Why do the nipples of the mammary glands hurt? Why nipples hurt in women: diseases, symptoms, diagnosis

There are many various reasons for nipple pain - from allergies to washing powder to discomfort associated with a bra that doesn't fit the right size. Nipple pain is a common occurrence during menstruation, pregnancy or breastfeeding.

There are also more serious reasons, such as infections or cancer. Therefore, women who are bothered by obsessive pain in the nipples should visit a doctor to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Symptoms of sore juices vary among women. Some call their nipples painful and too sensitive, others complain of sharp pain or pain that is accompanied by itching.

In this material we will look at possible causes of nipple pain.

The content of the article:

Why do my nipples hurt?

1. Friction

Nipple soreness can result from friction with clothing during sports.

Friction is a common cause of this type of pain. Friction occurs when nipples come into contact with clothing or a loose bra. This often happens during physical activity - when a woman jogs, does fitness, or plays basketball.

Rubbing the nipple often causes pain and burning. The skin in this situation may become dry or cracked.

Long-term training increases periods of harmful effects. Therefore, women who are sensitive to friction may take additional measures precautions such as using surgical tape to protect the nipples.

2. Infections

Nipples that have been damaged by friction, an allergic reaction, or are cracked or bleeding are at high risk of infection. Lactation and breastfeeding can also cause infection.

There is a possibility of yeast infections on the nipples, in particular Candida albicans. This may be the result of damage to nearby tissue, recent use of antibiotics, or if the woman has previously had fungal infections.

Yeast infections, also known as thrush, often cause a burning sensation in the nipples. The burning pain does not go away even if you get rid of the sources of friction. The nipples may turn a bright pink color, and the areolas usually become reddish and flaky.

Many breastfeeding mothers describe thrush as severe, burning pain, which occurs immediately after feeding. The child may also show signs of infection.

Mastitis, or inflammation of the mammary gland, sometimes appears during pregnancy if milk stagnates in the milk ducts. The bacteria may appear in the canal and begin to spread. This type of infection causes swelling, redness, and inflammation of the breast and nipple.

Mastitis must be treated with antibiotics. If this disease is left untreated, it can take the form of an abscess. Any woman who has the following symptoms along with breast and nipple pain should see a doctor:

fever or chills;
breast warm to touch;
redness of the skin on the chest or nipples;
irregular swelling of the chest.

3. Allergies or atopic dermatitis

Washing powders and fabric softeners can aggravate painful condition skin

Pain and irritation accompanied by flaky, hard, or blistered skin may be signs of an allergic reaction or atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Certain household products can irritate nipples and aggravate existing ones. skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. The list of these products includes:

body lotions;
washing powders;
soap;
shaving creams;
fabric softeners;
flavorings;
fabrics.

Other symptoms of an allergic reaction include red or cracked skin around the nipples and areola, and constant itching. In some cases, a skin rash may appear.

Appropriate anti-inflammatory creams can treat mild cases of allergies, but if the rash or redness gets worse, spreads, and does not respond to creams, you should discuss the condition with your doctor.

4. Sexual contact

Sexual activity can also cause nipple pain. Rubbing bodies and foreplay with nipples can cause pain. Usually in such cases there is temporary pain, which just needs time to get rid of.

Using nipple moisturizers can help minimize friction and prevent symptoms from worsening.

5. Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes associated with menstrual cycles can be a factor that exacerbates breast tenderness. Typically, a woman begins to feel symptoms the day before her period begins, when estrogen and progesterone levels rise, which attracts additional fluid to the mammary glands.

Pain associated with hormonal changes, usually subsides when menstruation begins. If the pain continues for several days, the woman should talk to her doctor about it.

6. Cancer and Paget's disease

Sometimes nipple pain along with other symptoms can be a sign of more serious problems such as cancer, although tumors do not usually cause pain. Nipple pain caused by cancer usually affects only one breast or one nipple.

Paget's disease is a rare type of cancer that, among other things, affects the nipples. It usually appears together with a tumor in the same breast. Women with Paget's disease and breast cancer may experience the following symptoms:

flattened or inverted nipple;
yellowish or bloody discharge from juice;
itching or tingling sensation;
red, scaly, or crusty skin around the nipple and areola.

Paget's disease and breast cancer are diagnosed by examining the affected cells. Paget's disease - a rare event, but women who are unsure about their symptoms and want to be on the safe side should go to the doctor.

7. Pregnancy

Nipple pain is also common in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. In such conditions, the breasts usually become larger and more sensitive. The nipples and areola darken and often cause pain to the woman. Small bumps may appear around the nipples.

A well-fitted bra can reduce friction and alleviate soreness. Some pregnant women find it helpful to wear a supportive bra while sleeping. This method can also help reduce pain in the nipples and breasts of recent mothers.

Special cooling gels can also help soothe sore nipples in nursing mothers.

8. Breastfeeding

A breastfeeding mother may experience nipple pain due to the baby's improper latch on the breast.

Breastfeeding is another common cause of nipple pain. This is mainly due to the baby's nipple latching technique. If the baby does not cover the breast wide enough with his mouth, the nipple will be located near the gums and hard palate. Babies should latch deeply so that the nipples are at the back of the mouth.

When a breastfeeding mother uses a breast pump, it can also lead to nipple pain, which is usually caused by using too much suction or using the wrong breast shield. Discomfort can be reduced by adjusting the breast pump so that it makes contact with the nipple more comfortably. You can also purchase a more suitable funnel.

When a child begins to teethe, there is an additional reason for pain. The fixation of the nipple often changes, and sometimes the baby may even bite his mother on the soft and sensitive tissue. Breastfeeding mothers can try to encourage the baby to place the breast deeper into the mouth. This will make it more difficult for him to find the nipples with his teeth.

If a baby squeezes the nipple too hard between the gums and the top of the mouth, it can restrict blood flow to the nipple and lead to a condition called vasospasm. In such cases, the nipples become painful and in quick succession turn white, then red, and then purple.

What to do for nipple pain and how to treat it?

Nipple pain caused by friction can be prevented by wearing a properly fitting sports bra, soft synthetic clothing, or nipple protection. Some creams or ointments may also reduce friction. Nursing mothers must monitor the feeding process or use the services of a consultant who will help the child develop good habits during consumption of mother's milk. Sore nipples caused by hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy may respond well to heat and pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Paracetamol). Breast cancer is usually treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatment for mild cases of Paget's disease usually involves removing the nipples and giving radiation to the affected breasts. In some cases, complete breast removal may be necessary.

When should you see a doctor?

In the vast majority of cases nipple pain does not pose a serious threat to the body and goes away immediately after the main cause is eliminated. Those women who experience regular symptoms should make an appointment with their doctor. He will diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment.

Nipple pain – symptom which most often worries women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In these cases, the problem is not always associated with any diseases, and is easily solved.

In non-pregnant women, pain in the nipples often indicates some kind of pathology. Pain in the nipples also occurs in men - as a rule, this happens with endocrine disorders.

There are a large number of pathologies that can lead to such pain in women. This symptom can manifest itself in different ways and have certain characteristics in each individual case. The more detailed a woman talks about them at a doctor’s appointment, the more accurately the doctor will be able to identify the cause of the pain and establish correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment:
1. Pathological pain in the nipples can bother you before, during and after menstruation, or may not be associated with the menstrual cycle at all.
2. The nature of the pain can be sharp, stabbing, pulling, aching, etc.

Pain in the nipples may be the only symptom, or accompanied by discharge, hardening, etc.

Nipple pain during pregnancy

Pain in the nipples during pregnancy - often normal phenomenon, which, as a rule, does not indicate any pathology. Usually pain and others discomfort they begin to worry even when the first delay of menstruation has not yet occurred. This condition is called hypersensitivity of the nipples of pregnant women.

Why does it occur?

Almost immediately after fertilization occurs, hormonal changes begin in a woman’s body. A large amount of the hormone prolactin is released. It causes rapid growth of breast tissue, including the nipple. Its size increases, and milk ducts develop in it. Nerves “do not keep up” with other tissues in their growth. As a result, pain occurs in the nipples and breasts.

In the early stages of pregnancy, many women report pain, burning, itching, and other unpleasant sensations in the nipples. They are especially aggravated if you wear underwear that is not very comfortable, compresses or rubs the skin. When irritated by a bra, the nipples of pregnant women can become very hard and become even more sensitive (a condition commonly referred to as “stiff nipples”).

What to do?

Most often, pain in the nipples during pregnancy does not require any special assistance. Over time it goes away on its own. This will not create any problems for breastfeeding child in the future. A woman should wear high-quality, comfortable cotton underwear to avoid nipple irritation and increased pain. Of course, you need to carefully observe personal hygiene.

Nipple pain during breastfeeding

Common Causes

Pain in the nipples of the mammary glands during breastfeeding is a very common complaint made by young mothers. There are a fairly large number of reasons for the occurrence this symptom.

When a woman begins to breastfeed, the skin in the nipple area changes slightly: it becomes denser and rougher. This is necessary in order to protect it from constant mechanical impact. At the same time, milk constantly flowing from the nipple can soften the skin and cause irritation. This most often happens if a nursing mother constantly wears a bra or wet breast pads. As a result, nipple pain may occur during feeding.

In some women, the nipple is anatomically not quite correct form. The most common situation is the so-called inverted nipple. In this case, the baby cannot latch onto the breast correctly for a long time, does not eat enough during feeding, and the woman experiences pain in the nipple of the mammary gland. The only way out from this situation is the use of special nipple covers by a woman during breastfeeding.

During pregnancy, and then during breastfeeding, women are instructed to carefully maintain personal hygiene. But if you wash your nipples hot water with soap too often, this can lead to excessive dryness. As a result, during each feeding the woman will experience pain in her nipples.

In general, during breastfeeding, any mechanical irritation and damage to the nipple can lead to pain while feeding the baby. For example, pain in the nipple during feeding can occur when scratching or using a towel that is too hard.

Pain in the nipple during feeding can manifest itself as any injury or surgery on a woman’s breast that occurred in the past, even when she was still a little girl.

If a woman produces a very large amount of milk, then, accumulating in the breasts, it can lead to pain. They can occur during feedings, or in the interval between them. This condition is called lactostasis.

Another factor that can lead to nipple pain during feeding, but which women do not always pay attention to, is the use of uncomfortable breast pumps that do not fit well to the breast.

Incorrect attachment of the baby to the breast

If the baby is not attached to the breast quite correctly, then feeding may be accompanied by pain and other unpleasant sensations in the woman’s chest:
1. When a baby takes the breast, his lips should cover the nipple itself and the areola (the small pigmented area of skin around the nipple). If the baby occupies a smaller area with his mouth, this can cause pain to the woman. It is also incorrect to grasp the nipple when the child draws his lips inward.
2. Poor support for the baby's head during feeding. Correct posture provides for its position on the mother's elbow. Some mothers support their baby's head in their palm - this is not entirely correct.
3. Sometimes women make a “dimple” on their chest so that the baby’s nose is comfortable during feeding. Because of this “dimple,” the nipple moves to the side. The child does not grasp it quite correctly. As a result, a woman may experience nipple pain during feeding. It would seem a trivial reason, but often it is the source of all problems.
4. While feeding the baby, a woman should support her breasts from below, especially if the latter has big sizes. This can be done with the palm of your hand, or use a special nursing bra. If there is no such support, then the breast puts pressure on the baby’s jaws, he squeezes the nipple more strongly and causes pain to the mother.

Pain in the nipples of the mammary glands during feeding can occur due to the baby’s improper grasping of them as a result of a malocclusion. The most common reason for this is the use of pacifiers, especially if they do not have a completely physiological shape.

Pain in the nipples during feeding due to blockage of the external opening of the mammary duct

Sometimes, after pain appears during feeding, a woman may notice a small formation on the nipple that resembles a pimple. Most likely, in this case we are talking about blockage of the external opening of the mammary duct. This condition is known as milk blister. It can occur for two reasons:
1. Incorrect attachment of the baby to the breast. Most often, the baby simply grasps the nipple incorrectly, and therefore injures it. To cope with this situation, it is enough to simply master the technique of correctly attaching a child to the breast.
2. Clogging of the ducts with “hind” milk from the mammary glands, which is fattier and thicker.

Some women, starting to experience pain in their nipples during feeding, and discovering milk bubbles, mistake them for pimples and squeeze them out. This should not be done under unsterile conditions. It is best to have the milk vesicle pierced by a doctor - this will reduce the risk of infection and the development of an inflammatory process. In principle, this can be done independently at home with a regular syringe needle, if you comply with the following requirements:
1. Before puncture, the area where the milk sac is located must be thoroughly disinfected (for example, using medical alcohol).
2. Hands must be washed thoroughly and also treated with alcohol.
3. After the puncture, the intervention site should be treated with iodine or brilliant green solution.

Cracked nipples

Cracked nipples are a fairly common condition in breastfeeding women. They are defects of the nipple itself and the areola - the pigmented area of skin surrounding it.

Most often, cracked nipples are a consequence of the baby’s improper attachment to the breast, when he injures him with his jaws.

This causes severe pain in the nipples during feeding. Often it is so intense that it forces a woman to give up breastfeeding. Other signs of cracked nipples:

If the capillaries located under the skin of the nipple are damaged, the defect bleeds.
Sometimes an inflammatory process can develop in cracked nipples: swelling, redness, and increased pain are noted.
If an infection penetrates into the crack, this can cause purulent inflammation of the mammary gland - mastitis.

The cause of pain in the nipples due to cracks is very easy to determine - by examination. Treatment consists of properly attaching the baby to the breast, lubricating the nipples with milk, sea buckthorn oil, oil solution vitamin E, panthenol, other creams and ointments.

To prevent pain in the nipples caused by cracks, special pads are used, which are sold in pharmacies.

Wrong selection of underwear

Pain in the nipples can bother a woman if she wears low-quality or incorrectly selected underwear. It can put pressure on the breasts, and the stitches can rub the nipples.

Increased nipple sensitivity

Increased sensitivity nipples - a condition that should rather be attributed not to diseases, but to individual characteristics female body. The skin of the nipples of such women is very rich in nerve endings, so they react painfully to any, even minor, mechanical irritations. For example, this could be wearing underwear that is not very comfortable, using a towel that is too hard, or rubbing your nipples too intensely while washing in the bath or shower.

You can prevent pain in the nipples due to their increased sensitivity by using comfortable and precisely sized underwear made from high-quality materials. The doctor may also recommend using special creams.

Pain in the nipples of the mammary glands can be provoked by the following irritants:

Chemicals and dyes for fabrics. Therefore, before putting on new underwear, it is advisable to wash it thoroughly.
Chemical detergents, washing powders, bleaches, conditioners (after washing, clothes must be rinsed well.
Soaps, gels, body lotions and other personal hygiene products.
Cosmetics elements: powders, deodorants, etc.
Creams and ointments that are used to treat various diseases of the nipples; they, in turn, can act as irritants.

Nipple pain before menstruation

PMS

Some women experience chest pain before menstruation for no apparent reason. Sometimes this symptom is considered a manifestation of PMS.

Pain in the nipples before menstruation during PMS occurs as a result of hormonal changes occurring in the female body. An increase in the level of hormones in the blood leads to the fact that the milk ducts and sinuses in the mammary gland grow and increase in size. In addition, there is a slight swelling of the nipple due to increased blood flow.

Fibrocystic mastopathy

Often, pain in the nipples before menstruation accompanies fibrocystic mastopathy. This is a disease in which there is a pathological growth connective tissue in the mammary gland.

At fibrocystic mastopathy Pain in the nipples and mammary glands occurs before menstruation, as well as other symptoms:
1. The presence of lumps in the breast, the number and size of which can vary greatly.
2. Discharge from the nipples, most often transparent.

It is very characteristic of mastopathy that all the symptoms appear immediately before menstruation, and with their arrival they decrease or disappear completely. However, over time, the pathology progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced and lasting.

Pain in the nipples before menstruation with mastopathy can vary in intensity and nature. At first they are not very pronounced and quickly pass, reminiscent of the manifestation of premenstrual syndrome. In the future, each time they become more and more intensified, they bother not only before menstruation, but also during them.

In order to understand in time that pain in the nipples is caused precisely by mastopathy, every woman should be able to independently examine her mammary glands. This is done very simply. First, an examination is performed in the mirror, and you need to pay attention to the symmetry of the mammary glands, their location, and the presence of deformations. This is followed by palpation in a standing and lying position. The chest is felt, making movements from axillary area to the nipple.

The final diagnosis is established after ultrasound and mammography (X-ray examination of the mammary glands). Treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy involves the use of hormonal and non-hormonal medications and surgery.

If the first and third treatment options are more likely to radical methods, then treatment with non-hormonal drugs is characterized by a much lower risk of developing side effects. At the same time registered medications have proven effectiveness.

Nipple pain after menstruation

Sometimes pain in the nipples of women occurs after menstruation. The main causes of this symptom are:
1. Hormonal disorders in organism. This produces increased amount female sex hormones. During menstruation, this process intensifies, resulting in pain in the nipples of the breast after menstruation.
2. Rare sexual intercourse. At the same time, a large amount of sex hormones accumulates in a woman’s body. Often such manifestations cause big problems for women with low sexual activity.
3. In addition, pain in the nipples after menstruation can be a symptom of fibrocystic mastopathy. Usually pain syndrome initially occurs before menstruation, then continues during and after it.

Young people should pay especially close attention to their health. nulliparous girls who are bothered by chest pain after menstruation. If this symptom appears, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Mastitis

Pain in the nipple combined with redness and other signs of the inflammatory process are characteristic signs of mastitis, an infectious and inflammatory disease of the mammary gland. In this case, we are talking about a form of pathology when the inflammatory focus is located in the nipple area, and most often is a consequence of the penetration of infection through its crack. The second common cause of pathology is lactostasis (stagnation of milk in the breast and its infection).

Symptoms of mastitis are characteristic of an inflammatory disease:
1. Acute sharp pain and redness of the nipple.
2. Increased body temperature, general malaise.
3. Swelling of the mammary gland in the nipple area, deformation. Standing in front of the mirror, a woman notices the asymmetry of the right and left mammary glands.
4. Significant increase in pain when pressing on the nipple.

Subsequently, the mammary gland swells even more and increases in size. The skin in the nipple area becomes tense and hot to the touch. The pain intensifies, becomes even sharper, touches are very painful. In the future, if there is no treatment, an abscess (ulcer) may form in the nipple area. With an abscess, pain persists, but the mammary gland becomes softer, and pus may be released from the nipple.

Suspicion of psoriasis should arise if red spots of irregular shape are found at the site of pain.

A dermatologist diagnoses and treats psoriasis. Therapy is selected for each patient individually.

Eczema

Eczema is a non-infectious skin disease that can affect the nipple area and manifest itself in the form of pain, itching, burning, redness, blisters, weeping, and crusts.
With eczema, pain in the nipples is more like itching or burning. The disease can occur in acute, subacute or chronic form.

When painful sensations and rashes in the nipple area, a woman should consult a dermatologist. The diagnosis is easily established after an external examination. Treatment for each woman is selected individually.

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal disease that is caused by fungi of the genus Candida and can affect the skin and mucous membranes. Sometimes the pathological process is localized in the nipple area. In this case, the woman has been bothered by pain in the nipple area for a long time. Other symptoms in the nipple area that occur with breast candidiasis:

swelling and inflammation are observed for a long time;
cracks;
small bubbles.

If a woman develops candidiasis of the nipples while breastfeeding, the baby may eventually develop stomatitis.

With candidiasis of the nipples, signs of candidiasis of the mucous membranes are observed: vagina, digestive tract.

The cause of pain in the nipples due to candidiasis is determined by a dermatologist. Antifungal treatment is prescribed.

Herpes

Herpes is a viral disease that can affect the skin in different areas bodies. Sometimes the lesions may be located in the nipple area. In this case, itchy pain and other symptoms are noted:
1. Redness of the skin in the nipple area and the appearance of small bubbles on it, inside of which there is a clear liquid.
2. Subsequently, the bubbles burst with the formation of a crust.
3. Then the crusts fall off, and pink spots remain in their place.

Itching and pain in the nipples during herpes virus infection can have varying strength and intensity, depending on what type of virus causes the disease.

If acute pain in the nipples and symptoms resembling a herpes virus infection occur, a woman should consult a gynecologist or dermatologist as soon as possible. The herpes virus poses a particular danger to a child in a pregnant woman.

Treatment consists of prescribing antiviral agents for external use (creams, ointments, solutions).

Impetigo

Impetigo - cutaneous inflammatory disease, in which a large number of pustules are formed. At their location there is pain, itching, and redness.

The development of nipple impetigo is caused by the penetration of pathogens into the skin during minor injuries. For example, this is facilitated by cracked nipples, their rubbing with uncomfortable underwear etc. The most common pathogens are streptococci and staphylococci.

Acute pain in the nipple area with impetigo is combined with the following symptoms:

formation of pustules on the skin that have a characteristic appearance;
redness, swelling of the skin in the affected area;
after the pustules open, they turn into crusts;
after the crusts fall off, small ulcers remain in their place;
The general condition of the woman may also be disturbed: body temperature rises, general malaise is noted, etc.

The diagnosis of impetigo is easily established during direct examination. Treatment involves the prescription of antibacterial drugs.

Stitching pain in the nipple due to nerve damage

The skin of the nipple area is very rich in nerve endings and is highly sensitive. Nerve damage may be accompanied by stabbing pains in the nipple. Such an injury can occur at the moment of impact, or as a complication during breast surgery. It is characteristic that in this case pain occurs only in the right or left nipple - that is, in the one that was injured.

Stitching pain in the nipple of nervous origin can bother a woman for a short time, and then disappear without a trace. Sometimes, on the contrary, it is very long-lasting and requires long and persistent treatment.

Pain of muscular origin

Sometimes nipple pain can be associated with muscle pathologies:
1. Constant excessive tension of the chest muscles as a result of poor posture, prolonged uncomfortable posture at work, wearing an uncomfortable bra;
2. Fibromyalgia is a disease characteristic symptom which are muscle pain.

In these conditions, pain does not occur in the nipple itself, but is only reflected into it.

Paget's disease

Paget's disease is a special type of breast cancer that mainly affects women over 50 years of age, but can develop at older ages. early age. Pain in the nipples is quite typical for her.

Paget's disease is insidious in that its symptoms are often early stages are not very pronounced, and resemble eczema. Swelling, redness, peeling, and itching may appear in the nipple area. These signs are so weakly expressed that a woman often does not even attach importance to them. Then comes an imaginary improvement. Subsequently, more unpleasant symptoms appear, such as severe itching, burning, tingling, pain in the nipples. Droplets of blood are released from them.

It is impossible to diagnose Paget's cancer with an external examination alone. If the doctor has such a suspicion, he prescribes a biopsy - an examination of an area of nipple skin under a microscope.

Nipple pain in men

Pain in the nipples can bother not only women, but also men. There are a large number of pathological conditions that can manifest as nipple pain in men:
1. Maturation of the body during adolescence. There is pain in the nipples when touched. This condition is temporary. It is related to hormonal changes.
2. Nipple injuries. These could be bruises, cuts, etc.
3. Penetration of infection. In this case, the man develops purulent inflammation in the nipple area, which strongly resembles mastitis.
4. Gynecomastia is an endocrine disease in which a man’s breasts enlarge and become similar to a woman’s. This causes pain in the nipples. There are true gynecomastia, caused by the appearance of full-fledged mammary glands, and false, in which it simply grows adipose tissue. Pain can be experienced in both cases. An endocrinologist deals with the diagnosis and treatment of gynecomastia.
5. Diabetes . This disease is manifested not only by an increase in blood sugar levels. Significant endocrine changes occur in the diabetic body.
6. Pathologies of the testicles, adrenal glands, pituitary gland. These glands are responsible for the normal production of male sex hormones. If their work is disrupted, then estrogens begin to predominate in the body.
7. The phenomenon of rollback during a course of taking anabolic steroids - more precisely, immediately after its completion. The fact is that many steroids, being analogues of testosterone, can undergo aromatization in the blood and be converted into female sex hormones - estrogens. In addition, they suppress the production own testosterone. After completing the course, many athletes and bodybuilders experience gynecomastia, nipple pain, and testicles decrease in size.
8. Breast cancer in men. Quite a rare condition. In this case, the man experiences pain in the nipples for a long time, as well as discharge from them. Before use, you should consult a specialist.

State female breast - important indicator health. If a woman has sore nipples, this is often a symptom of many serious illnesses. Therefore, ignore this sign no way.

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The main causes of nipple pain

The female breast is one of the most sensitive areas in the body of the fair sex. In this case, the highest sensitivity is observed in the nipple area. After all, the skin there is very thin and delicate.

Women's nipples can hurt due to natural physiological processes in the body. These include:

gestation period;
lactation;
premenstrual syndrome.

Very often, pain in the nipples appears due to long-term use hormonal medications or antidepressants.

Among the diseases, the symptoms of which are pain in the nipple area, include such ailments as:

breast cyst;
mastopathy;
breast cancer

In addition, during the postpartum period, the development of pain in the nipples can be caused by diseases such as:

lactostasis;
mastitis;
damage nerve fibers pacifier.

Pain in the nipple area that begins after menstruation indicates various hormonal changes in the body, up to and including significant hormonal imbalance. In this case, it is advisable to visit a doctor.

Often the nipples swell and become painful during the use of hormonal contraceptives. In this case, the cause of pain may be excessive dosage or wrong choice contraceptive. You need to solve such a problem only together with a specialist.

Mental disorders, stressful situations, emotional shocks, depression and other disturbances in psychological comfort can cause pain in the nipples. Especially if the stress on the nervous system continues for a long time.

Cyclic mastodynia

Cyclic mastodynia causes nipple pain at certain times menstrual cycle. The reason for this is an increase in the level of progesterone in the blood. This hormone, when interacting with certain biologically active substances can cause an increase in fluid levels in the mammary gland and in the body as a whole. The intense release of progesterone during this period also causes pain in the lower abdomen. The nature of the pain is usually nagging, aching, but quite tolerable.

Blood flow to the breasts increases markedly, causing an increase in overall volume. The level of impact on the nerve endings located in the mammary glands increases. This causes a noticeable increase in the level of nipple sensitivity. In some cases it is possible severe pain at the moment of touch.

On the eve of menstruation, in women prone to premenstrual syndrome, the breasts become sensitive and noticeably swell. The nipple becomes swollen and rough. The main reason in this case is the increased production of prolactin and progesterone. Nipples may hurt during or after ovulation.

The duration of this process is no more than 7 days before menstruation. If menstruation is delayed, this period increases. Beginning of active blood secretion critical days Helps reduce fluid levels in the body. Nipple soreness goes away. This process is natural, so no treatment is usually required.

Puberty

During puberty, a girl’s body begins to prepare for future motherhood. During this period, the breasts rapidly grow and develop. The mammary glands gradually grow and require more volume to accommodate them. The nipples increase in size.

In some cases, this process is painful. Mild pain and some inconveniences caused by changes in the body will have to be endured. To avoid serious problems, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Especially if the pain does not become intense and does not go away over time. When puberty ends, the girl’s pain caused by the restructuring of the body stops.

Relief of nipple pain

Physiological pain in the nipple area that occurs during the premenstrual period or during pregnancy and breastfeeding can be significantly reduced without treatment. To do this you need:

avoid touching that causes discomfort;
wear comfortable underwear made from natural fabrics and without seams;
select chest jewelry so as to avoid accidentally touching painful areas;
properly care for the skin of your breasts and nipples.

Noncyclic mastalgia

When pain in the mammary glands is not associated with hormonal changes, non-cyclic mastalgia occurs. Its main reasons are:

neoplasms in the mammary glands;
inflammatory processes in the chest area;
metabolic disorders in the body;
intercostal neuralgia;
pituitary dysfunction;
adrenal diseases;
central disorder nervous system;
liver dysfunction.

Nipples in girls and women often begin to hurt due to prolonged emotional experiences and stressful situations. Some hormonal contraceptives, if used for a long time, cause hormonal imbalance in the body.

In this case, it is necessary to be examined by a doctor in order to identify painful processes in the body and carry out the necessary treatment course.

Benign breast tumors

With the development of breast neoplasms, pain in the nipple is one-sided or affects both nipples. Pain or discomfort in the nipple-areola area can only occur with tactile contact or light pressure on the nipple. Change external signs the nipple indicates internal pathologies, so you need to have it examined by a doctor.

Mastopathy is a pathology of the mammary gland, causing the appearance various benign neoplasms in the chest area. This disease often causes pain in the nipples, which intensifies when touched or lightly pressed. An additional symptom of mastopathy is nipple discharge, transparent or whitish. When cancerous tumor the discharge becomes bloody.

Allergic reactions, injuries and skin conditions

Allergic reactions, causing pain and irritation in the nipple-areola area, sometimes caused by synthetic underwear. In some cases it is possible contact dermatitis, its reason is the use of incorrectly selected cosmetics. Some gels, creams or soaps can be harsh on the skin. As a result, pain in the nipples, irritation and inflammation of the skin begins. If the situation is left unattended, the nipple-areola area may become infected.

Pain in the nipples may appear after a blow or injury to the chest area. For example, in case of a fall, accident, traffic accident, etc. Bleeding begins on the nipples or near the nipple areolas or a hematoma appears. In this case, severe pain is possible. Therefore, you need to immediately seek help from a specialist.

Dry skin of the nipples and areolas occurs when the body is overcooled or overheated. In some cases, drying of the skin in the nipple-areola areas is associated with the individual properties of the skin.

Oncological diseases

Beginning breast cancer causes pain in the nipples and the appearance of characteristic nodules on the areola. An additional cause for concern in this case is a change in skin color, shape and size of the nipple or mammary gland as a whole, and increased sensitivity.

In this case, you should visit a gynecologist or mammologist for an examination. Women and girls who constantly experience pain in their nipples on the eve of menstruation should carefully examine their nipples after the end of their period. This will allow timely detection dangerous manifestations, consult a doctor and prevent dangerous consequences.

Stimulation, piercing and tattooing

Pain in the nipples can begin due to overly intense breast stimulation. The nipple-areola area in women and girls is very sensitive. Therefore, when too active stimulation The delicate tissues of this area are easily damaged. Damage and excessive blood flow caused by intense breast stimulation often causes nipple pain.

Modern fashion trends, for example, nipple piercing or tattooing of the nipple area, often cause pain in the nipple. Especially if these procedures were carried out by non-professionals and without compliance hygiene standards. If the piercing is performed incorrectly, the milk ducts may be blocked. This causes severe pain.

Skin irritation resulting from tattooing can cause inflammation of the nipple and the entire mammary gland. Especially if the procedure was carried out in unsanitary conditions.

Therefore, piercing or tattooing on the chest of a woman or girl should only be done in a special clinic by a trusted specialist. Otherwise, numerous health problems are possible.

Dangerous symptoms

Constant chest pain that is not associated with physiological processes is an alarming signal, especially if the intensity of pain gradually increases.

In this case, you must definitely visit a specialist.

Pain in the mammary glands and especially in the nipples can be varying degrees intensity. There may be a slight tingling sensation and mild discomfort upon accidental touching. At strong problems With health, pain in the nipples becomes sharp, intensified, and sometimes unbearable. In this case, pain may be felt in the area of the shoulder blade, shoulder or forearm.

Mandatory consultation with a doctor is required if such additional signs, How:

nipple discharge not associated with lactation;
swelling of the nipple area;
redness or erosion;
bleeding nipples;
change in the shape, size or color of the nipple (or areola);
swelling of one or both breasts;
the appearance of a rash or cracks on the nipples;
itching and burning in the area of the nipples and areolas;
temperature rise to +38°;
vomiting, nausea, indigestion;
sudden general weakness.

In this case, it is possible to start cancer diseases mammary glands. After the examination, the gynecologist will prescribe a breast biopsy in addition to the above tests.

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosis of pain in the nipples is carried out through such measures as:

anamnestic conversation with the patient;
examination of the breasts using palpation;
mammography;
Ultrasound in the area of pain and surrounding areas;
blood test to determine hormonal levels.

Treatment methods

Depending on the cause, nipple pain is treated with different remedies. A specific course of treatment can only be drawn up by a doctor after examining the patient.

Sore nipples can be treated with remedies such as:

Actovegin ointment;
Solcoseryl ointment;
oral antibiotics;
immunomodulators;
anti-inflammatory non-steroids;
analgesics;
Danazol;
restoratives.

Folk remedies

Cracked nipples can be treated castor oil. To do this, you need to carefully wash your breasts and dry them with a soft cloth. Lubricate the nipple-areola area with castor oil. Lie down for about a quarter of an hour with your chest open so that the oil is absorbed.

If damaged nipples bleed, apply oil as described above. Cover the greased area with compress paper and put on a bodice from natural fabric.

To disinfect and heal cracks and soften the skin, the surface of the nipple is lubricated with a solution of brilliant green. The next layer is Vaseline.

For cooking homemade ointment you need to pour 200 ml of vegetable oil into an enamel bowl or small saucepan. Add 20-30 g of natural honeycomb wax (a lump the size of a matchbox). Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring occasionally to melt the wax.

Divide the yolk of 1 hard-boiled egg in half. Add the yolk in small portions, stirring the mixture so that it does not run away. Once foaming, remove from heat and stir in the rest of the yolk. Stir the resulting mixture thoroughly and strain through a nylon sieve. Before the next use on the nipples, the ointment must be warmed up to optimal temperature and consistency. Apply to a thick cloth and apply to damaged nipples.

Mix the grated apple with butter in equal parts, add a little carrot juice. Apply the prepared pulp onto a thick cloth or a special napkin and apply to the damaged nipple. Fix and leave for 2 or 3 hours. It is advisable to make such compresses up to 3 times a day at regular intervals.

Pain during pregnancy and feeding

For many women, especially first-time mothers, nipple pain is the main sign of the onset of pregnancy. This is due to preparation for future lactation and breastfeeding of the baby.

After conception, the expectant mother begins to receive significant amount blood. Due to the release of prolactin, which is often called the pregnancy hormone, the ducts of the mammary gland gradually grow. Nerve tissue increases in volume more slowly. Therefore, the nerve fibers are very tense. This causes painful sensations in the pregnant woman's chest and a burning sensation. When touching or rubbing against underwear and clothing, the unpleasant sensations noticeably intensify.

As the fetus develops and the female body adapts to the new state, these processes are normalized, and painful sensations disappear completely or noticeably lose intensity.

After childbirth, the epithelium on the nipple and areola begins to change. A rougher layer of skin grows. This can cause pain in the woman. There is no need to worry in this case. After about 6-7 days the pain will go away.

Breastfeeding a baby is natural process, pleasant for mother and her baby. Therefore, during this period, some mistakes of the young mother may cause chest pain. This is especially common in primiparous women who do not have the necessary skills.

Nipple sensitivity increases significantly as a young mother and her baby get used to breastfeeding. Pain in the nipples can be caused by such things as:

incorrect position of the baby when sucking;
improper removal of the breast from the baby's mouth;
dry skin in the nipple area;
woman's mistakes when caring for her breasts;
the appearance of cracks and other skin damage in the nipple area;
accidental mechanical damage to the nipple.

The baby's head must be carefully supported when feeding. Otherwise, the baby will not be able to latch onto the nipple correctly. If the baby's head is not slightly elevated when sucking, the baby will not be able to swallow milk properly.

He will inevitably choke, cough, choke. This will cause the baby indigestion, difficulty breathing, emotional stress. Subsequently, such a situation can lead to the fact that the child refuses to breastfeed.

Often during feeding, the child injures the nipples and areolas of the mother's breast with his jaws. In this case, you can lubricate the sore nipple with breast milk, special gels and ointments, which the doctor will recommend.

Over time, the baby will learn to latch onto the breast correctly without retracting the lips. The nipple tissue will lose excessive sensitivity, and feeding will not be painful for the mother.

Gradual mastery of the feeding process by the child and mother, their adaptation to each other, proper care behind the chest and timely treatment various injuries will help get rid of any discomfort associated with breastfeeding.

It is still necessary to see a doctor. The specialist will give necessary recommendations, will teach a woman how to properly feed her baby, choose underwear and care for her nipples.

Reducing pain that occurs during breastfeeding, facilitate such measures as:

maintaining careful hygiene;
using special soap when washing your breasts;
softening the skin of the nipples with sea buckthorn oil;
protection of nipples from accidental damage;
use of special breast pads.

During feeding, the baby should completely grasp the nipple and areola with his lips. He needs to be gradually accustomed to this. In order for a child to learn to latch onto the breast correctly, you need to give up pacifiers and pacifiers. You only need to drink and feed your baby with a spoon.

When the next feeding is over, you should not pull the nipple out of the baby’s mouth. It will definitely squeeze the nipple, causing discomfort to the mother. This happens at a reflex level. To remove the nipple, the mother needs to spread her gums baby's lungs movement of the little finger. In this case, the baby will release the breast easily and immediately.

When cracks or other minor damage appears on the nipple of a nursing woman, the baby should not be fed with this breast until it is completely healed. Feeding is carried out healthy breasts. If the left nipple is damaged, only the right one should be used to feed the baby.

The damaged mammary gland is carefully and regularly lubricated with special ointments. Milk must be expressed regularly so as not to disrupt the lactation process.

Lactose in a nursing mother

Lactose is another cause of nipple pain during feeding. If there is an excessive amount of breast milk, the baby cannot completely empty the mother's breast. The milk stagnates and lumps form in the breast. Pain begins in the nipples and throughout the mammary gland.

Therefore, the remaining milk after feeding must be expressed. Another option for removing excess milk is frequent feeding child. Otherwise, infection, inflammation and increased pain will begin in the chest.

The production of breast milk in a nursing woman is regulated by the hormone oxytocin. If it is deficient, the following symptoms are possible:

engorgement of nipples and mammary glands;
swelling of the nipples;
redness of the nipple-areola area;
hyperthermia.

In particular difficult cases The mother is given an injection of oxytocin. To increase its production naturally massage and stimulation of the mammary glands is necessary.

Inflammation of the mammary glands

Mastitis or breastfeeding is an inflammation of the mammary glands. Breastfeeding often affects nursing mothers. In the absence of breastfeeding, fibrocystic mastitis may develop.

In a young mother, mastitis occurs when milk stagnates in the milk ducts. In non-breastfeeding girls and women, mastitis develops when the nipple and mammary gland become infected through minor injuries or when benign tumors form.

Antibiotics are used to treat mastitis, novocaine blockades, restorative agents. If necessary, purulent accumulations are opened to remove pus.

Helps cure mastitis and eliminate pain in the nipples:

compress, cold or warm;
treatment of cracks and other damage to the nipple;
massage of affected areas;
maintaining strict personal hygiene;
breast and nipple massage;
Regular pumping of milk.

Treatment of nipples during breastfeeding

To relieve pain and inflammation in the nipples, you can use cabbage leaves. It must be rinsed with running water and dried with a paper towel. Before applying to the breast, apply a little butter or bee honey. After placing the cabbage leaf on the chest, it is covered with a napkin.

Fresh cabbage, minced in a meat grinder, is mixed with yogurt. The resulting paste is applied to a thick cloth napkin and applied to the sore nipple. A retaining bandage is applied on top.

Cold compresses will help relieve swelling of the nipples. For them, you can use a napkin moistened cold water, or crushed ice. The ice compress should be applied for no more than 20 minutes.

To treat cracks and inflammation on the nipples or areolas, Purelan, Bepanten and other external preparations with a healing and anti-inflammatory effect are used. Use any medicine only with the permission of a doctor. Otherwise, you can cause serious harm to the baby.

To make it easier to express milk during mastitis, a young mother can use dry leaves of plants such as:

mint;
alder;
coltsfoot;
burdock.

Mint and burdock can be used in a mixture or separately. Dry raw materials must be brewed with boiling water for 2 minutes before application. Then apply the resulting paste onto gauze swab. Apply to your chest for a quarter of an hour. The procedure should be carried out before each feeding of the baby or before expressing the remaining milk.

Homemade ointment for lubricating the breasts is prepared from flax seeds. They need to be crushed into powder and mixed with butter or ghee to obtain a paste. After lubricating the chest, you need to apply a protective bandage and lie down for a while.

Hygiene standards

During breastfeeding, a young mother must observe the following hygiene standards:

daily shower with special gel;
daily change of bra;
removing drops of milk from the surface of the nipple with a special napkin or cotton pad moistened with boiled water;
timely healing of nipple injuries.

If your breasts are very tight and your lactation is excessive, it will be very difficult to express milk manually. In this case, it is better to purchase a breast pump. Your doctor's recommendations will help you choose the right device. The procedure for using a breast pump and the rules for caring for it are outlined in the attached instructions. During active lactation, use special pads that will absorb leaking milk.

A little about the bra

A bra is one of the most important items of women's underwear. He must have convenient form. The bra size must be selected according to your breast size. A too small, awkwardly shaped cup with rough back seams will inevitably irritate the nipple and surrounding breast area. This will cause discomfort and pain of varying intensity. Synthetic fabrics used in bras may cause nipple pain associated with allergic reactions on the composition of the canvas.

Many women, trying to correct their figure, wear shapewear. Its size must also be carefully selected. Wrapping your breasts too tightly with such underwear can cause nipple pain.

Prevention

It is not at all difficult to prevent nipple pain that is not associated with physiological processes in the body. To do this you need:

take proper care of your breasts;
use only special products to wash your breasts;
wear a comfortable bra made of natural fabric and without seams;
dress according to the season so as not to overcool or overheat your chest;
Healthy food;
to refuse from bad habits;
Visit a mammologist and gynecologist regularly.

During the cold season, the breasts must be kept warm. To do this, you need to wear an insulated bra with softly padded cups and dress according to the season. To prevent the skin from drying out, it must be lubricated with special ointments, gels, and oils to give it elasticity.

In extreme heat, the skin of the nipple-areola zones dries out from lack of moisture. During this period, you need to use special moisturizers to treat the skin. It is better to choose a bra from thin natural fabric. The main thing is that it does not squeeze the breasts and does not rub the nipples when worn.

Pain in the nipples occurs from time to time in more than sixty percent of the female population of our country. As a rule, they arise as a result of cyclical changes in hormonal levels. However, often these days this symptom can be a wake-up call indicating the presence of a serious illness.

Causes of pain in the nipples.
To the question “Why do my nipples hurt?” It is impossible to give a definite answer, since the reasons may be different. In particular, the main factors influencing their occurrence are pregnancy and lactation, as well as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Unpleasant painful sensations in the nipple area can be combined with general soreness of the mammary gland, and its intensity and nature can be different. In this case, the chest may be somewhat swollen, and pain may spread to the shoulder or back. It should also be noted that pain in the nipples can be a consequence of taking antidepressants, hormone therapy drugs, and can also occur against the background of mastopathy, cysts in the mammary gland and some other diseases.

Cyclic mastodynia.
From a medical point of view, the occurrence of pain in the nipples a few days before the onset of menstruation is called mastodynia. It must be said that this condition is familiar to almost every woman and it is associated with the menstrual cycle. This is due to the fact that before menstruation the level of the hormone progesterone in the blood increases, moreover, when combined with some biologically active substances, it can provoke the retention of excess fluid in the body, including in the mammary gland, as in this case. Against this background, due to increased blood flow, the breasts increase somewhat in volume, the nerve endings are affected, which cannot but affect the nipples, the sensitivity of which increases significantly and can even cause quite noticeable pain, and this is observed only at the time when you touch it . Fortunately, this phenomenon only lasts for five to seven days, and with the onset of menstruation it quickly passes (again, against the background of a decrease in hormone levels in the blood). Pain in the nipple area is not considered a deviation or anomaly, it is a natural process. Delayed menstruation can also trigger the appearance of this unpleasant symptom.

Noncyclic mastalgia.
Non-cyclic mastalgia or pain in the mammary gland is not similar to hormonal changes in the body. As a rule, the causes of their occurrence are neoplasms and inflammation in the mammary gland, malfunctions of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, various diseases liver, nervous system (in particular intercostal neuralgia, segmental pain, etc.).

Pain in the mammary gland and directly in the nipples can also be caused by factors psychological properties: these are regular conflict and stressful situations, negative emotions and so on.

Pain can also occur when taking hormonal contraceptives, and they are more pronounced. Such conditions may indicate the presence of hormonal imbalance. If similar symptoms You should consult your doctor; in most cases, a specialist will prescribe a different drug. If mastopathy is suspected, the patient is prescribed an additional examination of the mammary glands using ultrasound, mammography, and the level of hormones in the blood is determined.

Pain in the nipples during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
It must be said that pain in the nipples is a common symptom indicating the presence of pregnancy (but not 100%). The increasing volume of blood flowing to the breast, the proliferation of the mammary gland ducts (which occurs due to prolactin or the pregnancy hormone) do not always keep pace with the growth of nerve tissue, as a result of which constant tension in the nerve fibers occurs. Hence the pain, burning sensation and soreness when touching and rubbing against the tissue.

I hasten to reassure you, such painful sensations are observed only in the early stages of gestation. Subsequently, a painful reaction of the nipples to external stimuli weakens or disappears altogether.

Breastfeeding is a rather difficult process for young mothers. Not all women do everything correctly right away, which is where nipple pain occurs. Well, first things first.

In general, breasts are a very sensitive area for women, and nipples even more so. The skin there is very delicate and thin, which is why painful sensations may appear in the first days of feeding the baby. Pain in the nipples and breasts during breastfeeding can be caused by incorrect positioning during this process, improper sucking, improper removal of the breast from the baby after finishing feeding, excessive dryness skin in the nipple area, improper care for the skin of the breast during lactation ( complete absence or improper hygiene) and the appearance of cracks against this background. In addition, various cracks, injuries and other damage to the nipples can be some of the causes of such pain. In addition, the development of this unpleasant symptom can be facilitated by lactostasis and, as a result, incipient mastitis, wearing tight, incorrectly selected and poor-quality underwear, as well as damage to the nerve fibers directly in the nipple.

What to do if your nipples hurt?
Any measures to alleviate symptoms depend on the reasons contributing to its occurrence. During pregnancy, PMS and menstruation, try to touch areas that cause discomfort as little as possible, and also try to avoid pressure on the nipple area, for which purpose give preference to comfortable and high-quality underwear, preferably without seams. In addition, jewelry should be worn at a certain length so that it does not directly touch the painful area.

If pain is observed while feeding the baby, then it is important to maintain careful hygiene (wash your breasts before and after feeding warm water without soap, soften with sea buckthorn oil, after feeding, wait a few minutes for the milk to dry on the skin of the breast), protect this area from mechanical damage, use special breast pads. It is very important to breastfeed correctly from the first days of a baby’s life. Teach your baby to suckle at the breast, fully grasping the areola and nipple. At the end of the feeding process, you do not need to immediately pull the breast out of the baby’s mouth, since at the reflex level he will squeeze it. Therefore, it is better to move the baby’s gums apart with a gentle movement of the little finger; he will easily and quickly release the breast.

When cracks appear, it is necessary to feed the baby with the other half of the breast, and lubricate the other with healing ointment, but in order to avoid a decrease or termination of lactation, milk should be constantly expressed.

If the pain in the nipples is painful, increasing and does not go away and is in no way related to the phases of the menstrual cycle, you should consult a doctor. You should also immediately seek help if, in addition to pain in the nipples, such manifestations as any discharge from the nipple outside of lactation are observed, if the nipple and areola have changed shape, color or size, if erosions, redness and swelling appear in painful areas, since all of this may signal cancer mammary glands. The gynecologist will prescribe an examination, including ultrasound (ultrasound). If necessary, he may refer you for a mammogram. If diagnosis is difficult, a biopsy may be prescribed to determine the presence of cancer cells. And then everything will depend on the results. In any case, if you have the slightest doubt, contact a specialist, do not put it off until later. This may harm your health.

Nipple pain, swelling, darkening, enlargement, etc. unusual symptoms Doctors consider it as a normal option for a woman during pregnancy.

But these manifestations should not be neglected or ignored - when the pain in the nipples is constant, severe, when they peel, tingle, dry, crack, itch, turn black and cause discomfort to the pregnant woman, you need to consult a doctor to find out the causes of the condition and alleviate the symptoms.

Why do nipples hurt during pregnancy?

In medicine there is a concept of subjective, objective and probable signs pregnancy. For example, change emotional state and sore nipples are considered subjective symptoms. Is it only during pregnancy that nipples swell and hurt? No.

Breasts swell and nipples hurt:

in the middle of the cycle, before ovulation;
during the premenstrual period (PMS);
if protected with oral contraceptives.

Gynecologists often encounter complaints from pregnant women about pain in the mammary glands from the inside and outside. Although this problem is not fatal, it significantly reduces the quality of life. After all, a pregnant woman is also a wife.

Physiological reasons

A woman's body prepares for pregnancy every month. As soon as conception occurs, the concentration of some hormones increases and others decrease. Progesterone, or popularly the “pregnancy hormone,” affects the skin, fat, nerve tissue and on vessels. Its influence is needed to prepare for bearing a baby.

A woman notices that she begins to run to the toilet frequently, that she feels sick in the morning, and in the evening she suddenly wants to eat chalk. This is not a nervous disorder, this is pregnancy!

Remember! Increased breast sensitivity and pain in the nipples, heaviness in the lower abdomen, morning sickness - these are the first signs that you are pregnant.

Thanks to prolactin and progesterone, breasts increase by 2-3 sizes. This is especially pleasing for women with small sizes. Many ladies even take photos of their breasts and pregnant belly during pregnancy or arrange a candid photo shoot.

However, enlarged breasts add not only sexuality, but also discomfort. In the early stages, nipples may not change in appearance in any way, they will simply be hypersensitive. And at the end of the second and beginning of the third trimester, under the influence of prolactin, colostrum begins to be produced - blood flow in the breast increases, the milk ducts expand, and the shape of the nipple changes. Increased pressure and tension can be perceived by receptors as a pain impulse.

Colostrum is a few drops yellow color, pre-milk. The breasts seem to be “training” before real feeding. Showering twice a day and using a moisturizer (oil or cream) will prevent dry, crusty nipples.

Since colostrum can wet your clothes, we recommend purchasing a special nursing bra with absorbent pads. It’s just important to change the gaskets regularly and arrange air baths so as not to create an environment for the growth of bacteria.

Pathological causes

Dryness and stretching of the skin on and around the nipples leads to cracks, pain and infection in the milk ducts. The feeling of itching and burning prompts a woman to touch the skin and scratch it. When you press on the painful area, blood sometimes comes out. All this creates micro-tears in the epithelium, protective barrier The skin breaks down and bacteria or viruses penetrate inside.

So unpleasant sensations in the mammary glands can also signal serious problems.

Infections that most often cause gravidar, i.e. “pregnant” mastitis:

streptococci - liquid flows from the nipples, honey-colored, with an unpleasant odor;
staphylococci - signs of intoxication, prolonged course;
herpes virus type 1 manifests itself as bubbles (they look like pimples on the chest), which then collapse and a crust forms on top;
E. coli - classic signs of inflammation;
mushrooms of the genus Candida - curdled discharge With sour smell, occurs also in immunocompromised conditions (for example, HIV).

Laboratory tests will help determine the source of infection.

External influencing factors

Besides infections and hormones, could there be other causes of pain in the mammary glands?

Certainly:

Shower gel dries out the delicate skin of the areolas and nipples.
A bra with a seam opposite the nipples or simply made of rough fabric. If you didn’t pay attention to this before pregnancy, you will now experience discomfort due to increased sensitivity.
Allergies to moisturizing creams and lotions are manifested by itching, burning, redness of the skin, nipples “burn” as if they may peel off.

Change the bra manufacturer, wear special underwear for pregnant women.

Let's watch the video:

Why do nipples darken and itch during pregnancy?

From posts on thematic forums: “Why do I have black nipples?” “My husband said in surprise that my nipples and areolas began to darken. Is this how it should be?

No need to worry!

Nipple pigmentation is normal physiological process. In some women they become almost black, while in others they become slightly brownish. This usually happens at 4-5 months.

But why do they get dark? Endocrine organs - the pituitary gland, adrenal glands and placenta produce hormones, and they in turn influence biochemical processes in organism. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone and estrogens stimulate the production of melatonin in melanocytes.

Melatonin is produced not only under the influence of UV rays, but also under the influence of heat. During gestation, the belly and chest of the expectant mother stretch, blood circulation increases, and the synthesis of melatonin in melanocytes is stimulated. In addition, it is an antioxidant and protects the epithelium from harmful influences.

The body's immune strength decreases, allowing the embryo to take root. Therefore, you need to be more careful about your hygiene during this period. Darkening and swelling are often accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, indicating inflammation.

The signs are as follows:

yellow, foul-smelling discharge from the nipple;
painful cracks, peeling;
swelling, increased body temperature, burning nipple;
blood comes out when pressed;

The symptoms clearly indicate that you need to make an appointment with a doctor.

Treatment bacterial infection is carried out with antibiotics that do not penetrate the placenta, that is, they do not harm the fetus. On the Internet you can find many myths about the treatment of mastitis with folk remedies. But better antibacterial therapy There is no way to cure mastitis, unless it is phlegmonous and gangrenous forms. Severe mastitis can only be treated with surgery. So consult your doctor promptly.

There are infections that manifest themselves as intoxication, and there are also those that do not cause inflammatory reaction, but have peculiar clinical manifestations. For example, human papillomavirus. Clinical picture this is - small papillomas on the nipples, in the armpits, in inguinal folds, on the skin of the genital organs.

Does this virus always manifest itself? Of course, not 100% of pregnant women develop papillomas. Some people confuse them with white raised dots. They are especially noticeable when the nipple shape changes to cylindrical. These are Montgomery's glands. They are believed to secrete a lubricant that protects the areola and nipple.

How to prepare your breasts for feeding

If a woman has hypersensitive nipples, the doctor may advise gently massaging the nipples with a cotton glove while showering. This is necessary so that the baby does not cause suffering to the mother when sucking the nipples.
You can do a massage without gloves - you need to stroke your breasts in a circular motion, without applying pressure.
If your nipple shape is flat or inverted, it will be difficult for your baby to latch on to the breast. If your nipples do not change shape early in your pregnancy, talk to your doctor about purchasing special nipple pullers to stimulate your nipples.
Buy cream with dexpanthenol or lanolin in advance. For example, Bepanten. Domestic analogues— Panthenol Evalar, Dexpanthenol, Pantoderm.

There are special gels and ointments for nipples during pregnancy and lactation. Don't neglect them. In old obstetrics textbooks you can find recommendations to smear nipples with brilliant green or even alcohol. We strongly recommend not to do this; dry out the skin and mucous membranes even more.

There is one disease that worsens the life of both mother and newborn. This is mastitis. It is not difficult to avoid if you take care of your body correctly.

Why nipples should not be touched during pregnancy

Changes significantly during pregnancy hormonal background. Almost all organs, including the brain, are aimed at bearing and preserving the fetus. At the same time, there are hormones that are conventionally called labor hormones. One of them is oxytocin. You may have heard of it as the joy hormone, but in fact this substance has other functions. It reduces striated and smooth muscles, inducing labor and reducing blood loss.

This hormone is released if you stroke and twist the nipple for a long time. Therefore, in the third trimester, in particular at 36, 37, 38 weeks, it is better not to touch the nipple. Sexual rest is recommended in the last three months before childbirth.

In obstetrics, there is a practice of rubbing the nipples if a woman is post-term (more than 40-41 weeks) or labor has slowed down during labor.

Prevention of painful sensations - how to avoid them

Here are tips to help you get through your entire pregnancy without any problems:

Maintain a water regime - clean water 10 ml per kg of body per day. If there is no swelling.
Swap gels with fragrances for liquid baby soap or gels with a minimum of surfactant additives.
Don't neglect breast hygiene and nursing bras.
Ointments with dexpanthenol, lanolin and zinc will relieve dryness and crusts on the nipples.
If cracks have already formed, then a cream with vitamin A will restore the epidermis. But it cannot be combined with taking retinol orally.
Are your breasts very red and sore, and is pus flowing from your nipple? Is there an unpleasant odor coming from your breasts? Contact your gynecologist immediately, he will prescribe an antibacterial ointment.
Air baths are necessary for the chest. But no more than 15 minutes a day and not under air flow.
And avoid hypothermia. Sometimes it’s easier to spend money on a taxi if there is no transport for a long time than to buy medications for fever that will harm the baby.

Conclusion

Take care of yourself. Set yourself up to live these 9 months joyfully and with gratitude to your body.

Try not to get sick, and if you do, don’t put off visiting a doctor.

A healthy mother means a happy child!