Breast Tenderness

What is breast tenderness?

Breast tenderness is pain or discomfort in the breasts. It is the most common breast symptom women have. It is usually not a sign of breast cancer.

How does it occur?

The most common cause of breast tenderness is called fibrocystic breast changes. These changes are caused by the swelling of very tiny fluid-filled cysts in fibrous tissue in the breast. The changes usually happen in both breasts 7 to 10 days before your menstrual period. They begin to go away when your period starts and are usually gone by the time your period ends.

Other causes of breast tenderness include:

• puberty (in boys as well as girls)
• pregnancy (In the first part of pregnancy, your breasts and nipples can become very tender to the touch and easily irritated. Breast pain later in pregnancy may be due to the weight of breasts that have become enlarged and heavy.)
• infection of the breast
• hormone imbalance, especially too much estrogen
• birth control pills
• breast-feeding, when the breasts become full of milk (engorged)
• injury of the breast
• a noncancerous tumor in the breast called a fibroma
• a condition called hyperprolactinemia, which means your body is producing a high level of the milk-producing hormone prolactin
• breast cancer, but often cancer does not cause any pain

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will carefully examine your breasts. He or she may recommend other tests, such as:

• a mammogram (a special X-ray of the breasts)
• an ultrasound scan of the breasts (a scan with sound waves)
• thermography of the breasts (a heat test that outlines the breast in a color pattern)
• a biopsy (removal of a small piece of tissue or fluid from the breast)
• examination of discharge from a nipple
• blood test

How is it treated?

There is a good chance you will not need any treatment. Treatments your healthcare provider may recommend are:

• Wear a bra that gives good support, especially if you exercise or have large breasts.
• Put heat on your breast with a heating pad or warm water bottle.
• Take mild, nonprescription pain pills as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Drink fewer or no beverages with caffeine. Avoid chocolate before your menstrual period.
• Take hormones or other medicine prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• If you have an infection, take the antibiotic prescribed by your healthcare provider.

If you are having discomfort from pregnancy-related breast changes, you maybe able to find relief by using a well-fitting maternity bra. These special bras are available at most maternity clothing stores. Some suggestions for finding a maternity bra that is right for you include:

• The straps should be wide and should not stretch very much. Be aware that over time elastic straps may lose their ability to stretch and, therefore, lose their ability to provide support.
• The cup should comfortably hold the entire breast and should fit it in such a way that the nipple is about at the midway level between the elbow and shoulder while your arms are resting by your side.
• The bra should be adjustable so that it can allow for changes to the growing breasts during pregnancy.

Surgery is rarely needed. However, if you have a breast cyst, your healthcare provider may drain or remove it. If you have a fibroma, your healthcare provider may remove it.

How can I take care of myself?

• Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for preventing and treating breast tenderness.
• Learn how to examine your breasts after your menstrual period every month. If you no longer have periods, examine your breasts at the same time each month, for example, on the first day of every month.
• If you notice that one breast is more tender than the other, or there is redness of the skin over an area of breast tenderness, contact your healthcare provider.
• If you seem to be having persistent problems with breast pain despite treatment, your healthcare provider.

Written by Anthony Angello, MD.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.