual change in skin texture.
- A new change in the appearance or position of your nipple.
- Unusual nipple discharge, particularly if it is bloody.
- Persistent, localised or worsening breast pain.
- You are unsure what is causing the discomfort or are worried about it.
Do not wait for a particular number of days if you have concerning symptoms. Seek help when you need it.
Final Word
Breast pain can be uncomfortable, distracting and, yes, a little frightening especially when you are unsure what is causing it
Remember: Most breast pain is not caused by cancer, but new lumps, unusual breast changes and persistent or worsening pain should never be ignored.
Awareness brings you one step closer to action, and timely action can make a difference.
Hearing the words “breast cancer” can turn your world upside down. But a diagnosis is not the end of hope. Many breast cancers can be treated, and early detection can help fight the cancer. So women, never underestimate the strength you carry within you!