Breast pain? Let's analyze all the possible causes
When we experience breast pain, we quickly panic. This state of anxiety is harmful to health, therefore, rather than live with it, it is better to remove the doubt with a visit to the doctor. The causes of breast pain can be different, this is not always the alarm bell for serious illnesses. What to do then? In the meantime, you can start with a "breast self-examination: we show you how to do it in this video. Then, follow these tips!"
Breast pain: the bra may be to blame!
Even if you've never thought about it, bra can be the number one cause of breast pain. If it is too tight and tends to squeeze the two breasts together, it is obvious to feel the pain especially in the long run. This type of pain is called cycle-independent chest pain (mastalgia); it can also be caused by cysts or rapid weight gain. Severe back pain can also lead to chest pain.
Tip: If your breasts regularly get bigger with your period, wear a larger bra during those days. Better to choose a particularly comfortable model, without push-ups and uncomfortable underwire. Super comfortable are soft cup or bustier bras.
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Breast pain or muscle aches: what's the difference?
If you feel pain in your chest, your breasts may not go in. If you have done a workout in the gym that involved the upper body in particular, your muscles may be sore and sore. a very unpleasant pain and a pull in or under the chest, especially when you want to lift your arms.This chest pain is harmless enough.
In addition to sore muscles, it is also possible for chest pain to occur after running or skipping training. Here the cause is not so much unusual muscle work, but rather too little support. repeat, you should invest in a well-fitting sports bra that supports your breasts during training.
Breast pain and period are linked
Hormonal changes during periods can cause breast pain in some women (mastodynia). Most often, period-related chest pain occurs as symptoms of PMS one to two weeks before menstruation. Some women also feel an increased sensitivity to pressure in the breasts.
In the days before your period the mammary gland tissue changes and water retention can also cause the breasts to enlarge and thus become uncomfortably tight. These pains are fairly easy to classify and recognize, as they disappear again after menstruation.
Menopause can be the cause of breast pain
In many women, mastopathy, a benign change in the mammary glandular tissue, can also be responsible for breast pain. This form of change occurs frequently during menopause, when the entire female body changes, including the breasts.
However, mastopathy can also occur earlier, for example in the form of cysts, lumps and swellings. During menopause and due to hormonal changes, female sex hormones fail, the mammary gland tissue shrinks, which can also cause an unpleasant pain-like sensation.
Breast pain: when is it better to go to the doctor?
Whether chest pain is directly related to your period or not, it is always advisable to see a doctor. Only he will be able to examine and classify breast changes and make a diagnosis to rule out a possible risk of serious disease or to treat an existing disease.
If you feel pain especially in the left breast area, it is not necessary to immediately associate it with a heart attack.
Try to stay calm and observe these symptoms:
- Feel the chest tighten around the heart.
- Feel a strong pressure.
- You're short of breath.
- You have difficulty breathing.
- You have general malaise
- You're about to throw up.
- The pain radiates into the shoulder.
- Your jaw hurts.
- You have pain in the upper abdomen.
Symptoms of a heart attack in women differ significantly from those in men and are often not classified correctly. That's why if you have even the slightest suspicion, call 911.
Breast pain in pregnancy
Strong physical changes during pregnancy are clearly felt in the breast as well. During pregnancy, the breasts prepare for the production of breast milk. Pulling pain similar to PMS symptoms can also occur during the first trimester.
Especially after childbirth, ie during breastfeeding, many mothers complain of breast pain. If the breast does not soften again after breastfeeding, it can be a sign of mastitis. Although rare, mastitis can develop regardless of pregnancy. Better to contact your doctor immediately for a thorough check.
The influence of artificial hormones
A known side effect of estrogen-containing medications, such as the contraceptive pill, is chest pain. Other hormone-containing drugs, for example to treat acne, high blood pressure or hair loss, can also cause breast pain.
Breast cancer: is chest pain a symptom?
The first thing that comes to mind when we feel breast pain is cancer. But it is important to know that this serious disease, in the early stages, does not cause any disturbances or symptoms. This makes it even more important to have regular mammograms.
What can you do? Palpate the breasts one week after the start of the last menstruation. Because then the breasts are particularly soft and the changes feel better.
Through careful palpation and observation, some changes can be seen, which can also be simply optical: retractions or depressions of the nipples or a change in the size of the breast. All of these are warning signs that should definitely be clarified by a specialist doctor.
