Breast pain

• chronic cystic mastitis
  • tenderness at midcycle or just before a menstrual period, when estrogen levels are at their peak; both breasts are usually involved; the breasts are not necessarily lumpy

• puberty (in girls near the onset of menstruation)
• approaching menopause
• early pregnancy
• estrogen therapy
• milk engorgement after childbirth, especially if breastfeeding
• normal hormonal fluctuations
• medications such as digitalis preparations, aldomet, aldactone (Potassium-sparing diuretics - oral), anadrol, and chlorpromazine
• alcoholism with liver damage
• injury (such as a bite)
• nipple problems
• shingles (pain in only one breast)
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Note: There may be other causes of breast pain. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for breast pain, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
Wear a well-fitting brassiere for support, especially for large breasts. A monthly breast self-examination is important. Follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.

For mastitis , avoid caffeine and try vitamin E supplements and a diet low in fat and high in carbohydrates .

An injury to the breast surface that shows evidence of infection should be treated with antibiotics.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

• there is any abnormal discharge from the nipples.
• there is prolonged, unexplained breast pain.

What to Expect:
A history will be obtained and a breast examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting breast pain in detail include:

• Are both breasts affected?
• Is there any nipple discharge ?
• Do you perform breast self-examination ?
• Have you noticed any lumps or anything unusual when you examine your breasts?
• What other symptoms are also present? Is there fever ?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• breast biopsy
• culture of body fluids
• cytology (cell studies) of nipple discharge
• mammography
• thermography (similar to mammogram )

Intervention:
Analgesics may be prescribed.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider as to the cause of breast pain, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.


This illustration shows an anatomical cross-section, both side and front views, of the female breast.