Pain in left breast when pressed. Hormonal, cyclical and non-cyclical causes of pain when touching the mammary gland

The natural appearance of a woman appears to us as a slender silhouette with outstanding forms in the chest and pelvis. A woman’s mammary glands are her pride, and they must be regularly examined by a competent doctor, otherwise this is fraught with complications, such as the development and formation of a tumor, mastopathy and other diseases.

Please note that you are the primary diagnostician. By feeling the lump and pain in time, you can prevent the development of the disease.

Consider a situation where you feel pain in the mammary glands when touched and pressed.

Why does a woman experience pain in the mammary glands?

If your chest hurts, then you should imagine what is happening to it at this moment. In most cases, the appearance of bruises, and as a result, lumps, is preceded by a malignant proliferation of connective tissue, which covers 70% of the mammary glands in women. In the advanced stage, you will most likely feel discomfort when your nipples come into contact with your underwear. Even more serious symptoms of the development of the disease are flesh-colored or white discharge in the chest area. The only exception is the lactation period.

If your mammary glands hurt and you experience sensations similar to how a bruise hurts, then most likely the reasons are the following:

• benign breast tumor;
• fibrous mastopathy;
• formation and development of cysts (sometimes this disease is called fibrocystic mastopathy).

If, when pressing on the chest, unpleasant sensations occur on the side and throughout the entire area of ​​the chest, then the reasons may be as follows:

• diffuse mastopathy;
• fibrous mastopathy;
• in rare cases of thyroid disease;
• in rare cases, liver disease (possibly chronic);
• hormonal surge, imbalance, which is often caused by constant stress and nervous tension;
• cancerous disease.

As statistics show, of all the above possible diseases that provoke pain when pressing in the chest, the most common are: the development of a benign tumor and various forms of mastopathy.

Therefore, it is their symptoms that we will consider in more detail, so that every woman can notice the lump in time and refer it to a specialist.

Symptoms of a benign tumor

Pain occurs in the mammary glands when touched, due to the formation of a benign tumor. It occurs due to a violation of the epithelial and connective components, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the breast. The consequence may be tumor-like neoplasms, which in turn can cause the development of malignant cells. For the same reason, you sometimes experience a lot of pain in the area of ​​the mammary glands.

Reasons for diagnosing a benign tumor:

• lump in the chest (bump, bruise);
• pain if you press on the mammary gland;
• absence of metastatic screenings;
• excessively mobile mammary glands due to lack of adhesion to the connective tissue.

Advice: even at the primary stage of development of the disease, you will most likely need surgical intervention, which can subsequently save you from the formation of a cyst. Take courage and decide to have the operation.

After the benign tumor is removed, do not neglect regular examinations with mammologists. Women who understand the importance of their breast health see the same doctor regularly.

Symptoms of mastopathy

When chest pain occurs when pressing, this may be a signal of the development of mastopathy. It can be of two types: diffuse, fibrous. As practice shows, the second one hurts much more than practice. Below we will look at the main causes of this type of breast disease.

Diffuse mastopathy

Diffuse mastopathy, which can hurt you and increases breast sensitivity, is most often found in the following categories of women:

• young girls;
• women of any age who are in the early stages of pregnancy;
• women of any age at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.

The main symptom, as in the previous case, is a lump that vaguely resembles a large bruise. Palpation when pressed will hurt you, since there is inflammation of the interlobular connective tissue. In this case, the doctor will also be able to diagnose narrowing of the milk ducts.

By strictly following your doctor’s advice, you can cure diffuse mastopathy on your own. Surgery will only be required in some isolated cases.

Fibrous mastopathy

When the mammary glands hurt when pressed and their sensitivity is increased, this can also be the cause of the development of fibrous mastopathy.

In most cases, it develops in the presence of infectious diseases of a gynecological nature, since a woman’s mammary glands are directly related to her reproductive system, or rather to its condition. If it is in an inflammatory state, then this cannot but be reflected in the condition of the chest.

Doctors often diagnose fibrous mastopathy even if a girl has an irregular sex life and has long-term abstinence.

conclusions

Now you know why chest pain occurs, and when it can be a loud signal about the formation of a strange disease. However, only the worst consequences of chest pain were discussed above. In the best case, this could be premenstrual disruptions that provoke an inflammatory process. Stress, lack of sleep and hormonal imbalances can also cause such pain.

prozhelezu.ru

If your breasts and nipples hurt when touched when pressed?

If the chest hurts on the side when pressed, this can be a sign of many diseases. In order not to miss the development of pathology, you need to know about the symptoms in advance.

What can cause chest pain when pressing? When should you contact a specialist?

What causes discomfort in the middle of the chest if you touch it?

Causes of chest pain

In the case when the breast hurts when pressed, this can greatly frighten the woman. But is it worth worrying so much?

There can be many causes of discomfort, ranging from the most harmless to malignant tumors.

First, you need to conduct a home inspection. You need to carefully touch and press on the surface of the mammary gland and monitor the sensations. If it hurts inside when you touch the nipple, you should be wary.

Uncomfortable underwear

Pain in the middle of the chest can occur due to an incorrectly selected bra. The most likely reason is tight underwear and synthetic material.

If your chest hurts like a bruise, this may indicate that the fabric of the bra is pressing on the body, and blood circulation is deteriorating.

This, in turn, leads to lymph stagnation. Do not underestimate the problem, since crowded spaces can lead to diseases in the form of tumors or inflammation.

If it is not possible to refuse to wear underwear, you should pay attention to models made from natural materials with no decorative elements.

Discomfort that occurs cyclically

Pains that begin and end on a certain day are cyclical. Most often, discomfort begins a couple of days before menstruation, and increases when it occurs. Pain increases with active movement and palpation of the chest.

The reason for this condition is changes in hormonal levels, when the mammary glands prepare to produce milk.

Pain in the middle of the chest may be accompanied by a feeling of heaviness as the breasts swell and become larger.

Such pains do not indicate illness and are completely safe for the body.

Pain due to cyclical causes most often occurs in women under 35 years of age. Another reason that provokes discomfort before menstruation is hormonal drugs or oral contraceptives.

Pregnancy and childbirth

During the period of bearing a child, a woman’s body changes completely, hormones are rearranged in a new way. An increase in prolactin can cause chest pain.

The mammary glands increase in volume, sudden growth can lead to stretch marks and pain. You can use special products - creams or ointments - to avoid this.

After childbirth, hormones are completely adjusted, and the discomfort disappears. The process may take several months.

During this period, pain may appear in one breast; this occurs due to the influx of milk into the glands.

Breast diseases

When the mammary gland hurts when pressed, this may indicate a disease. Each of them has its own distinctive features that you need to know and be able to identify in time.

Mastitis

This is an infectious disease that occurs against the background of weak immunity. The cause of development may be stagnation during feeding. The chest should not be overcooled. The pain will increase if you touch the gland.

Symptoms of mastitis are not uncommon; they most often appear already 3 to 5 days after the birth process.

A sign of the disease can be an increase in discomfort during breastfeeding and the fact that when a woman touches and presses on the nipple, severe discomfort occurs. Some additional symptoms may also occur:

• increased body temperature;
• fever;
• redness of the skin in the middle of the chest;
• swelling of the mammary glands;
• armpit pain.

Mastitis can occur due to infection from chronic diseases or even tooth decay. The infection enters the blood and then moves to the mammary gland.

Mastopathy

This is a breast disease in which lumps form. Discomfort begins at the very beginning, when some of the ducts increase, the connective tissue grows and presses on the ducts.

The pain can be cyclical and spread to the axillary area. Often these are benign neoplasms, and the development of cancerous tumors is possible.

Mastopathy occurs at any age, but it mainly affects young women 25-35 years old. The reasons influencing the development of the disease are the following facts:

• short lactation;
• abortions;
• inflammation;
• avitaminosis.

At the beginning of the development of the disease, enlargement and swelling of the breast are observed, and dark-colored discharge from the nipple is possible.

This is diffuse, which means the initial stage. Then the second stage begins and the pain continues constantly.

After some time, the disease moves to the third stage and the sensations become unstable, but strong.

Mastopathy is the beginning of oncology, so if suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a specialist.

For reference!

Mastopathy has a fibrocystic, that is, nodular form. In this case, upon inspection, you can feel solid seals containing liquid inside.

Initially, the inspection is carried out manually. The doctor needs to feel the lobes of the mammary gland; with mastopathy, they become granular.

After this, additional studies (ultrasound, mammography) should be prescribed to confirm or refute the diagnosis.

Cancerous tumors

Breast cancer is characterized by the presence of neoplasms with blurred contours. At the very beginning of development, there may be no symptoms, since there are no nerve endings in the soft tissues.

In the presence of such a disease, most often one breast hurts. The discomfort can vary, but is most often located in the upper chest.

Later symptoms of breast cancer include the following:

1. Change of symmetry.
2. Recession into the nipple and areola.
3. The appearance of wrinkles on the skin of the chest.
4. The presence of gray or purulent discharge from the nipple.

The likelihood of cancer increases with significant excess weight or mastopathy.

Fibroadenoma

A benign neoplasm, which consists of glandular and connective tissue, is called fibroadenoma.

It is usually small in size and with clear boundaries. When palpated, it feels like hard balls that move under the skin.

The disease occurs due to a disruption in the functioning of hormones, so the formations may become smaller after the complete completion of menstruation.

Fibroadenoma can be confused with a tumor, but its difference is that the formations do not disappear when examined in a supine position.

At the same time, if a woman is in a horizontal position, cancerous tumors disappear and are not visible.

Cystic formations

Cysts are hollow spaces in the breast tissue that are filled with fluid. The cause is the proliferation of connective tissues. It is possible that trauma to the chest area increases the likelihood of developing cysts.

With this disease, severe pain is observed; treatment is required to reduce the discomfort.

Getting rid of voids occurs by sucking out the liquid. After the procedure, the pain decreases.

Breast tuberculosis

This disease is characterized by the appearance of a single node in the chest, the process is accompanied by pain in the area of ​​the affected tissue. After a short time, the knot becomes softer, which reduces discomfort.

The symptoms of tuberculosis are similar to oncology. An independent examination will not give an accurate description of the disease, but with an ultrasound, a specialist will accurately tell you the cause of the pain. If tuberculosis develops in the chest, scars appear drawn inward in one place.

As a result of the disease, the mammary gland may swell and change its shape. There may be enlarged lymph nodes and redness on the skin in the area affected by the disease. A characteristic symptom is the hollowing of the nipples into the breast.

A woman may experience the following symptoms:

1. Weakness and lethargy.
2. Lack or decreased appetite.
3. Increase or decrease in body temperature.
4. Increased sweating of the skin.
5. Unreasonable weight loss.
6. Possible symptoms of intoxication.

It is worth remembering that such a disease is quite rare, and the occurrence of breast tuberculosis is impossible without the presence of its primary form in the body. A biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis.

Fat necrosis

Most often, necrosis occurs after trauma to the mammary gland. Even a weak blow, to which the woman does not pay due attention, can cause it.

Due to damage, the vessels of the mammary gland are injured and lose blood supply. Next, the soft tissue in this area dies.

Subsequently, a scar will form, calcium deposits and the appearance of a hard formation are possible.

Interesting! Fat necrosis may begin as a result of rapid weight loss or radiation therapy.

The disease is often asymptomatic, pain occurs only with large hematomas. Necrosis can be confused with oncology because it looks very similar to a malignant tumor on mammography or ultrasound. To accurately determine the nature of the disease, a biopsy is prescribed.

Treatment is surgery. The affected area is removed, further development of necrosis in the form of a cancerous tumor is impossible.

What other causes of chest pain could there be?

Discomfort in the middle of the chest and in the mammary glands can occur for many reasons:

• disruption of thyroid hormones;
• presence of VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia);
• neuralgia in the heart area (pinching);
• lung diseases;
• osteochondrosis in the spine.

The risk of developing diseases that cause the mammary gland to hurt when touched increases in some cases:

• refusal to breastfeed;
• late labor or absence thereof;
• presence of bad habits;
• injuries to the middle of the chest;
• bad heredity;
• diseases accompanied by disruption of hormone formation;
• diabetes and gallbladder disease.

In addition, you should beware of poor ecology and frequent interference with the body’s functioning.

How is the diagnosis done?

You should visit a specialist as soon as possible if you experience the following symptoms:

1. Enlarged lymph nodes.
2. The presence of neoplasms or compactions in soft or glandular tissues.
3. Changes in the shape and symmetry of the breast and nipple.
4. Pain on palpation.
5. External changes to the skin and areola.

Only a doctor can diagnose the disease after the necessary tests and procedures. The specialist must touch the tumors, after which some questions should be answered:

1. When the pain started.
2. Intensity of sensations.
3. Dependence on the menstrual cycle.
4. Localization of pain.
5. Do your nipples hurt and is there any discharge from them?
6. Does it hurt when you press on your chest?

It is worth paying attention to taking medications, especially hormonal ones.

Treatment

After the doctor makes a diagnosis, it is necessary to prescribe treatment for the mammary glands. This can be surgical or conservative intervention.

Tumors and formations in the form of cysts and necrosis are removed with concomitant treatment. If the pain has hormonal causes, their work should be adjusted. This could be diet or medication.

It is worth remembering that you can start treatment only after consulting a mammologist.

grudok.ru

Why your chest may hurt when pressed: 10 main reasons

Taking care of the health of your body is the unspoken responsibility of every person. The trend towards the prevention of various serious diseases has become firmly established in the modern world. That is why experts recommend that women carefully monitor the condition of their most vulnerable organs - the mammary glands, and consult a doctor at the slightest discomfort.

Indeed, probably every woman at least once in her life has experienced chest pain when pressing or lifting her hands. The reasons can be both serious diseases and other, less significant factors.

It is important to understand that the nature of natural discomfort (arising during lactation, pregnancy or menstruation) is significantly different from pain caused by various diseases or due to exposure to external irritants.

Most often, before the start of the menstrual period, it becomes especially painful to press on the breasts. Symptoms usually occur in the second phase of the cycle and sometimes continue until the very beginning of menstruation. In addition, during this period you may notice some breast enlargement, also caused by hormonal changes.

Pregnancy is a special state of a woman’s body, which is also characterized by strong hormonal fluctuations, which, naturally, cannot but affect the mammary glands. Thus, discomfort and pain often occur, which disappear at the end of the lactation period.

Also, do not sound the alarm when chest pain appears while taking antidepressants or hormonal medications. All of the above reasons are cyclical and do not pose any threat to a woman’s health.

Mastopathy

If you experience pain in the mammary gland when pressed, this may be an alarm bell for a disease such as mastopathy. It is characterized by the appearance of compactions in the area of ​​the mammary glands. There are two forms of this pathology – diffuse and fibrous. It is difficult to diagnose mastopathy on your own, since its symptoms are very similar to simple premenstrual syndrome; the chest hurts when pressed only in 85% of cases.

Mastopathy is characterized by the occurrence of neoplasms that are benign, but still have a low probability of degenerating into cancerous tumors. At the early stage of diffuse mastopathy, greenish or brown discharge from the nipple can also be detected.

Fibrous type mastopathy is distinguished by the fact that the pain when pressing on the chest is more severe, and the causes of this type of disease are associated primarily with infections or inflammation of the genital organs, and less often with prolonged sexual abstinence or irregular sexual intercourse.

If you diagnose the disease in time and consult a doctor, mastopathy can be cured without resorting to surgical treatment.

Cystic formations

The occurrence of a cyst is a consequence of the neglect of fibrocystic mastopathy, which is rare, but has a high chance of progression into the most dangerous pathologies.

A cyst is a small “sac” filled with fluid from the inside and formed as a result of the proliferation of connective tissue in the breast. Cystic formations, as a rule, do not cause any discomfort to a woman, but in case of inflammation, the mammary gland usually hurts when touched.

In most cases, the cyst is removed surgically and rarely degenerates into a malignant neoplasm. However, you should be careful and at the slightest symptoms go for an ultrasound so as not to trigger the situation.

Fibroadenoma

This mobile formation has a spherical shape and is easy to feel. The appearance of fibroadenoma is diagnosed by the fact that one mammary gland hurts when you press on it. There are often cases of several lumps appearing in one place, and characteristic discharge from the nipples also appears (if both mammary glands are affected).

Fibroadenoma is a type of benign formation that can be removed in a simple operation.

Breast cancer

The most serious and dangerous disease, which is difficult to diagnose at the first stage. A malignant tumor can develop in a very short time, so in order to minimize the consequences of the disease, you need to independently conduct a preventive breast examination once a month. such an examination will help identify the presence of tumors or enlarged lymph nodes.

If the lump in the mammary gland hurts when you press on it, and the lymph nodes are slightly enlarged, then it is recommended to make an appointment with a mammologist as soon as possible.

Wrong choice of bra

When choosing underwear, you need to be extremely careful and, first of all, listen to your body. A tight and low-quality bra can not only cause discomfort to its owner, but also cause the occurrence of malignant tumors or breast cysts.

Other reasons

Among other things, pain in the chest often occurs due to other diseases that are only indirectly related to the mammary glands or reproductive system.

It can be:

• thyroid diseases;
• cardiovascular dystonia;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• osteochondrosis;
• diseases of the respiratory system.

If there is a temperature

If, in addition to pain when pressing on your chest, you notice an increased temperature, then all together may indicate the occurrence of certain diseases.

Breast tuberculosis

This pathology is extremely rare, but nevertheless occurs during the development of the first, pulmonary stage of tuberculosis. Sometimes, if misdiagnosed, a disease can be confused with cancer, but it has nothing to do with it.

The main symptoms are sharp and incessant pain in the mammary gland, which fades over time, as well as general weakness of the body and high fever.

Mastitis

Fever and chest pain are a direct sign of an infectious disease of the mammary glands. Mastitis often appears during breastfeeding (cracked skin on the nipples is a direct conductor of bacteria), as well as with breast injuries that contribute to the inflammatory process.

It is not so difficult to distinguish mastitis from the above neoplasms.

Main symptoms:

• redness on the chest;
• increased temperature (up to 39 degrees);
• purulent discharge;
• severe pain.

With the right course of treatment, the disease will not suffer any consequences that jeopardize the health of the woman and child.

Lactostasis

A common disease that is stagnation of milk in the mammary gland. As a result, pain occurs, the temperature rises to 37-38 degrees, the breasts become enlarged, and the nipples swell.

In the absence of timely treatment, lactostasis can progress to purulent mastitis.

Nipple pain when pressed

Pregnancy and lactation

The first suspected cause of discomfort may be the lactation period. At this time, the baby may suck milk carelessly, biting the breast, thereby causing the mother very severe pain. In this case, you should not hastily give up feeding; in the beginning, it is recommended to consider options such as silicone pads, emollient creams and ointments.

In addition, the nipples often hurt when pressed in the first months and subsequently throughout pregnancy, which occurs due to rapid changes in the woman’s hormonal levels.

Paget's disease

In simple words – breast cancer of the nipple. Patients suffering from this disease complain that their nipples are very sore when pressed, as well as other, more characteristic symptoms.

Among them:

• change in the shape and color of nipple halos;
• itching, peeling;
• liquid discharge from the chest.

Treatment of such a serious disease is mostly carried out surgically, and recovery takes a long time.

How to treat

So, the mammary gland hurts when pressed. What to do and how to prevent the progression of possible diseases?

First of all, it all depends on the nature of the pain. If they are cyclical and associated with hormonal changes in the body, then there is no need to panic. In such cases, a mild course of treatment associated with diet, rest and the absence of external irritants is usually prescribed.

If chest pain is not associated with natural causes, then in this case there is a possible risk of pathology. Infectious diseases of the mammary gland are treated with a course of antibiotics or by opening the lesions in advanced cases.

When infections affect only one breast, benign or malignant formations can affect locally, and for example, the right breast hurts when pressed, but there are no symptoms in the left. Such pathologies are usually removed using surgery, the complexity of which directly depends on the disease. In rare cases, other methods can be used, but all this should be done under the strict supervision of a professional.

When should you see a doctor?

If you find that your chest hurts when pressed, do not immediately panic and come up with worse options. Calm down and watch your body. If the pain does not go away, and meanwhile other symptoms of possible pathologies begin to appear, immediately consult a doctor to undergo an ultrasound and mammography to avoid serious consequences. And the sooner this happens, the better it will affect your health.

Be careful and don’t forget to listen to your body!

Video

In this video, a gynecologist will tell you about the symptoms and treatment methods of mastitis.

Comments powered by HyperComments

grud.guru

Breast pain when pressed

Several years ago, a worldwide program began encouraging women to more carefully monitor their health and conduct self-examination of both breasts every month. This has made it possible to significantly reduce mortality from cancer tumors, since their detection at an early stage increases the chances of successful treatment.

One of the first signs of pathological changes is that the mammary gland hurts when pressing on it or even normal palpation. Fortunately, in most cases this symptom accompanies benign neoplasms.

Why does my chest hurt when I press it?

The most common and harmless cause of the symptom in question is mechanical trauma or compression of the mammary gland. Such problems can be easily prevented if you avoid blows to this area, select the appropriate bra size, and ensure that the metal arms (“underwires”) do not rub the skin.

Other factors that can cause pain in the left or right breast when pressure is applied:

• hormonal fluctuations before menstruation;
• fibrous or cystic mastopathy;
• pregnancy;
• preparing the body for lactation;
• fibroadenoma;
• lactostasis;
• mastitis;
• infectious inflammation of the mammary gland;
• breast swelling;
• cancer (a rare cause of pain).

In addition, the described symptoms are sometimes characteristic of diseases not related to the genital organs, hormonal balance and mammary glands. Among them:

• thrombophlebitis;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• heart pathologies;
• diseases of the lungs and bronchi;
• osteochondrosis of the thoracic and cervical spine;
• thyroid diseases.

How to treat pain in the mammary gland with pressure?

In any case, you will have to visit a gynecologist and mammologist, possibly an oncologist.

If the cause of the symptoms considered are hormonal changes that provoke dysfunction of the mammary glands, a gentle correction of the balance of androgens and estrogens will be required. Usually, homeopathic drugs (Mastodinone, Cyclodinone) and herbal preparations are prescribed for this. It is also recommended to follow a special diet and normalize the rest and work regime.

Zinc ointment for the treatment of weeping radiation burns of the breast

2018 Blog about women's health.

Pain in the mammary glands is a nonspecific symptom that every person has encountered at least once in their life. Contrary to erroneous belief, this symptom is characteristic not only of females, it is also often found in men.

Often, such a manifestation is associated with the course of a disease that negatively affects the mammary gland; in particular, it may indicate the formation of a malignant tumor. However, in some cases, such pain is quite normal.

Most often, rather specific symptoms develop against the background of the main symptom, in particular swelling and swelling of the affected gland, redness of the skin and the appearance of easily palpable lumps.

If such an alarming sign occurs, you should seek help from, who, in addition to a thorough physical examination, will prescribe several laboratory and instrumental examinations.

Pain in the mammary gland when pressed is eliminated using conservative methods, however, to completely get rid of this symptom, it is necessary to cure the underlying disease.

Etiology

Pain in the breast area can occur in absolutely every person, regardless of gender. As for children, such a manifestation is rare for this age category.

It is noteworthy that in men and women both the same and individual predisposing factors can cause such an alarming signal.

For example, in female representatives, pain develops against the background of:

• hormonal changes in the body, which may be associated with the formation of menstrual function or with the period of bearing a child. It is worth noting that pain can occur both in early and late stages of pregnancy;
• infertility therapy, which is often carried out with medications, less often with surgery;
• uncontrolled use of certain groups of medications, in particular oral contraceptives or antidepressants;
• – in such cases, the appearance of pain in girls and women, if they are not accompanied by other signs, is quite normal. If the pain disappears with the onset of menstruation, then there is no need to see a doctor;
• menopause - pain in the mammary gland is also not uncommon and, without the expression of other symptoms, has no pathological basis;
• cystic or cancerous neoplasms - in such cases, shooting and throbbing pain is expressed in the affected mammary gland. In addition, the clinical picture is complemented by vivid specific symptoms, for example, mucous or cheesy discharge from the nipples;
• breastfeeding a baby - in such cases there is a feeling as if the breasts are constantly aching;
• mechanical damage or trauma to the chest;
• development of a wide range of inflammatory processes;
• formation of benign changes or formations;
• – this is characterized by stagnation of breast milk. This is often due to wearing an uncomfortable bra during breastfeeding, reluctance to breastfeed the child, or incomplete emptying of the mammary gland;
• abscesses or fibroadenoma of the mammary glands;
• body reactions to breast implants or other plastic surgery.

Pain in the mammary glands in men on the right or left develops several times less frequently than in women. However, the development of such a symptom can be triggered by:

• – while the breasts are enlarged according to the female type. Severe pain is very often one-sided;
• nipple adenoma is a benign tumor, the causes of which remain unknown;
• fatty necrosis of breast tissue;
• duct ectasia;
• Mondor syndrome;
• malignant tumors;
• leakage;
• disruption of the functioning of the organs of the endocrine system, which are responsible for the production of hormones;
• presence of excess body weight;
• hyperplasia is a pathological growth of mammary gland tissue.

However, the most common causes of pain in the mammary glands in the stronger half of humanity are injuries, neoplasms, excessive stress, participation in combat sports and hormonal disorders.

In addition, constant influence, addiction to bad habits and hypothermia play an important role in the development of pain in representatives of both sexes. Such factors significantly increase the likelihood of developing each of the above ailments or pathological conditions.

Classification

Depending on the frequency of occurrence, severe pain in the mammary glands is divided into:

• cyclical– most often appears in women before menstruation, and in men – against the background of sports or excessive physical activity;
• non-cyclical– this type of pain may be associated with any of the above diseases;
• mastalgia(the second name for pain in this localization) not associated with pathologies of the mammary glands. Such pain often appears in the mammary glands due to intercostal neuralgia, neurological and mental disorders. It is worth noting that intercostal neuralgic pain spreads to the chest area, which may make it seem as if it is the mammary gland on the left or right that is hurting.

The resulting pain may be of the following nature:

• shooting and sharp;
• aching and burning;
• dull and stabbing;
• pulsating and sharp;
• cutting and pulling.

In addition, during diagnosis pay attention to the following classifications:

• according to location – unilateral or bilateral;
• by duration - pain can be constant, intermittent and appears only with pressure;
• according to prevalence - the symptom is divided into local and diffuse.

Symptoms

Pain in the left mammary gland or in the right breast often acts as the first, but not the only sign of a particular pathology.

Very often additional clinical signs are:

• hardening and swelling;
• increase in breast size;
• redness of the skin;
• increase in the volume of regional lymph nodes;
• hardening of the nipples;
• discharge of abnormal fluid, in particular mucus or pus, colostrum or blood;
• increased sensitivity of the affected segment;
• an increase in local temperature - this means that the right or left breast, when touched, will be hotter in comparison with the general temperature of the skin.

Pain due to mastopathy of the mammary gland may be accompanied by:

• bilateral lesion;
• the appearance of heaviness and discomfort;
• the appearance of nodules or lumps in the chest that are easily palpated;
• spread of pain to the armpits;
• a gradual increase in the intensity of the main symptom, which causes difficulties in everyday life.

Pain during and in cases of formation of cystic neoplasms will have the following additional symptoms:

• burning, heaviness and discomfort in one of the mammary glands;
• the appearance of dense and mobile seals, when touched, a burning pain appears;
• structural changes in the skin on the affected mammary gland, namely its retraction, wrinkling or thickening;
• breast deformation and change in color of the skin located above the area of ​​formation;
• swelling of the nipple.

It must be borne in mind that the above symptoms are only the most typical. The clinical picture will be individual and differ depending on the etiological factor.

Diagnostics

It is possible to establish the reasons why acute pain in the mammary glands in men and women only after laboratory tests and instrumental examinations of the patient. However, before this, the mammologist must independently perform several manipulations:

• study the medical history to determine the possible presence of a predisposing factor that has a pathological basis;
• collect the patient’s life history – in cases where the source of pain is sports, injuries, pregnancy or breastfeeding;
• Carry out a thorough physical examination aimed at palpating the mammary glands - this may indicate the presence of lumps, neoplasms or nodules and their number. Also, the severity and nature of the pain is assessed, because nagging or aching pain can indicate completely different diseases;
• conduct a detailed survey to create a complete symptomatic picture.

Laboratory and instrumental diagnostics are based on:

• general and biochemical blood tests;
• blood tests for hormones;
• bacterial culture of fluid secreted from the nipples;
• Ultrasound, CT and MRI of the breast;
• radiography;
• mammography and ductography;
• pneumocystography;
• puncture biopsy.

Treatment

Pain in the mammary gland on the left in women or men, as well as in other localizations, can only be relieved by eliminating the underlying ailment.

More than half of all women on the planet are concerned about breast pain to some degree. In this case, sensations can vary from slight discomfort to excruciating heaviness and burning, which significantly reduce the quality of life. Therefore, establishing the cause of such pain and selecting adequate treatment is a primary task.

Anatomy of the mammary glands

A woman's breasts consist of a gland that is divided into lobules by milk ducts, fat and connective tissue. The predominance of connective (fibrous) and glandular tissue depends on the characteristics of the body, body weight, hormonal levels and the age of the woman. However, the mammary gland in every woman is an organ in which changes occur associated with the course of the menstrual cycle. Hormonal changes occur according to the following pattern:

The first two weeks (14 days), provided that the cycle lasts 28 days, the follicles in the ovaries intensively mature. In the middle phase of the cycle, the follicle bursts, thus releasing the egg. This stage is combined with the peak release of estrogen. After the egg is released, a corpus luteum forms at the site of the follicle. During this phase, progesterone is actively secreted. If conception does not occur, the body begins to gradually decline and the levels of both hormones decrease towards the end of the cycle. Menstruation begins.

Estrogen, a female hormone, has a huge impact on the condition of the mammary glands. It provokes an increase in connective elements and the number of glandular cells. Connective cells line the surface of all breast ducts. With an excess of estrogen, groups of glands can degenerate into cysts. In most cases, cysts are harmless and do not require treatment.

Progesterone, the level of which increases in the second part of the cycle, provokes swelling and improves blood circulation, which causes pain in the premenstrual period. This is explained by the fact that the glandular cells of the mammary gland undergo preparation before the possible release of milk in the event of pregnancy.

Mastodynia (cyclical pain) – pain before the onset of menstruation

The largest number of complaints about pain in the mammary glands is associated with cyclical changes in the female body. This condition is characterized by:

significant reduction or complete disappearance of pain during pregnancy or after menopause;

subsidence of pain at the beginning of menstruation and its complete disappearance at the end of menstruation;

the onset of pain a few days before the onset of menstruation.

Such complaints are most often present in women aged 17 to 40 years with large and medium-sized breasts. Breast pain that occurs during ovulation is usually bilateral, with the most severe pain localized in the outer upper quadrants of the breast.

Pain as a sign of PMS

Cyclic pain that occurs monthly may be part of premenstrual syndrome. Other signs of this unpleasant condition include:

bloating and abdominal pain;

increased appetite;

anxiety and restlessness;

sudden mood swings and irritability.

The main feature of premenstrual pain in the mammary gland is the absence of symptoms before ovulation. The first half of the cycle is absolutely painless, and after two weeks the above complaints begin to increase. The peak of pain occurs 2-3 days before the start of menstruation.

The presence of certain signs of premenstrual syndrome is present in 80% of women. And for almost everyone, breast pain is one of the main symptoms. This condition is not dangerous to the health and life of a woman. There is an opinion that women who suffer from monthly pain and breast hardening are more at risk of developing cancer pathologies. There is currently no evidence of a connection between breast cancer and cyclic breast tenderness.

Most often, pain develops against the background of the presence of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy. This condition is not a disease, it is a special condition of the mammary gland, in which there is a uniform proliferation of fibrous and glandular tissue. This condition has no consequences, except for discomfort.

Non-cyclical pain

when taking medications (antidepressants, hormonal drugs);

after operations and injuries;

in the presence of benign or malignant tumors;

for breast cysts.

In rare cases, the pain may not be related to menstruation. Typically, discomfort occurs due to injuries, tumors, cysts and other pathologies that occur in the breast area. Non-cyclic pain is most often localized and unilateral. In other words, a woman is able to identify the place where there is discomfort (for example, pain in the right breast in the nipple area).

Paget's disease;

malignant tumors;

lactocele;

acute mastitis;

reaction to the implant;

inflammatory processes;

fibroadenoma;

breast cyst;

nodular formations.

Breast cyst

A breast cyst is a cavity that is filled with fluid. It is generally accepted that almost every woman has one or more small cystic formations. Normally, they appear during the menstrual cycle, but sometimes such cysts grow to large sizes, which causes pain and discomfort to the woman.

If a thorough ultrasound examination does not reveal a threat of cancer, small cysts in most cases are not touched, and the therapy is the same as for diffuse mastopathy. If cystic formations are suspicious (inflamed, large, have a parietal component) and at the same time provoke severe pain, it is necessary to perform an operation to remove them.

Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenoma is a benign tumor that is localized in the mammary gland. It is a round formation, which in most cases is painless, mobile and smooth. However, depending on the size and location of this node, discomfort and pain may appear, which force the woman to see a doctor.

Fibroadenomas usually develop due to hormonal fluctuations, most often in young women who have reached childbearing age. Fibroadenomas, unlike diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, require a biopsy. In order to exclude the presence of a cancerous tumor, a needle is inserted into the node and some of the cells are pumped out through it, which are subsequently examined under a microscope. After the diagnosis of fibroadenoma is confirmed, the formation is removed. Along with the tumor, anxiety about possible cancer and pain go away.

Lactocele

A lactocele is a cyst in the breast that is filled with breast milk. Due to injury or congenital anomaly, as well as an inflammatory process, a scar forms in the breast, which prevents normal lactation. The milk begins to accumulate and stagnate, subsequently forming a cyst. The cyst grows and gradually provokes a feeling of fullness and pain in the breast area. In some cases, suppuration and an abscess may occur at the site of its formation.

A lactocele is a mobile soft formation. When punctured, milk is released from it. In order to relieve pain, puncture is sometimes not enough; in such cases, surgery to remove the cyst is necessary.

Lactostasis

Unlike lactocele, the main reason for the development of lactostasis is the lack of a feeding regimen. Increased milk production and low milk consumption by the child cause congestion in the chest. Symptoms of this pathology usually appear quite quickly, these are:

aching chest pain;

feeling of fullness and tension;

lump in a certain part of the breast.

In rare cases, a slight increase in body temperature may also accompany the feeling of pain. Such symptoms occur only in the first 3-4 months after delivery, when the child and his mother have not yet entered into the same feeding rhythm.

The main therapy for lactostasis is active breastfeeding. The first portion of milk should be expressed to make it easier for the baby to suck. In the first months, you need to feed the baby on demand, regardless of the time of day or night. If, in the presence of lactostasis, you stop feeding the baby from the “sick” breast, the amount of milk in it will decrease, which may become a problem in the future.

Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland. In most cases, there is a lactation variant of the disease, which occurs during breastfeeding. Also, in most cases, the precursor to mastitis is lactostasis. Stagnation of milk and the presence of cracked nipples allow bacteria to multiply very actively. An infection occurs, and the mammary gland begins to swell, redness, fever and severe pain appear. The general condition of a woman is characterized by weakness, which occurs against the background of a temperature that sometimes reaches 39 degrees.

Diagnosing mastitis is not a difficult task. It is much more difficult to cure this pathology while maintaining normal lactation of the gland. First line drugs are antibiotics. But they can be prescribed only after examination by a doctor. If treatment fails or the condition becomes severe, surgery may be required to drain the pus that has formed. In any case, you need to maintain lactation at a certain level.

Breast injury

Injury to the mammary glands is a fairly rare occurrence. Usually there are abrasions or bruises that appear after accidents, falls and other incidents. If a hematoma (bruise, accumulation of blood) occurs in the mammary gland due to injury, discomfort and pain may appear even after a significant period of time. Therefore, if there is a breast hematoma, its removal or puncture is required in order to prevent the development of the inflammatory process.

Pain in the implant area

After breast augmentation or reconstruction surgery, pain is normal. It will take time to get used to the new size and for the scars to heal. However, sometimes the installation of an implant causes an acute or chronic inflammatory reaction or begins to compress nerve endings. In such cases, you should consult a plastic surgeon, and repeat surgery may also be required.

Cracked nipples

Almost all women experienced discomfort in the nipple area after giving birth. A constantly hungry baby demands to be fed hourly, and there is still very little milk. Friction causes burning, itching and pain in the nipples. However, the most unpleasant are the cracks. As the skin of the nipples dries out, it begins to crack, and this is a very painful condition. Wounds and ulcers do not have time to heal in the periods between feedings, and recovery is delayed. In such situations, it is recommended to lubricate the nipple cracks with Depanthenol, Bepanten and other creams of similar action. They do not affect the baby’s health and quickly cope with cracks. If there are severely infected wounds, the baby should be kept off the breast until symptoms subside completely.

Pain that is not associated with the mammary glands

postherpetic neuralgia;

Tietze syndrome;

intercostal neuralgia (with ARVI, rheumatoid diseases).

Tietze syndrome

Tietze's disease is not widespread, but it does occur occasionally. It manifests itself in the form of swelling and pain in the area of ​​the cartilage of the ribs. The causes of this pathology are not clear, and stress or inadequate physical activity can aggravate the condition. In women, a similar syndrome is often disguised as pain in the mammary glands. It is quite simple to exclude the presence of this pathology: you should conduct an X-ray examination of the chest and pay close attention to the cartilage between the ribs. Tietze syndrome has no specific treatment, and for severe pain, NSAIDs are used. Quite often, changing your physical activity routine is the best treatment.

Shingles

The Herpeszoster virus, when it first enters the body, provokes chickenpox and leads to shingles on the body. This is a very painful condition, which is accompanied by blistering rashes, itching and burning pain. Most often it affects the nerves and skin of the lumbar region (hence the name of the pathology). When a rash appears in the chest area, pain and itching can be confused with manifestations of mastopathy. Therefore, it is very important to examine the chest for redness and blisters. The pain of such rashes disappears after 2-3 weeks, and antiviral therapy (herpes ointments, Acyclovir) will help to significantly alleviate the general condition.

Mammary cancer

The most dangerous among all causes of breast pain is breast cancer. This is a neoplasm that occupies a leading position among cancer diseases in women. In addition to the fact that such cancer is widespread, it is also dangerous due to its high mortality rate, since many women postpone visiting the doctor until the last moment.

Risk factors for breast cancer

oncological processes of the intestines, ovaries or breasts in close relatives (grandmothers, mother, sisters);

previous oncological processes listed above;

age over 60 years;

obesity;

absence of pregnancy and childbirth, late menopause, early menstruation.

Among all the factors, the main one is the effect of hormones on the body and mammary gland, in particular estrogen. It must be remembered that the presence of diffuse mastopathy and cyclic premenstrual chest pain are not considered risk factors for the development of oncological processes in the mammary gland.

Heredity, which is aggravated by cases of oncology, requires a particularly attentive attitude to one’s own health. About 10% of breast cancers are the result of a genetic defect. The presence of the BRCA2 and BRCA1 genes increases the risk of cancer by several tens of times. Therefore, painful sensations in the chest in women who have/had relatives with cancer of this organ require special attention and special research.

Symptoms of breast cancer

Small tumors without metastases most often do not cause pain or discomfort. Pain can only occur when the tumor compresses the nerve endings. Therefore, self-diagnosis of the mammary glands is a very responsible and important stage of diagnosis. A special form of breast cancer is Paget's cancer. It differs in that the tumor is localized in the nipple area and causes its elongation and deformation, as well as pain to the right or left of it.

Breast cancer treatment

In the initial stages, cancer that has not yet spread beyond the nearest lymph nodes or breast usually undergoes complex therapy. It includes surgery to remove the tumor, radiation and chemotherapy. Depending on the type of tumor, hormonal medications may be used. Sometimes, if there is a large tumor, it is first shrunk with chemotherapy and then surgically removed. The scope of surgical intervention in our country is usually large-scale: the mammary gland with regional lymph nodes and underlying muscles are removed. In European countries, such pathology is diagnosed much earlier, so it is possible to perform partial resection of the mammary gland with the application of cosmetic sutures.

Breast examination methods

If painful sensations appear in the mammary gland, it is necessary to conduct a series of studies. They allow you to determine the cause of such discomfort and exclude the presence of life-threatening conditions. Diagnostics also helps to select the most optimal treatment option.

Breast self-examination.

Lying down - in order to examine the right chest, place a pillow under the right shoulder blade, and place the right arm behind the head. Using the fingertips, the entire breast is probed from the periphery to the nipple.

Standing – the examination is performed in two positions with arms raised and lowered.

Points worth paying attention to:

the presence of ulcers on the skin of the chest;

pain on palpation;

changes in skin temperature and color (blueness, redness);

change in the skin of the breast according to the “lemon peel” type;

change in the size of the mammary glands (asymmetry);

the presence of discharge from the nipple of any shade (the exception is milk during lactation);

nipple retraction;

seal of any size and shape. Especially if it is large, motionless, and has uneven contours.

All of the above signs are a signal that you should consult a specialist. Such a specialist is a mammologist, therapist or gynecologist. If the doctor identifies a threat to the woman’s health, she will be sent for additional examination and consultation with an oncologist. Feeling and examining the breasts helps a woman detect cancer in the early stages. However, it should be noted that most of the formations identified independently are benign and most often do not even require special treatment.

Breast examination if pain occurs

Mammography is an X-ray examination of the mammary glands. This method is the standard for diagnosing breast pathologies among women over forty years of age. It makes it possible to assess the growth pattern of the malignant process, the prevalence of the disease and the condition of the breast tissue. However, if the glandular dense component dominates in the breast, mammography is not very informative. Therefore, breast ultrasound is more relevant for young women.

Ultrasound of the mammary glands – ultrasound examination of the mammary glands is required in the following cases:

for differential diagnosis of cysts;

in all women who complain of pain (addition to mammography);

in young women for prevention purposes;

in pregnant women and during lactation.

MRI and CT of the mammary glands - magnetic resonance and computed tomography - are additional examination methods. It is not advisable to use them as a preventive test or during the first visit to the doctor. Typically, such methods are resorted to when there is an unclear diagnosis or when there is an unclear picture on ultrasound and mammography. In addition, CT and MRI help to assess the condition of neighboring organs and diagnose metastases in distant parts of the body, in the presence of malignant neoplasms.

Aspiration biopsy - with a painless or painful formation in the breast, especially in the presence of aggravating heredity or during menopause, one x-ray is not enough. To confirm the diagnosis, it is best to examine the pathological cells under a microscope, which will determine the degree of their malignancy. In such cases, aspiration biopsy is most often used. In some cases, this stage is omitted and they immediately proceed to tumor removal and subsequent histological examination of the resulting material.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe additional tests to determine an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment of breast pain

Treatment for chest pain depends on the cause that causes it. Therefore, the first step is to contact a specialist for a detailed examination.

Treatment of cyclic pain

Diffuse mastopathy with premenstrual pain is a benign and safe phenomenon. At its core, this is a common reaction to a normally occurring ovulatory cycle. However, if a woman is very bothered by such pain, several methods are used.

Conversation with a doctor.

Oddly enough, quite often a simple conversation with a doctor is enough to relieve symptoms. After qualified explanations about the safety of mastopathy and the patient’s absence of cancer, the patient’s condition improves dramatically and the discomfort goes away.

Selecting the right underwear.

A tight bra of the right size and shape can reduce discomfort and cyclic pain.

Dosed physical activity, proper rest and aromatherapy for PMS.

Losing weight and limiting fatty foods.

Oral contraceptives.

Taking combined-action oral contraceptives is an option to temporarily “turn off” ovulation. There is no ovulation, which means there are no hormone surges. Therefore, pain and discomfort when using COCs are either significantly reduced or disappear completely.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen).

Tamoxifen is a drug that is used in the presence of severe mastopathy with severe pain. The drug has side effects, so it is prescribed only if there are strict indications.

It is important to remember that any homeopathic remedies that supposedly relieve mastopathy are pure quackery. The effect of such drugs is based on self-hypnosis. Therefore, it makes no sense to use drugs with unproven safety and effectiveness; you can simply limit yourself to talking with a doctor, taking a bath and getting proper rest.

Treatment of non-cyclic pain

If inflammatory processes, tumors and cysts are detected, a doctor’s consultation, detailed diagnosis and, if necessary, surgery are required. After resection of benign lesions, drugs for the treatment of PMS can be used. After treatment of oncological pathologies, many drugs are contraindicated. Pain in breast cancer with distant metastases is very severe, painful and cannot be relieved with NSAIDs. Sometimes narcotic analgesics are required to relieve such pain.

Treatment of pain that is not related to the breast

An intelligent doctor determines the source and cause of such pain and prescribes additional studies. Treatment is selected according to the nature of the pathology.

The most popular questions from a doctor when collecting data

Before going to see a doctor, you need to carefully consider the answers to the questions that he will probably ask.

In which breast is the pain felt?

What type of pain is present? (stabbing, bursting, aching).

How long does this pain last?

How severe is the pain if you rate it on a 10-point scale?

Do one or both breasts hurt?

Are there any patterns when pain occurs (breastfeeding, exercise, menstruation)?

When was the last time you had a mammogram?

Are there any other symptoms (nipple discharge, breast lump)?

Have you recently had a miscarriage or abortion, are you breastfeeding or pregnant?

Do you have a history of breast surgery or chest trauma?

Has any of your close relatives suffered from colon, ovarian, or breast cancer?

Pain in the mammary glands is a sign of many diseases and more. Every woman who has gone through puberty has encountered it. There are two groups of pain: cyclical and non-cyclical. The groups include many specific manifestations or diseases. But first things first.

There are so many reasons that even the most experienced doctors are unable to determine upon examination why the breasts hurt when pressed. For this, many instrumental and laboratory methods are used: donating blood for hormones, ultrasound, mammography, biopsy.

Among the reasons are:

1. Hormonal changes and changes depending on the menstrual cycle.
2. Pregnancy, during which the structure of tissues changes.
3. Diseases of the mammary glands.
4. Injuries (impacts, falls).
5. Surgical treatment of the breast.
6. Diseases of internal organs.

Pain in the chest is commonly called mastalgia. The pain can be stabbing, cutting, aching, burning, throbbing and incessant. It can radiate to the shoulder, ribs, armpits, and can be local. By classifying the patient's sensations, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis.

Hormonal reasons

Hormonal changes are inevitable for every woman throughout her life. For example, during menstruation, the ratio of hormones in the first and second phases of the cycle changes. A few days before the start of menstruation, the breasts increase in size, swell, and pain appears. They are classified as cyclical because they have a pattern.

During pregnancy, hormones also change their ratio in the blood, which leads to enlargement of the mammary glands and their soreness. Gestation is characterized by sharp jumps in the amount of hormones. The breasts begin to hurt from the first trimester and after pregnancy until the very end of lactation.

Taking hormonal medications or antidepressants may also be associated with chest pain. The discomfort goes away after stopping the medication. Chest pain associated with these reasons does not pose a threat to a woman’s health. Cyclic pain is more common in teenage girls.

Causes of cyclical pain

Cyclical pains are those that recur on certain days of the month every time. They are associated with taking hormonal drugs and menstruation. They do not pose any danger, go away on their own and do not require treatment. Most often characteristic of women of reproductive age up to 40 years. Each of the reasons was described in more detail in the section “hormonal reasons”.

Non-cyclical pain

But non-cyclical pain is more often a harbinger of various breast diseases. When the mammary gland hurts when touched and this is not related to the cycle, pregnancy or taking medications, then you need to pay attention to other reasons. Typically, pain occurs in either the right or left breast.

Mastitis

Mastitis is a breast disease caused by pathogenic microflora. The reasons for its appearance are associated with hypothermia of the mammary glands, stagnation of milk in the ducts of lactating women.

The main reason is the weakening of the body's immunity.

In this case, any chronic infection through the bloodstream can penetrate the breast tissue.

Most often, mastitis develops during breastfeeding. Young mothers earn it already on the third day of feeding, when an infection enters the milk ducts. Discomfort increases with feeding.

Common signs of mastitis include fever, breast swelling, hardening and acute pain, and colostrum discharge. The pain tends to intensify and often radiates to the armpits. Sometimes it is impossible to touch the chest.

Lactostasis

Stagnation of breast milk in a young mother is not uncommon. It hurts to touch the chest, the local temperature rises to 37.5 degrees. If left untreated, lactostasis transforms into acute purulent mastitis.

Mastopathy

Another cause of unilateral non-cyclic chest pain in women. The essence of mastopathy is the formation of compactions in the glandular tissue, the proliferation of connective tissue areas, compression of some ducts and enlargement of others.

Mastalgia manifests itself in different ways. The initial stages are characterized by its intensification a few days before menstruation. At later stages, the pain appears on any day of the cycle and becomes more intense.

During palpation, the doctor often notes the coarsening of the glandular tissue and its granularity. There are three forms of mastopathy: diffuse, nodular and fibrocystic. In all forms of the disease, lumps appear in the chest; if left untreated, they become permanent.

Mastopathy occurs against the background of hormonal disorders, vitamin deficiency, constant abortions or improper lactation. The outcome of the disease is often positive, but advanced forms cause complications.

Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenoma is a benign round formation that is easily palpable during examination. It does not disappear when lying down, unlike mastopathy or cancer. Often fibroadenoma becomes a consequence of advanced mastopathy. Pain occurs if the formation is touched.

The tumor has clear contours, moves easily in the thickness of the gland, and is located in the capsule. Often there are several fibroadenomas in one breast, all of which are detected by ultrasound. The diagnosis does not provide for conservative treatment, so surgery is performed in any case.

Cysts

Cysts are a capsule with clear liquid and are absolutely benign. In this case, the pain in the chest is severe, it hurts to press on it. Cysts occur mainly due to injury. They usually do not require treatment other than topical gels and numbing ointments. If there is a large formation, the surgeon pumps out fluid from the cyst, it sticks together and disappears.

Breast tuberculosis

Breast tuberculosis is very easily confused with cancer. Self-diagnosis does not give reassuring results. First, one tuberculous node forms, which causes severe pain.

After the formation of fistula tracts, the pain subsides and the formation softens. During the examination, the doctor notes pinpoint retracted scars on the surface of the chest, which help in the initial diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis is carried out using a biopsy and laboratory tests.

Fat necrosis

The disease is otherwise called lipogranuloma. It is typical for women with a predominance of fatty tissue in the chest area. The formations are very dense and do not have clear boundaries; lipogranulomas are often confused with cancerous tumors.

Lipogranuloma is characterized by slow growth compared to a malignant formation, and is often provoked by chest trauma. Women during menopause and menopause are at risk.

Breast cancer

Cancer in the first stages is difficult to notice, since the formations are so small that they do not irritate the nerve endings. As tumors grow, pain in the affected breast is noted in the upper part.

Vivid symptoms include changes in the skin of the affected breast, inverted nipples, discoloration, peeling, ulcers, bruises at the site of the tumor, and when pressed, serous-bloody fluid flows out.

At risk are nulliparous women or those who gave birth late, women with a history of mastopathy or with a hereditary predisposition.

Uncomfortable underwear

Incorrectly selected underwear harms the mammary glands. If your bra is squeezing your breasts, you need to change it to a larger one or stop wearing underwear altogether. If for women with a large bust it is impossible to refuse a bra, then you need to choose spacious, comfortable models made of cotton materials.

Wearing tight underwear provokes stagnation of lymph in the mammary glands, causing discomfort and pain. Stagnation of lymph is the root cause of many breast diseases: from cysts to malignant neoplasms.

Actions for chest pain

If the mammary gland hurts when pressed from the side, right, left, top, bottom or middle and this has nothing to do with cyclical reasons or pregnancy, then you need to make an appointment with a doctor. You can palpate the breasts yourself, but this will not lead to a satisfactory result.

For cyclical pain, the doctor will recommend a gentle daily regimen, more rest, a soft diet and less nervous tension. It is possible to prescribe mild sedatives or decoctions that relieve inflammation.

Diagnosis, which is carried out in the presence of non-cyclical pain:

• Palpation. The specialist carefully palpates the breast, which helps to detect lumps, nodes, graininess and structure of the mammary gland. Palpation is excellent for differential diagnosis, narrowing the range of diseases for diagnosis. Palpation also provides information about the condition of the lymph nodes.
• Ultrasound diagnostics. Using it, you can determine the exact size of the formation, see the cyst, fibroadenoma and their location.
• Mammography. Indicated for diagnosis and examination in women over 40 years of age who have already given birth. X-rays are used to determine the size of the formation and its extent.
• Ductography. Examination of the milk ducts of the breast using x-ray contrast agent.
• Biopsy. Allows you to determine the diagnosis at the cellular level. To do this, material is taken from the formation: cell mass or a piece of tissue. Based on the results of the biopsy, it is possible to predict the further development of the disease.
• Pneumocystography. A type of biopsy. Contents are collected from cysts or formations.

After the research, a final diagnosis is made and individual treatment is prescribed. For inflammatory processes, these are antibiotics. For neoplasms – surgery or conservative treatment.

There is often a situation where a woman has pain in her lower breasts. To find out the reason, first of all you should pay attention to the underwear. A tight, low-quality bra compresses, impairs blood circulation and causes discomfort. This problem often worries young nursing mothers. The influx of milk makes the breasts larger in size, and the underwear becomes tight and uncomfortable.

In addition, pain in the lower part of the mammary gland may signal the development of mastopathy or another disease. Therefore, if you experience discomfort, pain, or tingling, especially if they are present in only one breast, consult a mammologist. Self-medication will only aggravate the problem and trigger the disease. There are many more factors to which the breast reacts with pain or sensitivity.

Causes of pain

In the majority of cases, pain in the lower mammary gland is caused by the following reasons.

Pregnancy. After conception, under the influence of hormones, the processes of preparing the mammary gland for future feeding occur. The number of glandular lobes and milk ducts increases and puts pressure on nearby tissues and nerve endings. This causes discomfort and pain, which is localized in the nipple area, on the sides or at the bottom of the mammary gland.

In the second trimester, the fetus begins to actively grow, the abdomen enlarges, and the first stretch marks appear. At this time, a woman may feel discomfort in the ribs and chest. But there is no need to worry, it is better to be patient a little until the baby grows up and the stomach goes down, which will ease the condition. This happens around the 39th week of pregnancy. If the pain is constant, intense and does not subside for a long time, it is better to consult a gynecologist.

On the eve of menstruation. Many women of reproductive age experience breast pain before menstruation. It happens that it is impossible to touch her or put on underwear. Discomfort begins on days 14–16 of the cycle and may not stop until bleeding begins. This pain is called cyclic and occurs against the background of hormonal changes. After ovulation, there is a surge in the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for preparing the body for possible conception.

The mammary gland swells, hurts, and the nipples become sensitive. This is a natural process that does not require treatment. High-quality natural underwear, taking vitamins, and regular exercise to strengthen the pectoral muscles will help alleviate the condition. Often doctors, taking into account complaints of breast pain and sensitivity, diagnose mastodynia. This condition does not pose a risk to a woman’s health and does not affect future pregnancy or lactation, and can be easily eliminated by following the mammologist’s recommendations. With mastodynia, the lower part of the breast may pull, tingle or squeeze.

Feeding. Chest pain in a nursing mother should alert you. Basically, it is a consequence of improper attachment of the baby or a tight bra, but sometimes it indicates the formation of stagnation of milk (lactostasis).

Due to poor breast care, injury, hypothermia and many other reasons, the milk ducts become clogged and a painful lump occurs. If it is not eliminated in time by frequent baby latching or massage, then a more dangerous disease may develop - mastitis, which is accompanied by fever, redness of the mammary gland and severe pain. Mastitis can develop in any part of the breast, including the lower part.

To avoid illness, you need to follow the feeding recommendations:

• apply the baby correctly (make sure that he grasps the entire areola, and not just the nipple);
• alternate breasts during feeding (avoid stagnation of milk in one of them);
• do not injure or squeeze it with tight underwear;
• do not take long intervals between feedings;
• When breastfeeding ends, the baby should be weaned gradually;
• do not overcool the mammary gland.

If mastitis occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor to prescribe treatment. In advanced stages, an infectious process may occur and surgery will be required.

Mastopathy. The disease is characterized by the appearance of benign neoplasms of various types in the mammary gland. There are diffuse and nodular mastopathy. More often it occurs against the background of hormonal imbalance. With a nodule in the chest, pea-shaped lumps can be easily felt, which can be located both in the upper and lower parts. They are characterized by severe pain that radiates to the shoulder or armpit area. Sometimes there is a discharge of cloudy or clear liquid from the nipples. In the early stages, mastopathy is easily eliminated by conservative treatment; in advanced forms, a malignant tumor may develop against its background.

Uncomfortable underwear. Proper care, in particular, well-chosen underwear, can protect your breasts from many troubles. In cold and warm seasons, it is better to give preference to natural fabrics. They allow the skin to breathe, which reduces sweating and the likelihood of developing diaper rash. It is important to choose a bra according to size. If during pregnancy or lactation the mammary gland grows rapidly, you need several of them, and it is better to buy special ones for nursing mothers. The underwear should not be too tight or loose. The main function is to maintain the mammary gland. A good bra will not only protect you from possible diseases, but will also take care of the beauty of your breasts, keeping them firm and preventing sagging.

Pain under the mammary gland

Unpleasant sensations under the breasts are just a symptom that indicates many diseases.

If the pain is intense and intensifies with inhalation, this may signal the development of an inflammatory process in the lungs or intercostal neuralgia.

Sometimes the cause of pain is injury or bruise, even minor ones. During sports activities, physical labor, and active games, situations often arise when a blow is delivered to the mammary gland area or compression of the chest occurs.

Pain under the breasts also indicates a disruption in the functioning of internal organs. Therefore, if it bothers you for a long time, you need to consult a therapist or gastroenterologist. Cirrhosis of the liver, gastritis, ulcers, diseases of the esophagus and even stomach cancer are accompanied by pain that can radiate under the mammary gland.

Often women ignore discomfort in the lower breasts and make a serious mistake. It is better to visit a doctor and make sure that the discomfort is caused by physiological changes during pregnancy or before menstruation.

After all, there are cases that minor tingling or sensitivity hides serious disturbances in the functioning of internal organs or the development of tumors. This is especially true for women who plan to become mothers in the future or are already carrying a child under their hearts. Paying attention to your health will help protect yourself and your baby from unpleasant illnesses.