Pain radiating to the mammary gland. Sore breasts in women - the norm or a dangerous disease

Ovulation is the process of release of an egg into the lumen of the fallopian tube from the ovary. In this case, most often women experience discomfort and some soreness in the lower abdomen. This is understandable, but many also note soreness in the chest area. Why is this happening? Do I need to urgently run to the doctor or is the condition a variant of the norm?

Why does my chest hurt during ovulation?

In gynecology and mammology, there is a special term that defines soreness of the mammary glands during ovulation. This condition is called cyclic mastodynia. Experts consider this condition to be the norm for the female body.

In order to understand why this happens, you should know what the monthly cycle is for and what kind of changes in the woman's body take place. Ovulation occurs approximately in the middle of the menstrual cycle (somewhere in the second week after the end of the last period). Physiologically, it is characterized by the rupture of the follicle with a mature egg and its release from the ovary. At the same time, there is an increase in the level of progesterone, the female sex hormone, in the blood. This phase is called the luteal phase.

What is progesterone responsible for?

Progesterone in the female body is responsible for the possibility of fertilization and prepares the expectant mother for a possible pregnancy. First of all, the uterus directly experiences its influence on itself. The epithelium on it begins to grow and prepare for the implantation of a fertilized egg.

The hormonal surge does not go unnoticed by other target organs. The mammary gland is one of them. Pregnancy involves further lactation period - feeding the baby with breast milk. With an increase in progesterone levels, the production of prolactin, the hormone responsible for preparing the mammary gland for feeding, is stimulated. There is fluid retention in the glandular tissue, which a woman observes on the scales (weight fluctuation from one and a half to three kilograms during the day). The mammary gland is stretched, noticeably increases in size, swells. Pressure irritates pain nerve receptors and vascular bundles. Violation of patency through the vessels leads to an increase in their permeability and even greater swelling of the mammary gland due to flooding of the connective tissue. All this leads to a feeling of discomfort and soreness in the chest.

Why does my chest hurt after ovulation?

After ovulation, progesterone and prolactin levels remain high for some time, which is considered the best for conceiving a child. Then, 3-4 days before the onset of menstruation, the pain subsides, the hormonal background is rebuilt. With the onset of menstruation, there should be no pain in the mammary gland.

If fertilization has occurred, then the pain does not subside, but may even intensify. In this case, it makes sense to take a test to determine a possible pregnancy. If the test does not give results, and the discomfort persists, you must consult a specialist and undergo a diagnosis to rule out a possible pathology.

Why does my chest hurt before ovulation?

In the first phase of the female cycle, the hormone estrogen is synthesized. During puberty, it is the cause of the appearance of sexual characteristics in a girl, including being responsible for the growth of the mammary glands. This process is accompanied by pain.

After the hormonal changes are settled and puberty ends after menstruation, the pain in the mammary glands should disappear before the onset of ovulation. Sometimes discomfort in the area of ​​​​the glands appears 3-4 days before the rupture of the follicle. This is associated with the crossover of the hormonal background: there is still a lot of estrogen, and the level of progesterone begins to rise.

If the stomach and chest hurts after ovulation

After ovulation has occurred, soreness in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe mammary glands persists, but it is dull, aching in nature, causing discomfort. If there is an increase in pain against the background of pain in the abdomen, the likelihood of pregnancy is high.

During the period of ovulation itself, pain in the lower abdomen is natural. This is due to the fact that the rupture of the follicle itself is an injury, which is accompanied by cramping pain, may be accompanied by a feeling of nausea, sometimes vomiting is added. A woman at that time may feel weak, fatigue increases. After the egg begins its "journey" through the fallopian tube into the uterine cavity, the pain subsides, the condition returns to normal.

As soon as fertilization has occurred, the probability of which remains high for the first 48 hours after ovulation has occurred, the egg is implanted in the endometrium - the mucous layer at the bottom of the uterus. This process may be accompanied not only by pain, but also by bloody discharge from the vagina.

Pain in the nipples during ovulation

Before the release of the egg in the blood, there is a release of estrogen, which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone. After ovulation, the so-called corpus luteum remains in place of the burst follicle. It is this formation that produces progesterone.

On the 14th day, an increased concentration of female estrogen and an insufficient amount of progesterone at that time cause the characteristic symptoms of cyclic mastodynia:

• drawing pains in the mammary gland;
• increased sensitivity of the nipples;
• increase and swelling of the organ in size;
• symmetrical lesion.

Most of the nerve endings are concentrated in the nipples. With the growth of gland tissue under the action of progesterone, compression of the vascular bundles occurs. The impact is transmitted to the nerve endings - the woman feels pain in the nipples. It happens that patients note increased sensitivity and discomfort in the nipples. In this case, the breast tissue changes slightly.

Hormonal imbalance and the appearance of pain during the period of ovulation can cause stress, a previous abortion or miscarriage, and inflammation of the thoracic spine.

Another cause of pain in the nipples is the lack of sex. The oversaturation of the body with hormones in the middle of the cycle does not find the proper release, so the substances are sent to the target organs, where they produce the corresponding symptoms.

Swelling and pain in the nipples may worsen when taking oral contraceptives. The reason is an incorrectly selected drug, a violation of the medication, an insufficient or overestimated dosage. Mandatory consultation of a specialist and the decision of further tactics.

How to alleviate the condition?

There are a number of techniques that can improve the general condition of a woman.

1. The easiest way to relieve pain is to shower or bathe. Warm water dilates blood vessels, relieves swelling of the mammary gland. Additionally, you can use aromatherapy. Soothing scents will help relieve tension, which somewhat reduces the concentration of prolactin, which is a stress hormone.
2. It is recommended to perform self-massage. Movements should be light, sliding. Compression and pressure on the mammary gland is contraindicated. Edema tissues react extremely painfully to such manipulations.
3. During the period of ovulation, it is advisable to avoid sunbathing and hypothermia. Ice compresses are not recommended.
4. An important aspect of treatment is proper nutrition. For the period of ovulation, it is required to exclude coffee, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, chocolate, table salt, fatty and fried foods from the diet. It is possible to use vitamins A, B, C and E both with food and in the form of a medicinal supplement.
5. Phytotherapy. Alternative methods of treatment are aimed at calming the nervous system, relieving increased vascular tone. Tea and infusion based on mint, calendula, chamomile can reduce discomfort.
6. The patient should refrain from wearing compressive synthetic underwear, which further leads to swelling and pain. A bra should support, not compress, your breasts.
7. With severe pain, it is possible to take antispasmodics, painkillers.

How many days will the pain go away?

The time frame for the disappearance of discomfort is purely individual. In many ways, the duration depends on the level of hormones, the excitability of the receptors and the pain threshold of the patient. Usually pain accompanies a woman only during the "window of conception". This is the time interval of the hormonal surge of estrogen and LH, leading to ovulation, as well as the viability of the egg cell of 48 hours. If pregnancy does not occur, gradually the pain decreases, becomes rare and local.

Basically, discomfort during ovulation is minor, rarely leads to loss of performance. In some cases, PMS occurs on the eve of menstruation. During this period, there is a repeated increase in sensitivity and swelling of the mammary glands. When bleeding occurs, swelling and pain disappear. This is an absolutely natural process that does not need correction.

Is chest pain during ovulation always a normal variant?

In addition to physiological pain, the appearance of discomfort in the mammary glands may indicate the development of pathology.

1. Fibrocystic mastopathy is most often disguised as normal. In the chest there is an overgrowth of connective tissue. A characteristic feature of the pathology is the appearance of pain in the nipples during ovulation, with a peak before the onset of spotting. The gland swells, the sensitivity of the nipple increases. The appearance of secretions and nodes during palpation of the organ is possible.
2. There may be a hormonal imbalance in polycystic ovaries, thyroid pathology, endometriosis. Pathologies cause an increase in estrogen: the mammary gland increases, becomes sensitive. Endometriosis is characterized by discomfort in the nipple and areola area.
3. In addition, the appearance of a benign, malignant tumor of the breast tissue is possible. Beginning cancer is usually accompanied by a change in color, shape, size of the nipple or the gland itself. Characterized by exacerbation of sensitivity and unilateral lesion.
4. Mastitis. An inflammatory disease that occurs more often during lactation. A feature is the obvious signs of microbial damage: temperature, swelling, redness, soreness of the gland tissue.

To clarify the exact diagnosis, it is necessary to consult a specialist, conduct an additional examination.

When should you see a doctor?

It is quite difficult to draw a line between normal pain sensations and pathological ones. However, if certain signs appear that testify in favor of diseases of the reproductive system, it is recommended to consult a specialist. These symptoms include:

• severe, unbearable pain;
• damage to one mammary gland;
• discomfort does not go away 3-4 days after ovulation;
• the appearance of purulent, sanious discharge from the nipple;
• fever, redness, swelling;
• itching, burning;
• the occurrence of a rash;
• cracks, erosion of the nipples;
• compaction of the gland;
• causeless weight loss, weakness.

Early diagnosis can prevent serious consequences. The best prevention of the development of diseases is a regular annual visit to the gynecologist with an ultrasound of the pelvis and mammary glands. Additional consultations when symptoms appear or during pregnancy.

It is extremely important for a woman to know her menstrual cycle. It is better to keep a calendar, mark not only the end and beginning of menstruation, but also record all the sensations. Pain in the mammary glands during ovulation is physiological in nature. However, we should not forget that in some cases the pathology can be hidden behind minor ignored complaints. If necessary, do not delay going to the gynecologist. The reproductive well-being of a woman guarantees healthy offspring.

If a woman has one breast that hurts, but at the same time, pain and discomfort are almost not felt in the other, then this should alert and become a reason for contacting a mammologist. But first, find out all the possible causes of such a symptom.

The female mammary gland has a complex structure and is represented by several types of tissues: fatty, connective and glandular. If their ratio is violated under the influence of various factors, some changes may be observed, including those accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. The structure often changes under the influence of hormones, because the female breast is a hormone-dependent organ. And the background can undergo changes not only due to diseases or pathologies, but also in different phases of the cycle.

For most women, pain or discomfort in the mammary glands is observed before menstruation and is one of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). But in this case, two breasts are involved in the process at once, because hormones affect them almost equally. If only one breast hurts, this most likely indicates any pathologies and disorders. Therefore, if you find such a sign, you should visit a doctor.

The most common causes of pain

The reasons why one breast can get sick are very diverse. But the most common are:

• Mastopathy. This disease of a benign nature is diagnosed in approximately 70-80% of women and is characterized by pathological changes in the ratio of tissues and violations of the structure of the mammary glands. Moreover, two breasts can be involved in the pathological process at once, but unpleasant or painful sensations are sometimes observed in only one, which is associated with differences in structure and structural changes. So, in one mammary gland, benign neoplasms or pathologically overgrown tissue areas can be found, squeezing nerve endings and provoking pain.
• Mastitis often develops in lactating women due to stagnation of milk and inflammation of the mammary gland provoked by it. And if stagnation is observed in only one breast, then the symptoms will affect only it.
• Cyst. Such a neoplasm is a cavity filled with liquid, has a benign character and is localized, as a rule, only in one gland. Cysts are not always accompanied by pain and are sometimes discovered by chance during a routine examination. But if the neoplasm is of considerable size and compresses the nerve endings, then pain may well occur.
• Fibroadenoma is a tumor that is also benign in nature and is formed from connective and glandular tissues in violation of their ratio. If the fibroadenoma grows to a significant size, it can cause discomfort and cause symptoms such as pain, a feeling of fullness or heaviness.
• breast cancer. Unfortunately, this cancer is not rare. In the early stages, it almost does not make itself felt, but as the tumor grows, alarming symptoms may occur, for example, a feeling of fullness or heaviness, pain, hyperemia, pathological discharge from the nipple, changes in the size and shape of the mammary gland.
• Mechanical damage. Even one minor blow, which you immediately forgot about, can lead to bruising and damage to breast tissue and cause pain. By the way, the wearing of improperly selected underwear, which provokes squeezing of individual sections or the entire chest, can also be attributed to mechanical influences.

Rare causes of pain in one breast

We list less common reasons why one breast can hurt:

• Stretching of the pectoral muscles. It is quite possible if a woman goes in for sports or performs complex physical work without special training. With sprains, the pain, as a rule, is aching and intensifies during muscle involvement, that is, with hand movements, especially sharp ones.
• Fat necrosis is a rather rare condition that occurs due to significant damage in the absence of timely assistance. Pain will not be the only symptom, others will join it: changes in the structure and color of the skin, hyperemia, and bursting.
• Lung diseases. Since the respiratory organs are located in the chest, they can also lead to chest pain. But they can be distinguished from symptoms caused by changes in the structure and structure of the mammary glands. So, during palpation, the sensations do not increase, but they can occur and become more pronounced during deep breaths, with sharp raising of the arms and other movements, as well as with coughing. And although pain is often accompanied by sputum formation, perspiration and coughing, in some cases such signs are absent or appear to a small extent. For example, pneumonia can be almost asymptomatic and be accompanied by only barely noticeable discomfort.
• If one chest hurts, especially when changing body position or sudden movements, then intercostal neuralgia may be the cause of such a symptom. This condition develops as a result of irritation or compression of the nerve fibers and endings located between the ribs. Neuralgia can be caused by diseases of the spine or joints, stress, intense exercise and other factors. It manifests itself in the form of sharp shooting pains, which usually occur when bending, turning, raising arms and trying to change position.

Diagnostic Measures

If you notice pain in one mammary gland, then you should not expect it to disappear on its own and without intervention. You should contact a mammologist as soon as possible and undergo an examination in order to find out the causes of pain. Some neoplasms can be palpated, but more informative diagnostic procedures are required to clarify and make an accurate diagnosis.

To determine the causes of pain, diagnostic measures such as mammography, ultrasound of the mammary glands, radiography, ductography (a study with the introduction of contrast agents into the milk ducts), blood tests, as well as a puncture or biopsy to differentiate detected tumors can be prescribed.

Pain treatment is aimed primarily at eliminating the causes of the symptom and directly depends on them. In some cases, conservative therapy is sufficient, sometimes a specialist chooses expectant tactics without intervention, and sometimes surgery is required to remove neoplasms. Pain in one breast should alert and become a reason for contacting a mammologist. Take care of your health and do not delay your visit to a specialist.

Diseases of the mammary glands are very diverse and are characterized by numerous clinical manifestations: pain, including pressure, changes in the general appearance of the glands, the shape or structure of the glands (the appearance of seals, tumor-like formations in usually soft tissue).

Pain in one or both breasts (mastalgia) is one of the most common complaints in women of any age, but young women with menstrual function are more likely to experience this problem.

Most of the fears of women in this case are associated with the risk of developing breast cancer. However, isolated pain sensations are rarely a sign of this formidable disease, which is usually characterized by the concomitant presence of a tumor-like formation.

Causes of pain in one or both mammary glands:

* Hormonal changes during puberty (so-called puberty), as well as during pregnancy or menopause
* Premenstrual syndrome
* Mammary cancer
* Lactation
* Infectious diseases of the mammary glands (mastitis, breast abscess)
* Breast trauma, including surgical treatment
* Taking certain medications: estrogen-containing, digoxin, methyldopa, spironolactone, oxymetholone and chlorpromazine.

Main clinical options:

1. Cyclic mastalgia - pain associated with the menstrual cycle.

This type of violation is characterized by:

* The occurrence of pain in the premenstrual period and the weakening or disappearance with the onset of menstruation. Sometimes there is no clear connection with the onset of menstruation
* Usually bilateral localization, mainly in the upper, outer areas of the mammary glands
* Different intensity of painful sensations - from dull, aching (more often) to pronounced, making it difficult to move your hands, sleep
* Pain may radiate to the armpits or arm
* The examination may reveal slight tuberosity of the breast tissue
* The severity of clinical manifestations usually increases with age and sharply weakens or disappears after menopause.

The occurrence of cyclic mastalgia is associated with a change in hormonal levels. More than 2/3 of women, usually of young reproductive age, suffer from this type of disorder, although similar complaints are known in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy.

2. Acyclic mastalgia - the occurrence of chest pain not associated with the menstrual cycle. This type of disorder usually affects women over 40 years of age.

Characteristic:

* Pain is often unilateral
* Localization - mainly in the middle part of the mammary gland, around the nipple
* Acute, burning, cutting pain
* Can be either intermittent or continuous

Localized, long-lasting pain in the breast may be associated with the presence of a fibroadenoma (benign tumor) or cyst in it. However, in order to exclude more serious causes of acyclic mastalgia (for example, breast cancer), it is recommended to contact a specialist as soon as possible.

3. Mastitis and other infectious diseases. In addition to local symptoms (pain, redness, swelling of the mammary gland), they are accompanied by intoxication (fever, sometimes with chills, headache, loss of appetite, general weakness, etc.). Often mastitis occurs in the postpartum period due to the penetration of pathogens through the microcracks of the nipple and stagnation in the milk gland.

4. Breast cancer. In addition to varying degrees of pain (but they may be absent!) It is characterized by the presence of a tumor-like formation with fuzzy contours, more often in the upper outer areas of the mammary gland, it is possible to change the skin over the tumor in the form of wrinkling or “orange peel”, retraction of the nipple or discharge from it . The risk of developing breast cancer is higher in nulliparous women or women who gave birth to their first child late, in women with a hereditary predisposition, with overweight, the presence of mastopathy.

A mandatory diagnostic measure is self-examination of the mammary glands. It should become part of the routine of all women over the age of 20. Regular self-examination will allow you to get to know the shape and structure of your mammary glands well and easily identify any changes in them. Self-examination should be carried out once a month, preferably at the end of each menstruation or at the same time in postmenopausal women.

Self-examination rules:

* stand in front of a mirror
* first examine the mammary glands in front and from the sides in 4 positions:
o with hands down
o with hands up
o with hands placed on hips
o when the torso is leaning forward
* raising your left hand, with your right hand gently in a circular motion feel the entire left mammary gland in the direction from top to bottom
* similarly, but with your left hand feel the right mammary gland
* lie on your back, placing a roller under your right shoulder and placing your right hand behind your head. With straight fingers of the left hand, feel the right mammary gland from the periphery to the nipple
* similarly examine the left mammary gland with the right hand
* Gently squeeze the nipple to make sure there is no abnormal discharge
* feel the armpits.

Contact your doctor if you find:

* change in the shape, size or asymmetry of the breast
* thickening of tissue in the breast or armpit
* nipple retraction
* nipple discharge
* changes in the skin of the breast (redness, wrinkling, like "orange" or "lemon peel")

What should a woman with mastalgia do?

2. Annual consultation with a mammologist (specialist in diseases of the mammary glands), gynecologist or oncologist - especially for women over 35 years of age.

3. Women over 35 years of age (especially those at risk of developing breast cancer) are recommended to have an annual mammogram - an x-ray method for examining the mammary glands. Mammography is one of the methods of early diagnosis of breast cancer.

4. Other diagnostic methods include ultrasound, targeted biopsy of suspicious areas of breast tissue.

In most women with mastalgia, breast examination and mammogram results are normal. In this case, the diagnosis of breast cancer is unlikely and pain is most likely associated with changes in the mammary glands against the background of physiological hormonal fluctuations.

Treatment

In 60-80% of cases, pain in the mammary gland, in the absence of seals in its tissue, disappears on its own.
However, severe pain that interferes with your daily activities, lasting more than a few days each month, or the presence of symptoms indicating an inflammatory process (fever, redness and swelling of the breast, tenderness on pressure) requires treatment.

To date, there is no sufficient scientific data on the effectiveness of therapeutic measures for cyclic mastalgia.

Wearing an appropriate bra, a low-fat diet and dietary restriction of foods containing methylxanthines (eg, caffeinated foods), vitamin B and E intake are recommended. some women who adhere to these recommendations.

If these measures are ineffective, consult a doctor, because. it may be necessary to prescribe oral contraceptives or danazol (an antigonadotropic drug) in order to correct hormonal disorders. Avoid self-medication, including herbal preparations.

Treatment of acyclic mastalgia is based on the treatment of the underlying disease. If the cause is not established, apply the treatment plan as for cyclic mastalgia.

When a cyst or tumor is detected, surgical treatment is used, which can be supplemented with radiation or chemotherapy if the tumor is malignant.

Treatment of mastitis, depending on the stage and severity of the process, includes antibiotic therapy with / or without surgical opening of the inflammatory focus.

Dear women, remember that your breasts can be not only a perfect creation of Nature, but also a source of health-related problems. Therefore, if there is pain and / or a change in the shape, size and consistency of the mammary glands, contact a specialist. This will help preserve your health, and in some cases your life!

Every woman experiences chest pain at some point in her life. The appearance of soreness in the mammary glands is not a reason for panic fear, but this condition should not be taken lightly. To be calm for her health, every woman needs to be able to recognize the symptoms, consult a doctor in time, and be diagnosed in a timely manner.

Types of breast pain

When a woman has a breast pain, the sensations range from slight discomfort to severe bursting and painful burning, which significantly reduces the quality of life. The primary task of the doctor is to determine the type and cause of pain in order to prescribe adequate treatment. The largest number of complaints comes before the onset of menstruation. This is due to the cyclical changes in the female body that occur during pregnancy or after menopause, at the onset of menstrual syndrome or a week before the onset of menstruation.

Non-cyclic mastalgia or mastodynia (breast tenderness) may occur due to mechanical expansion of tissues by a benign or malignant tumor, local edema, excessive irritation of receptors by pathological nerve impulses, impaired microcirculation, or other factors. Non-cyclic mastalgia does not depend on the level of sex hormones and does not change during the ovarian-menstrual cycle.

The nature of pain in the breast

Pain or discomfort in the chest does not always indicate pathological disorders. Often such a symptom manifests itself with temporary hormonal disharmony of the female body. Less commonly, pain in the mammary glands is a consequence of sclerotic or inflammatory processes of the glandular tissue, a consequence of operations and injuries, and the development of neoplasms. According to the nature of the pain syndrome, pain is divided into:

• acute;
• dull;
• piercing,
• pulsating;
• burning;
• shooting;
• cutting;
• aching-pulling.

Causes of breast pain

Although more often chest pain in women is a normal biological process, sometimes it is a consequence of the manifestation of a disease. More often, pain is noted with mastitis, diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy. Less often, the mammary gland hurts when touched due to diseases such as herpes zoster (viral infectious pathology), Mondor's disease (superficial thrombophlebitis) and others.

Sometimes soreness is caused by diseases of the heart or spine. For example, when walking or inhaling, pain in the mammary gland on the left in women occurs, often accompanied by nausea - this is angina pectoris, hypertension or rheumatic heart disease. Also, mental disorders (racophobia and others) become the cause of functional discomfort in the chest. Soreness also manifests itself after mechanical damage - squeezing or a strong blow leads to a violation of the integrity of the mammary glands. Extensive hematomas strongly compress the surrounding tissues, which leads to severe pain.

During pregnancy

The breast of a pregnant woman undergoes multiple changes: it becomes sensitive, painful, enlarges, and the nipples change color. Sometimes it starts to itch and itch due to stretching of the skin or due to increased progesterone hormone. All of these changes are considered normal. If the mammary gland hardened during pregnancy, changed color, began to hurt a lot, increased unevenly, and blood is released from the nipples, then an urgent consultation with a mammologist is required.

At menopause

Pain in the mammary gland with pressure, deep probing, and even when wearing a tight bra can be observed during menopause. Mastalgia with menopause is manifested by the following symptoms:

• bursting or heaviness in both or one mammary gland without a clear localization;
• prolonged soreness of a baking, burning, aching character;
• short acute pain sensations (cutting, stabbing);
• an increase in the volume of one or both glands, swelling;
• excessive sensitivity or mild pain when pressed.

Intercostal neuralgia

Damage to the nerves between the ribs, which is accompanied by an acute pain syndrome, is called intercostal neuralgia. The disease is accompanied by paroxysmal burning or shooting pain in one or more places, depending on the localization. Neuralgia of the solar plexus, as a rule, is accompanied by soreness of the mammary gland. The chest hurts in the area of ​​attachment. On examination, the gynecologist does not find pathological changes or signs of any female diseases.

If, in addition to soreness of the mammary glands, cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, muscle tone and / or curvature of the spine are observed, then these symptoms indicate intercostal neuralgia of the thoracic region. With such a pathology, a woman may feel pain in one mammary gland, but upon careful examination, it turns out that the pain comes from the vertebral region of the back, localized under the scapula on the right. This is a sign of intercostal pinching of the nerves of the thoracic spine.

Mastopathy

The disease is characterized not only by pain, but also by the presence of seals in the mammary gland. As mastopathy develops, the pain becomes prolonged and severe. The most intense pain syndrome is observed during PMS, during menstruation and during palpation of the chest. The main reasons for the development of acute pain are the proliferation of connective tissue or blockage of the ducts.

Pain in mastopathy may vary, depending on the type of pathology. With a diffuse change in the tissues of the mammary gland due to their growth, the pain is in the nature of compression, increases with PMS, and after the end of the cycle it significantly decreases or disappears altogether. With nodular mastopathy, the following symptoms are observed:

• the pain does not go away throughout the entire menstrual cycle;
• discomfort is felt in the armpits, back, shoulder, forearm area;
• the nipple area becomes painful.

Fibroadenoma

A benign neoplasm located in the breast is called a fibroadenoma. The tumor is of glandular origin, and its structure is dominated by connective tissue. A benign fibroadenoma is distinguished from a malignant neoplasm by the fact that the pathology is not accompanied by severe pain and often does not manifest itself at all.

The back and other parts of the body also do not hurt. With fibroadenoma, there is no swelling, hyperemia, or weakness. The neoplasm is easily palpable and remains unchanged in any phase of the menstrual cycle. If the fibroadenoma starts to hurt, its structure has changed (there are no clear boundaries, induration, etc.) or the breast is swollen, this is a reason for an urgent visit to the doctor.

Mastitis

The inflammatory process in the tissues of the breast is called mastitis. Pathology occurs more often due to a staphylococcal infection. Bacteria enter the soft tissues of the breast through the milk ducts or with the blood stream if a woman does not comply with hygiene standards. Often mastitis is the result of milk stagnation during lactation. Among nursing mothers, the incidence ranges from 1 to 16%, depending on the place of residence.

Mastitis is manifested by a painful thickening in the gland, peeling and an increase in skin temperature in the focus of inflammation, redness, fever, general symptoms of intoxication (appetite disturbance, dizziness, weakness, migraine). With the progression of the disease, the pain intensifies, the chest becomes hot to the touch. When pumping, soreness increases, pus and spotting are found in the milk. Purulent mastitis can progress, after which an abscess develops.

Abscess

Pathology occurs after the penetration of bacteria through the nipple through cracks or other deformation. The causative agent of the abscess is streptococcus or staphylococcus. Sometimes a staphylococcal infection is combined with Escherichia coli or Proteus. The first signs of an abscess are fever, high temperature. The gland increases in size, thickens, becomes extremely painful, so a woman cannot use it for feeding. When the inflammatory process spreads to neighboring areas of the chest, the skin swells, turns red - this forms a visible abscess (abscess).

Crayfish

According to statistics, 3% of women who find a mobile painful ball in their breasts are diagnosed with cancer. Pain sensations occur after ordinary movements or palpation due to the effect on the nerve endings of the tumor. With the growth of oncology, healthy tissues are gradually replaced, and cancer covers an even greater volume of nerves. Breast tenderness is a sign of cancer. It manifests itself in different ways:

• sudden sharp pain that limits physical activity;
• prolonged soreness of a moderate or mild nature;
• penetrating pain syndrome with increasing intensity for half an hour.

Other causes of chest pain

Soreness of the mammary glands in women can have a non-trivial cause, after the elimination of which the discomfort disappears. The chest can be injured during sudden braking of the car or hurt after excessive physical exertion. Non-disease causes of pain:

• tight underwear;
• treatment of the thyroid gland with hormonal drugs;
• osteochondrosis;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• long-term use of oral contraceptives.

Risk groups for breast diseases

Among the risk factors for the development of periodic pain in the breast include environmental hazards, emotional balance, lack of constant sexual activity, and others.

There are many reasons why the chest hurts. I must say that all women have to face pain in the mammary gland, and more than once in their lives, moreover, this fate has not bypassed even men. This is due to the fact that the mammary gland is a hormone-dependent organ that reacts violently to any changes in hormonal regulation, moreover, it is also one of the most productive external secretion glands in humans, for lactation, the mammary glands are able to secrete up to 300-400 liters of milk depending on the length of the breastfeeding period.

In this article, we will deal with the causes of pain in the mammary gland at various periods of life, and we will especially note the symptoms that should cause you concern and make you see a doctor.

Puberty or why girls have chest pain

The onset of puberty in girls occurs at the age of 9-12 years, and is accompanied by a sharp increase in the level of hormones - estrogen in the blood. These are female sex hormones, under the influence of which secondary sexual characteristics are formed, including breast growth.

Your daughter, if you have a trusting relationship, may well come up to you with a question, why does your chest hurt when you touch it, and why is it swollen. The process is called thelarche, and may initially be one-sided, for example, only the right breast hurts.

Pain occurs due to stretching of the breast capsule with its rapid increase. The glandular tissue grows very quickly, and the connective tissue septa between the lobules of the gland, the fascia of the mammary gland cannot stretch so quickly. Approximately the same sensations are experienced by adult women if they wear a too tight bra, the squeezed mammary gland becomes painful, which is why the chest hurts in adolescents. Later everything goes back to normal.

An interesting fact is that during puberty, boys also have a moment when the hormonal storm in the body is reflected in the glandular tissue of the mammary gland, the breasts temporarily increase and become painful, like in girls. The reason is the same, the glandular tissue reacts to hormones, which is why a teenager has chest pains, and you should not be afraid of this phenomenon. This usually lasts from several months to a year and a half, and then passes without consequences, only in rare cases, the mammary glands remain enlarged in an adult man.

Reproductive period, menstruation and chest pain

Why the chest hurts in women due to changes in the menstrual cycle is understandable, there is a constant cyclical change in the hormonal background, and the chest simply cannot but react to it.

The reason why the chest hurts before menstruation is the increase in the level of progesterone in the woman's blood. Progesterone is responsible not only for maintaining a possible pregnancy, but also for changes in a woman's body that are necessary for carrying and feeding a child. Since the mammary glands are needed specifically for the production of milk, under the influence of progesterone produced after ovulation, the amount of glandular tissue in the breast increases, it becomes rough and painful. Not everyone has a chest pain before menstruation, there are just especially sensitive women who suffer from the so-called premenstrual syndrome or have mastopathy. A high level of progesterone explains why the chest hurts during menstruation, but these pains, like pain after menstruation, are no longer the norm and require the attention of a doctor.

Sexual arousal and orgasm in a woman cause the release of hormones, some ladies have a distinct erection of the nipples. This reaction, both reflex and hormonal, during intercourse is the reason why the chest hurts after sex. This undesirable effect is enhanced by the partner's excessive attention to this sensitive and tender part of the body, rough caresses of the breast are dangerous.

Why does my chest hurt during pregnancy?

Pain in the mammary glands is one of the. This phenomenon is so characteristic of the period of bearing a child that the absence of changes in the breast or the disappearance of pain is symptomatic for the doctor in relation to the pathology of pregnancy, for example, one of the reasons why the chest suddenly stopped hurting during early pregnancy can be or.

During gestation, the mammary glands undergo tremendous changes. Under the influence of pregnancy hormones, the glandular tissue grows rapidly, the breast increases by several sizes in a short time, such rapid growth is accompanied by stretching of the breast capsule, which is why the chest hurts during pregnancy, and of course, it becomes very dense and sensitive, and the skin often itches (risk ).

There are changes and nipples. Rapid stretching of the breast skin leads to overstretching of the areolas, and the skin here is very sensitive. The milk ducts grow, the nipples themselves increase in size, and of course, the fact that the phenomenon is completely normal and common. I must say that not all pregnant women have chest pain, and not necessarily in the first trimester. You may experience pain only in the last weeks, or only at the very beginning, this is a very individual matter. But in any case, pain is a signal that special care is needed, a good soft maternity bra is needed.

Even if the pregnancy is terminated for one reason or another, pain in the mammary glands may persist for some time. The body needs time for the hormonal balance to be restored, which is why for several days even after it has been done, the chest may still hurt and other signs of pregnancy may persist.

Why does a nursing breast hurt?

mean the beginning of lactation, which is accompanied by a rush of milk and a sharp increase in the breast, sometimes by 2 sizes at once. Of course, this is very individual, there are non-dairy women in nature who do not even know what breastfeeding is, but still in most cases it is a common occurrence in the first days after childbirth.

Then there is an alignment of milk production and the child's needs for it, and the pain no longer bothers.

There are 2 reasons why a nursing mother's chest hurts:

A rush of milk, stretching the lobules of the mammary gland and lactostasis. This is a dull pain, localized to a greater extent on the sides of the mammary glands, where the lobules are emptied worse during feeding. The release of the breast during feeding and pumping leads to a feeling of relief, but at the same time, soreness of the already devastated lobes of the mammary gland may persist, since overstretching them injures, which is why the chest hurts after feeding. Even the process of milk discharge during lactostasis can be accompanied by painful sensations, the chest hurts during feeding itself.

The second reason is dangerous, it is mastitis, inflammation of the mammary gland. Redness of the area of ​​the breast, pain and induration that do not go away despite feeding, an increase in body temperature indicate this complication, which, without timely help, usually requires surgical intervention.

Why female breasts hurt - dangerous reasons

Women's breasts sometimes hurt not because of physiological changes, the reasons can be dangerous to health.

Mastopathy is the most common and most "harmless" of these causes. With mastopathy, fibrotic changes occur in the mammary glands, the breast reacts violently to the usual cyclic changes in the woman's body, upon examination, numerous seals can be found, and discharge from the nipples is possible. With mastopathy, both breasts most often hurt, but the process can be one-sided, left or right.

Fibromas, fibroadenomas, are found even in young girls who do not live sexually. These changes, inherently precancerous, occur against the background of untreated mastopathy.

Mammary cancer. It is not necessary to explain the danger of this disease, this is a rather aggressive type of cancer, in which early diagnosis is very important.

If you periodically or constantly fill up and have severe chest pain, if there is pain in only one mammary gland, if there is discharge from the nipples, and you know that you are not pregnant, these symptoms are a reason to visit a mammologist. It is necessary to regularly self-examine the breast, if detected, you should also contact this doctor.