Discomfort in one breast. Why do my breasts hurt and ache, causes of pain in one breast, treatment

Many women are familiar with extremely unpleasant sensations and pain in the chest before menstruation. During this period, the breasts swell significantly, it is impossible to sleep on the stomach, the bra seems uncomfortable and tight. And many women instantly have all sorts of bad thoughts creeping into their heads: “My chest hurts - what if it’s...?”

However, often the cause of such chest pain is a common disease called mastopathy. Just don’t diagnose yourself and, of course, you don’t need to take any medications. Only a mammologist-oncologist can determine the true cause of chest pain and indicate appropriate treatment after an examination.

Why does my chest hurt?

The most common reason that causes chest pain is considered to be a banal hormonal change in the body during menstruation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with regular changes in women's hormonal levels. But, they can still lead to the development of mastopathy, that is, to benign changes that are associated with breast tissue. Nowadays, mastopathy has become a very common disease. According to statistics, it affects about sixty to eighty percent of women, and most of them are between the ages of twenty-five and forty-five. The main signs of this disease are lumps in the chest and, accordingly, pain.

The second most common cause of chest pain is mechanical damage to the mammary gland. Pain may occur due to a strong blow, due to strong squeezing of the chest or compression. This can be easily avoided by wearing a supportive, quality bra. It is recommended to pay special attention to this issue, because the breast is a fragile mechanism, and by purchasing comfortable “clothes” for it, you will get rid of many unpleasant cases.

Another significant cause of chest pain can be pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also, chest pain is possible due to insufficient sexual activity.

Possible causes (women)

In general, pain or excessive sensitivity of the breast can be caused by many reasons:

• hormonal changes during menstruation;
• retention of excess fluid in the body, which happens during menstruation;
• mechanical damage to the chest;
• pregnancy;
• breast-feeding;
• various infections;
• dangerous disease breast cancer.

Diseases during which chest pain may occur:

• 1 Dysplasia (benign) of the mammary gland and mastopathy.
• 2 Various inflammatory diseases of the mammary gland, for example, lactation mastitis.
• 3 Hypertrophy disease.
• 4 Some formations in the chest.
• 5 Other diseases.

Most women, having discovered some kind of lump in their mammary glands, immediately decide that they definitely have cancer and go to the doctor. Of course, a medical examination is, of course, a correct and competent decision, but you should not panic right away. It is absolutely not necessary that compaction and pain indicate the presence of a malignant tumor.

What to do?

Lumps in the chest are painless, and their size can be as small as a pea or occupy the entire gland. To obtain an earlier diagnosis of tumor processes, women should learn to properly examine their mammary glands. It is necessary to conduct a self-examination at least once a month. It is better to do this in front of a mirror. You should pay attention to the size and any changes in the shape of the breast. The condition of the skin, changes in color, the presence of rashes, and the shape of the nipples are examined. Next, you need to feel the chest: you should start with the left gland, it is convenient to do this in a lying position. Palpation is carried out with your fingertips clockwise, and not only the breast itself, but also the armpit, as well as the clavicular region. If enlarged lymph nodes, nipple discharge, or lumps are detected, it is better to immediately go to the doctor. Early detection of the disease, at the first stage, allows the doctor to carry out more successful surgical treatment, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The probability of curing the dangerous disease cancer at this stage is much higher than at the third and fourth stages. Regular examinations will help get rid of the disease much faster.

Many women (more than 70%) have experienced chest pain at least once in their lives. Typically, this condition worries women of reproductive age, but it is also possible during the postmenopausal period. According to statistics, approximately every tenth representative of the fair sex experiences discomfort in the mammary gland more than five days a month. Of course, such a situation has an impact on a woman’s condition, her mood, work and family life. Why might pain occur in the chest?

Nature of pain

The causes of pain are largely explained by its nature. Unpleasant sensations in the chest can be of two types:

1. Cyclical. In this case, pain is observed in both glands and spreads throughout their entire area, most affecting the outer and upper part of the chest. Characteristic signs are swelling, irritation of the gland, the appearance of a feeling of fullness and heaviness in it, and pain when pressed. Most often, the chest hurts in this way before menstruation, after which the discomfort gradually fades away. Pain of this nature occurs in two thirds of women aged 30-40 years.
2. Non-cyclical. Sensations of this type are usually localized in only one gland. In most cases, they occur in a specific place; much less often, non-cyclical pain is diffuse in nature, and the entire gland is completely affected. The nature of the pain is burning, irritating. Most often it is observed in women after 40 years.

Causes of cyclical chest pain

Knowing the factors that can provoke such a condition will help answer the question of why a woman is diagnosed with cyclical chest pain. The causes of pain in the mammary gland are as follows:

1. Hormonal changes caused by the monthly cycle. In the middle of the cycle, ovulation occurs, which entails a sharp increase in the production of hormones designed to prepare the body for pregnancy and childbirth. This cyclical pain is called mastalgia. With the onset of menstruation, all signs usually disappear.

   A dull, aching pain is usually localized in the upper outer quadrants of the chest. It manifests itself especially clearly when pressed. The pain can vary in intensity: from mild to severe, radiating to the arm or armpit. A similar condition is diagnosed in approximately 70% of the fair sex of reproductive age. Sometimes cyclic mastalgia is found in postmenopausal women receiving treatment with hormonal drugs.

2. Mastopathy. This disease is characterized by pathological proliferation of breast tissue. Why does it arise? The cause of mastopathy lies in a woman’s hormonal imbalance. In the first stages of the disease, its symptoms appear before menstruation and then disappear. In advanced cases, they are observed constantly. With mastopathy, the main symptom is pain in the mammary glands, they become swollen and swollen. With palpation, you can feel the seals. A woman's chest hurts when pressed. This condition requires mandatory treatment.
3. Imbalance of fatty acids in the body. Such a disorder usually leads to increased sensitivity of the mammary gland to hormones. Taking primrose oil helps eliminate the problem, the peculiarity of which is to normalize the balance of fatty acids.
4. Pregnancy. To maintain pregnancy, progesterone is actively produced in a woman’s body. It causes the growth of alveolar tissue, which increases the volume of the mammary gland and is intended to prepare it for lactation. Almost every woman during pregnancy feels that her breasts are sore and swollen. Later the discomfort disappears. Pain may recur at the end of the third trimester. The glands become engorged and painful.
5. Abortion. After an artificial termination of pregnancy, chest pain may occur. They usually go away within 1-2 weeks. If discomfort does not disappear for a long time, you should consult a doctor. Sometimes they are explained by the continued growth of the fertilized egg due to an error in surgical intervention, sometimes caused by a hormonal imbalance.
6. Taking a number of hormonal drugs used in the treatment of infertility, as well as some contraceptives. In addition, similar problems can be caused by taking certain antidepressants.

Causes of non-cyclical chest pain

The causes of non-cyclical pain are usually associated not with hormonal imbalance, but with anatomical changes that have occurred in the gland. In most cases, unpleasant sensations are explained by the following circumstances:

• Mechanical damage to the mammary gland. Breast pain can be caused by injury. Squeezing or compression of the gland caused by the wrong choice of underwear can also lead to pain. To avoid the occurrence of such problems, every woman should carefully select a bra when in transport or in crowded places, try to protect her breasts from shocks and impacts.
• Breast surgery.
• Fibroadenoma. This is the name of a benign tumor localized in the mammary gland. This is one of the forms of nodular mastopathy. When pressing on the patient, a mobile round formation not associated with the skin can be detected. It can be either small (2 mm) or large (up to 7 cm).
• Mastitis. With mastitis, inflammation begins in the mammary gland. The chest turns red, the skin over the affected area becomes red, and the temperature of both the local and the body as a whole increases. The disease develops very quickly (within a couple of days). The overwhelming majority of patients are nursing mothers. Why does this disease occur? There are two reasons for the appearance of this pathology: milk stagnation (lactostasis) and infection (it enters the body through damage to the nipples). Mastitis needs immediate treatment, since if left untreated it can lead to extremely negative consequences. In rare cases, the disease is diagnosed in non-lactating women.
• Breast cancer. In rare cases, discomfort in the gland is a sign of breast cancer. Usually at an early stage the disease does not cause discomfort. The reason to consult a doctor is the retraction of the nipple, the appearance of discharge from it, enlargement of the lymph nodes, and a palpable compaction in the tissues.
• Breast abscess. This is a disease in which suppuration occurs in a certain area of ​​the chest, separated from other tissues. This pathology is quite rare and is of a secondary nature. An abscess is a consequence of some other inflammatory disease of the breast, such as mastitis.
• Cyst. Such a pathology can cause discomfort in the gland. Filling with liquid, the formation begins to put pressure on the surrounding tissues, which leads to discomfort. The pain can be both sharp and aching, dull. If a cyst is detected, the patient must consult a doctor to find out the causes of the disease and undergo treatment.

Chest pain may also not be related to the mammary gland, but may be dictated by problems with muscles, nerves, joints, or the chest wall. The causes of chest pain lie in diseases such as scoliosis, osteochondrosis and other disorders of the skeletal system. Heart disease also often leads to pain (for example, angina pectoris).

Every woman should remember that chest pain is a symptom of a variety of diseases. Only a specialist can find out exactly why the mammary glands hurt. That is why, if any unpleasant sensations occur, you should consult a doctor. The earlier treatment is started, the more likely a complete cure is.

vashmammolog.ru

Why can the mammary glands hurt?

Breast pain can be caused by many reasons. These could be hormonal changes, breastfeeding, muscle pain, infections, breast diseases (tumors), incorrectly selected bra, taking hormonal medications, lack of sexual relations. 70% of women of childbearing age complain of chest pain. Unpleasant sensations during hand movements, pain when touching the mammary gland are signs of mastalgia. Mastalgia can appear during menstruation and go away after it ends; such pain is called cyclical. Systematic cyclical pain covers both breasts, their upper and outer areas become the most sensitive. The woman feels the heaviness and fullness of the mammary glands, the breasts become full and swollen. Resting on your stomach becomes impossible, your favorite bra is pressing. There are changes in the woman's behavior, she becomes irritable and unbalanced. Cyclic pain appears a week before the onset of menstruation and dulls after its onset.

The appearance of cyclical mastalgia can be explained by a hormonal disorder that occurs during menstruation. Pregnant and menopausal women do not experience such discomfort; hormonal disruptions do not occur in their bodies. Cyclic pain can be triggered by the use of certain hormonal drugs used to treat infertility and contraceptives. The cyclic type is the most common type of pain in women under forty years of age. But even after forty, cyclical pain may not subside, the reason is the use of hormonal drugs or antidepressants.

Mastalgia tends to bother a woman on other days; pain not associated with the menstrual cycle is called non-cyclical. Non-cyclical pain affects one breast, usually a separate part of it. Often, mastalgia also affects the armpit area, limiting arm movements. Aching sensations with sudden movements and pressure develop into severe pain. The cause of non-cyclical pain is non-hormonal changes occurring in the chest. These are anatomical changes in tissue. According to statistics, women over forty suffer from non-cyclical mastalgia.

Irregular pain may be due to other reasons not related to the mammary gland. For example, muscle pain may radiate to the chest.

A woman is suspicious; after reading about any disease, she begins to sound the alarm; she observes some of the symptoms in herself. Don’t rush to panic; you can’t deal with the mass of diagnoses on your own. Even if you find a lump, do not despair; be sure to go to an appointment with a gynecologist or mammologist.

To make it easier to make the correct diagnosis, consider answering some questions:

1. How long have you been in pain?
2. Does one breast hurt or both?
3. Does pain depend on the monthly cycle?
4. When did you notice the lump?
5. When was the last time you had an ultrasound or mammogram?
6. What medications do you use?
7. Have you noticed any discharge from the nipple?

Having received the necessary information, the doctor will make the necessary appointments. Be attentive to your own health; timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious consequences.

mamapedia.com.ua

Why do breasts hurt in women - causes, symptoms, solution to the problem

Chest pain in women is one of the most common female ailments, always causing concern, anxiety and even panic. It can have a number of causes, not all of which are dangerous and require treatment. Let's look at why your chest hurts, listen to the explanations of a medical specialist in the video and find out how to solve the problems that have arisen.

Even completely healthy mammary glands sometimes hurt. They are especially sensitive during hormonal changes, they can swell, and sometimes ladies feel painful thickenings under their fingers. The causes of such diseases, in most cases, are not dangerous. However, it is necessary to tell your doctor about them and take immediate measures to eliminate them.

Why does your chest hurt, reasons, what to do

Pain in the mammary glands can signal the approach of menstruation. It usually does not cause anxiety, because you know that when “difficult days” approach, you will experience discomfort in your body. Pain in this situation is caused by hormonal changes, which cause water retention in the body.

What to do. It is recommended to wear a well-fitted bra with a soft cup during this time. Avoid drinking strong coffee and tea before a difficult period, give up chocolate - these products contain ingredients that increase bleeding and soreness. However, when every movement increases pain, you should seek help from a doctor. He will prescribe the necessary examinations that will determine and eliminate the cause.

It is necessary to periodically conduct self-examination of the mammary glands and diagnosis. And a mammologist will teach you how to do this correctly. I specially selected a detailed training video.

Breast pain during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pain is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. Just a few days after ovulation, the sensitivity of the mammary glands increases; even a simple touch can cause discomfort.

Take a pregnancy test. If the result is positive, already in the first trimester sensitivity and pain will begin to increase. To solve the problem, avoid lace push-up bras. Massaging the glands with warm water during a shower or using olive oil for babies will bring relief. When the gland swells and redness appears, inflammation may have begun in it, which requires immediate medical examination and treatment.

Feeding the baby may cause pain. In the first days after childbirth, when the mother begins to feed the baby, the nipples may hurt, which, out of habit, crack and bleed. In a later period, a common cause of pain is stagnation of milk.

To fix these problems:

• lubricate the nipples with your milk or regenerating ointments for nursing mothers (calendula ointment, sea buckthorn oil and rosehip oil, which I applied to the nipple on a piece of cotton wool after feeding, helped me well);
• if milk stagnation, feed the baby every hour;
• Apply a warm compress to your breast before feeding;
• During feeding, use light hand movements to massage the breasts from the base to the nipple, helping the outflow of milk;
• then apply a cool compress to the mammary gland.

If milk stagnation occurs too often, seek medical help. It is also worth doing when the breasts swell, become hard, hot, and an increase in body temperature is felt. The clinic will prescribe painkillers and antibiotics that will cope with inflammation.

The picture shows other pathological and non-pathological causes of chest pain, consider them and remember them.

Pain in the mammary glands with mastopathy and tumors

Mastopathy is changes in the glandular and fatty tissue of the mammary gland that appear on a hormonal background. It is manifested by compaction in one or both mammary glands. Complaints about such phenomena most often occur in women between 30 and 50 years of age. It is recommended to observe and examine the glands every month. Mastopathy is not a cancerous disease, but changes in the tissues of the glands should be monitored - the doctor prescribes ultrasound and mammography. People use clay compresses for treatment.

The pain may be caused by a reaction to a pinched nerve when a tumor develops in the chest pressing on it. The pain in such a situation can be stabbing or burning, localized in a specific place. Symptoms may be accompanied by loss of sensation or tingling around (dull pain may indicate the presence of a cyst). In the case of such diseases, painkillers are used, but to find out the cause, you just need to visit a doctor and undergo an examination.

The picture clearly shows the symptoms of mastopathy and tumor processes in the mammary gland.

Why do breasts hurt during hormonal contraception?

Sometimes it happens that chest pain is caused by some hormonal contraceptives - this is due to the incorrect selection of the drug. A woman who experiences migraines, spotting between periods, or chest pain should see a doctor and change pills. Also, hormonal contraception requires strict adherence to the rules of administration so that it effectively protects you, does not harm your health, and does not cause discomfort in the mammary glands.

Correct use of hormonal contraception

What should I take the pills with? Be especially careful with fruit juices, they have a bad effect on the absorption of the drug (especially grapefruit juice). It is better not to drink them with coffee or tea. It is safest to use plain water.

You need more calcium. If you have been using contraception for a long time, it is necessary to monitor the level of calcium in the body. Disturbances in estrogen production caused by medications can increase the body's need for calcium. If it is deficient, problems with metabolism, blood clotting disorders, and the development of caries may occur. If there is a deficiency of this element, the body begins to “steal” the missing amount of minerals from the bones. This condition can result in the appearance of diseases. Therefore, look at what natural foods contain calcium and be sure to include them in your diet.

Weakening the effect of drugs

1. If you smoke cigarettes and use hormonal pills, you can seriously harm yourself. This happens because nicotine, in combination with the female hormone estrogen, increases blood clotting. This situation affects the formation of blood clots that block blood vessels, promotes thrombosis, blockage of the pulmonary artery, and coronary heart disease. This is especially true for young women over 35 years of age. If the doctor prescribed you pills without asking if you smoke cigarettes, it’s better not to take the risk and give up the bad habit.

2. If you take contraceptives for a long time, it is important to regularly check how hormones are affecting your liver. There is absolutely no need to wait until she “goes on strike” demanding help. After all, one of the possible consequences of using drugs may be a violation of bile secretion.

3. Infection weakens the effect of medications. If, for example, you have the flu, vomiting and diarrhea, and less than an hour has passed since taking the pill, you should be especially careful. There is a possibility that the hormones did not have time to penetrate the blood and were removed from the body. Therefore, you cannot have any confidence that the tablets will remain effective.

4. When using hormonal contraception while losing weight, it may happen that the opposite effect is obtained and you gain 2-3 extra pounds. It is the fault of estrogen, which promotes water retention in the body, which causes swelling and slight weight gain. Once you get used to the drug, your weight should stabilize. If you continue to gain weight, go to the gynecologist.

5. There are medications that interact with contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness. This is how antibiotics, sedatives, sleeping pills, antifungal and diuretic drugs, and the herb St. John's wort work. Even activated charcoal reduces the absorption of hormones into the blood. Stomach problems and components of antidepressants have a bad effect on the liver, so hormones are removed from the body and their insufficient levels do not provide protection against unwanted pregnancy.

In the video, the doctor will tell you in more detail why women have breast pain:

• what are the pains in the mammary glands;
• will indicate the most common reasons for their occurrence;
• will tell you which specialist to contact;
• what research needs to be done.

In the article, we looked at a number of reasons why women have breast pain, symptoms of disease, and what to do to solve the problem. But to preserve your invaluable women’s health, in case of any ailments, immediately seek qualified help and examination to avoid serious diseases. Good to know: about the three periods of menopause, how to eat properly during menopause.

SAVE TO YOUR SOCIAL PAGE. NETWORKS.

zdorovo3.ru

Breast pain: causes

Today on the website Shtuchka.ru we will talk about a problem that affects women of any age: what are the reasons that the mammary glands hurt? We will tell you not only about the reasons for the appearance of this kind of pain, but also about when it is worth taking some measures immediately.

If a woman has pain in one breast, but almost no pain or discomfort is felt in the other, then this should alert you and be a reason to consult a mammologist. But first, find out all the possible causes of this symptom.

The female mammary gland has a complex structure and is represented by several types of tissue: 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 some pathology or disorder. Therefore, if such a sign is detected, you should visit a doctor.

The most common causes of pain

The reasons why one breast may become sore are very diverse. But the most common are the following:

• Mastopathy. This benign disease is diagnosed in approximately 70-80% of women and is characterized by pathological changes in the ratio of tissues and disturbances in 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 only in one, which is associated with differences in structure and structural changes. Thus, in one mammary gland benign neoplasms or pathologically overgrown areas of tissue may be found, compressing the nerve endings and causing pain.
• Mastitis often develops in lactating women due to stagnation of milk and the inflammation of the mammary gland provoked by it. And if congestion is observed in only one breast, then the symptoms will affect only that breast.
• Cyst. Such a neoplasm is a fluid-filled cavity, is benign in nature and is usually localized in only one gland. Cysts are not always accompanied by pain and are sometimes discovered by chance during a routine examination. But if the tumor is significant in 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 when their relationship is disturbed. If a fibroadenoma grows to a significant size, it can cause discomfort and cause the development of symptoms such as pain, a feeling of fullness or heaviness.
• Breast cancer. Unfortunately, this type of cancer is not rare. In the early stages, it hardly makes itself felt, but as the tumor grows, alarming symptoms may arise, 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 that you immediately forgot about can lead to bruising and damage to the breast tissue and cause pain. By the way, mechanical influences include wearing incorrectly selected underwear, which provokes compression of individual areas or the entire breast.

Rare causes of pain in one breast

Here are some less common reasons why one breast may hurt:

• Stretching the pectoral muscles. It is quite possible if a woman plays sports or has performed complex physical work without special training. With sprains, the pain, as a rule, is aching and intensifies during muscle activation, that is, when moving the arms, especially sharp ones.
• Fat necrosis is a fairly rare condition that occurs due to significant damage in the absence of timely treatment. Pain will not be the only symptom; others will join it: changes in the structure and color of the skin, hyperemia, distension.
• Lung diseases. Since the respiratory organs are located in the chest, they can also lead to pain in the chest. But they can be distinguished from symptoms caused by changes in the structure and structure of the mammary glands. So, with palpation the sensations do not intensify, but they can arise and become more pronounced during deep breaths, with sudden raising of the arms and other movements, as well as with coughing. And although the pain is often accompanied by the formation of sputum, tickling and coughing, in some cases such signs are absent or appear to a minor extent. For example, pneumonia can be practically asymptomatic and accompanied only by barely noticeable discomfort.
• If one breast hurts, especially when changing body position or sudden movements, then the cause of this symptom may be intercostal neuralgia. 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 the 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 consult a mammologist as soon as possible and undergo an examination to find out the causes of the 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 puncture or biopsy to differentiate detected tumors may 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 a wait-and-see approach without intervention, and sometimes surgery is required to remove tumors. Pain in one breast should alert you and be a reason to contact a mammologist. Take care of your health and do not delay visiting a specialist.

Breast pain is a common complaint among premenopausal women; pain in the mammary gland is much less common in older women. When your chest hurts, there can be many reasons, some of which are quite serious and pose a threat to life and health.

Find out why your chest hurts and aches on one side, what treatment is most appropriate in one case or another.

Basically, in medicine there are 2 types of chest pain:

Cyclical pain. When the mammary gland hurts cyclically, the causes of pain most likely lie in the body’s preparation for the next menstrual cycle. In such cases, a woman experiences pain in both mammary glands at once.

This kind of pain is not pathological and is observed in many women on the eve of menstruation. There is no point in worrying about them every month and there is no point in seeing a doctor.

Non-cyclical pain sensations. When the chest hurts without frequency, this indicates the presence of a non-cyclical nature of the pain. In this case, it often hurts not in both glands at once, but only on one side. What are the causes of this syndrome?

Non-cyclical pain, usually aching in nature, can intensify when moving the arm or touching the chest.

Reasons: why does your chest hurt?

Common

The reasons why one mammary gland hurts are varied:

Mastitis– the process of inflammation of breast tissue. When developing in the postpartum period, the first signs of mastitis can be noticed 3-4 days after birth. There is stagnation of milk in the breast, and this is the cause of mastitis in women in labor.

This pathology also occurs in healthy women, not only in those who have recently given birth and those who are breastfeeding. When the immune system is weakened and chronic disease processes begin in the body, for example, with sinusitis, bronchitis, and the like, pathogenic microorganisms can enter the mammary gland, causing inflammation in it.

Mastopathy- another reason why one breast may hurt. The disease is characterized by the formation of benign neoplasms, represented by the proliferation of ducts inside the lobules, gland vesicles and connective tissue.

Therefore, some of the structures in the chest shrink, others expand, and this leads to a feeling of pain, which can radiate to the armpit and even limit the movement of the arm.

This pathology is formed against the background of severe hormonal disorders; mastopathy is dangerous because benign neoplasms can degenerate into malignant ones.

Fibroadenoma– the cause of pain in the mammary gland on one side. Here, a small benign tumor is formed from connective and glandular tissue.

It is directly related to the work of the hormonal glands. If the examination is carried out the day before or during the menstrual cycle, the tumor noticeably decreases in size.

Cancer- an insidious disease. Moreover, in the mammary gland at an early stage it practically does not show itself as painful sensations.

As the tumor grows, it affects the nerve endings, and pain in the mammary gland begins. The nature of the pain is individual and largely depends on the location of the tumor.

Incompletely cured mastopathy and late childbirth contribute to the development of cancerous tumors in the mammary glands.

Rare causes

Fat necrosis. Frequent causes are injuries in the mammary glands. Pathology is often confused with cancer.

Cyst- a cavity of connective tissue filled with fluid. If there is pain in one breast, the development of a cyst is explained by several assumptions, although it is not completely known why it occurs. A cyst in the mammary gland is dangerous because with any injury there is a risk of damage to the walls and the contents of the cyst can spill into the surrounding tissue.

Pain with cysts is usually severe and cannot be ignored.

Tight clothes. A bra that is incorrectly sized or made of synthetics may be the reason why the mammary gland often hurts.

Due to too tight tissue in the gland, stagnation processes begin, blocking proper blood circulation. If the harmful effects are not stopped in time, the mammary gland can become the site of the formation of malignant neoplasms.

When to see a doctor?

If you are concerned about non-cyclical pain in one gland, this is a definite reason to consult a surgeon or mammologist. Pay special attention to this:

1. The mammary gland has noticeably changed in size and shape, and asymmetry of the bust can be seen.
2. The nipple is changed: it can be retracted into the gland, or it can respond by releasing fluid to pressure.
3. When palpated, it is possible to detect a compaction in or around the gland.
4. There is pain when pressed.
5. The skin of the mammary gland or around it has undergone any noticeable changes: it has become rough, redness, and peeling have appeared.

It is necessary to carefully assess the condition of the bust and if suspicious symptoms appear, do not postpone a visit to a specialist so that the situation does not worsen.

Breast pain: diagnosis and definition of the disease

Pain in one gland is not a symptom of any specific disease, which is why it is necessary to consult a specialist to understand the cause of the disease. The doctor, after listening to the complaints, evaluates:

1. Duration of pain.
2. Dependence of sensations on the menstrual cycle.
3. Localization of pain.
4. Are there any seals and where are they located relative to the site of pain?
5. Are there any changes in the nipple?
6. Could the changes in the glands be associated with taking hormonal medications?

After assessing the patient's general condition and examining the breasts, the doctor will have a rough idea of ​​what tests and diagnostic methods are best prescribed to confirm the suspected diagnosis. Also, after receiving the examination results, it will be possible to choose treatment tactics.

Most often, women complaining of pain in one breast are prescribed:

1. General blood analysis.
2. Blood chemistry.
3. Chest X-ray.
4. Mammography.

In some cases, when diagnosis is difficult, they resort to repeating studies using contrast agents.

Breast pain: treatment

The choice of treatment method for pain that occurs in one breast depends on the specific disease that caused it.

Unsystematic treatment, based on a single symptom and not taking into account the diagnosis as a whole, may not only not relieve a woman of pain, but also aggravate the situation.

You can begin treatment only when an accurate diagnosis has been established and the doctor has chosen a treatment regimen. In some cases, therapy only involves taking medications to achieve a particular result, and sometimes it is necessary to resort to surgery to eliminate the pathology.

If a woman notices pain in her breasts or any changes in its shape and structure, then this is a reason to consult a mammologist rather than self-medicate at home. Examination and proper therapy will help you get rid of pain and avoid more serious consequences.

Breast pain: what to do - video

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How to do breast self-examination correctly?

On the video channel “Union of Pediatricians of Russia”. Mammologist M.L. Travina tells how to properly do self-examination of the mammary glands.

Almost every woman experienced pain in her right breast. Most often, women of reproductive age experience pain in the mammary gland. After menopause, this problem occurs quite rarely.

Localization of pain in the right chest

Pain in the mammary gland most often occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance, when an increased production of sex hormones begins in a woman’s body, which is clinically manifested by discomfort and pain.

In addition, a fairly common reason why pain occurs in the right chest is mechanical injury.

Pain under the right breast can also occur in various pathological conditions of the body (breast diseases, spinal injuries, renal colic, intercostal neuralgia, stomach diseases and a number of others).

Causes

Pain in the right chest can occur as a result of various causes. These can be both diseases of the mammary gland and pathologies of nearby organs, the course of which is accompanied by the appearance of pain.

Mastopathy

The most common reason why the right breast hurts is fibrocystic disease of the mammary glands (mastopathy). The pain associated with this disease is aching or pulling and does not cause serious discomfort to the woman. That is why only a few consult a doctor about mastopathy in a timely manner. But in vain! After all, if you start this disease, you can get quite serious complications.

Mastitis

An infectious disease, the course of which is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process in the mammary gland, is called mastitis. Most often, this pathology occurs in nursing women, when the infection penetrates the gland tissue through cracks and wounds in the nipples that form during the feeding of the child.

With mastitis, severe pain is observed in the affected gland and an increase in temperature to 38 degrees and above. If left untreated, a purulent abscess may form, which is removed surgically.

Cancer

Chest pain on the right side may be a symptom of breast cancer. The main danger of this disease is that pain in the mammary gland and other clinical signs (deformation of the nipple, the appearance of bloody discharge, and so on) appear in the later stages of cancer, when it is already difficult to save the patient. In the initial stages, the disease is asymptomatic.

Chest injury

Pain in the mammary gland may appear after mechanical damage to breast tissue, as well as skin and ribs due to a blow or fall. Clinically, this is manifested by severe chest pain, which intensifies with palpation. When a rib is fractured, an irritating cough and shortness of breath are often observed.

Neuralgia

Chest pain on the right may occur due to intercostal neuralgia. The pain in this disease can be either dull or sharp, intense and piercing, radiating to the lower back and shoulder blade.

Many patients believe that this is pain in the heart, since it is known that with diseases of the cardiovascular system such as pericarditis or angina, chest pain can be observed not only on the left, but also on the right. The doctor’s task in this case is to conduct a differential diagnosis and make the correct diagnosis.

Unlike heart diseases, with neuralgia the pain does not go away immediately after taking cardiac medications (valocordin or nitroglycerin).

In addition, unlike angina pectoris and pericarditis, with neuralgia the pain intensifies with physical activity.

In addition to neuralgia, pain in the chest on the right can be observed with mental disorders.

Pneumonia and pleurisy

Another cause of pain in the right chest is pleurisy, which occurs as a complication after pneumonia or bronchitis. The pain appears first on the right, and then can spread to the entire sternum.

In addition, the right chest may hurt after a long dry, hysterical cough (with viral diseases, bronchitis, whooping cough). The cause of pain in this case is overstrain of the intercostal muscles.

Other reasons

Under the right breast in people there is a liver, part of the intestines, part of the diaphragm and part of the gallbladder; accordingly, with diseases of these organs (hepatitis, renal colic, pancreatitis, inflammation of the gallbladder), pain may occur in the right breast.

Diagnostics

In order for the doctor to identify the cause of pain in the right chest, he needs to conduct a series of studies:

1. Anamnesis collection. The doctor conducts a survey of the patient, during which he inquires about the patient’s health status, asks whether the patient has previously had breast diseases and, if so, what kind, and so on;
2. Inspection. During this manipulation, the doctor measures the patient’s pulse and pressure, listens to the lungs and heart, and then palpates the chest to identify lumps and other signs of possible pathology;
3. X-ray and mammography. Using these research methods, it is possible to identify many diseases of the mammary gland, as well as diagnose pathologies such as fractures and cracks of the ribs, diseases of the respiratory system and cardiovascular system;
4. ECG. It is carried out if the doctor suspects heart disease;
5. Ultrasound of the breast. This study is an important step in breast cancer prevention for women under 35 years of age;
6. Blood and urine tests. They help detect the inflammatory process in the body.

Treatment

After consulting a doctor who will find out the reason why the right nipple or the entire right breast hurts, women receive detailed recommendations for treating the disease. Treatment for pain in the right breast should be started only after an accurate diagnosis has been made.

Thus, in case of pneumonia, all efforts of doctors are aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process in the lungs. For this purpose, a course of antibiotics, cough expectorants, B vitamins, and so on are prescribed.

If the cause of pain is spondylosis or intercostal neuralgia, then the use of local and oral analgesics to relieve pain, NSAIDs, and muscle relaxants is indicated. In addition, the doctor prescribes physiotherapeutic treatment.

If pain in the right breast occurs as a result of diseases of the internal organs (hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis), then the underlying disease is treated.

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What causes pain in the right breast and how to deal with it

Doctors unanimously say that every woman should conduct a self-examination of her mammary glands from time to time. Moreover, she should be familiar with all the signs and symptoms that may indicate the development of a particular disease. It is especially worth paying attention to the fact that you have pain in one breast, right or left.

Why does my right breast hurt?

Women who are attentive to their health most often turn to a mammologist with complaints of pain in the right mammary gland, which occurs for the following reasons:

All of the above reasons, although they can cause discomfort in the chest, are still not very dangerous and, moreover, are easily treatable.

The main thing is to understand that lumps, tumors and pain in the breast on the right are unlikely to go away on their own (with the exception of menstrual syndrome), so it is not recommended to delay contacting a mammologist.

Breast cancer as a cause of pain in the right breast

Breast cancer is not common in women, however, it cannot be completely ruled out. Oncological diseases include a number of diseases that are malignant in nature. If you have pain in the right chest, and the cause is cancer or any other oncological diseases, then you can detect it yourself in the first stages of formation.

The main signs indicating the presence of cancer or oncological disease:

• the presence in the right chest of any lumps or neoplasms, both benign and malignant;
• lymph nodes in the armpits cause sharp, aching pain;
• inverted and dry nipple on the mammary gland;
• discharge from the nipple is green or white, but you are not breastfeeding during this period.

If your right mammary gland hurts for at least one of these reasons, then you need to immediately consult a specialist. The more accurately and in detail you describe the sensations in your breasts, the more accurately the mammologist will be able to imagine the overall picture of the disease.

Indirect signs of cancer formation

Clear reasons have been described above that indicate that cancer is forming in your right breast. It will also be useful for you to learn about indirect reasons indicating cancer or an oncological disease:

• pain in the spine, which occurs in case of a sudden change in body position. In more advanced stages, this pain can even occur at night, when your body remains mostly motionless;
• redness or peeling on any part of the right breast;
• indistinct enlargement, swelling and hardening on the right side of the chest.

Diagnosis of chest pain on the right side

Now that you know the main causes of chest pain on the right, it makes sense to talk about methods for diagnosing this type of disease. In most cases, when a patient presents with one or more of the symptoms described above, the doctor will conduct an initial examination and medical history. If your symptoms indicate the possible presence of a cancerous tumor and oncological disease, then the mammologist may also order an x-ray for you.

An X-ray examination will allow you to make an accurate diagnosis and begin treatment immediately. The doctor may also additionally prescribe a general blood and sputum test.

Several more methods for diagnosing pain in the right chest:

• ultrasonography;
• computed tomographic angiography (CT angiography);
• electrocardiogram (ECG);
• mammography;
• blood tests to study hormone levels;
• applications of tumor markers;
• biopsy (sample of breast tissue).

Prevention of pain in the right chest

Most diseases, including those that are somehow related to the mammary glands, can be prevented. Women and men who do not turn a blind eye to the fact that they have chest pain can detect the causes of discomfort in the early stages. This means that treatment will take place in more pleasant conditions.

Take the following tips as a rule and then you will be able to prevent most diseases that are in one way or another related to the chest:

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Breast pain: causes of pain in the right and left breasts in women, treatment

Every woman at least once in her life has experienced chest pain of varying intensity: mild discomfort or an unbearable feeling of heaviness. It negatively affects the quality of life, so there is no need to endure it, it is better to understand the cause, eliminate it and take appropriate measures.

Before you begin to study the conditions that result in chest pain in women, you should familiarize yourself with the structure of the mammary glands.

They represent an alternation of glandular, connective and adipose tissues. Dense connective tissue extending from the surface of the skin into the gland divides it into 15-20 lobes, each lobe is also divided into several lobes. The space between these lobules is filled with fatty tissue, which gives the shape and volume of the breast.

Glandular tissue contains individual glands, which consist of branching tubes with terminal extensions called alveoli. It is here that milk is formed, which flows to the nipple through the milk ducts and sinuses.

The nipple and the pigmented area surrounding it is called the areola; a huge number of nerve endings are located here. Thanks to them, during lactation the gland reacts to touch and secretes milk.

If the mammary gland hurts when touched, you need to figure out what the nature of the pain is and the reasons for the discomfort.

Nature of pain and symptoms

Any woman can experience pain in the mammary glands; this is a physiological feature of the weaker sex, but everyone must learn to determine the nature of the pain syndrome. The following types can be noted: dull, throbbing, pulling, aching, stabbing, shooting or burning pain.

Pain in the mammary glands can be localized in various places, it can be: bilateral or unilateral pain, in the upper or lower part of the chest, general pain.

According to the degree of intensity, pain in the chest is distinguished: acute and severe, medium intensity, discomfort.

Painful sensations in the chest can be periodic or occur regardless of the menstrual cycle.

In this sense there are:

1. Cyclic pain or mastodynia is associated with hormonal imbalance during menstruation;
2. Non-cyclical, arising as a result of pathology in the gland or organs located nearby. In medical practice, this condition is called acyclic mastalgia.

Cyclic pain

Characterized by the following distinctive features:

• Occurs at a certain period of the menstrual cycle. Discomfort or pain is caused by hormonal changes after ovulation: a week or a few days before the start of menstruation or during the cycle.
• Exposure to women of childbearing age. Periodic pain and discomfort in the mammary gland occurs most often in women capable of giving birth to children and in the period before menopause, as well as adolescents.
• Total localization. A characteristic feature of cyclic pain is its occurrence in both mammary glands. It can appear in the upper quarters or be encircling, sometimes pain also occurs in the armpits. If the mammary gland aches during the menstrual period, then this condition may be accompanied by swelling and a slight increase in size. In some cases, nodules appear that disappear after menstruation. It is very important to palpate the breasts and pay close attention to the lumps remaining after the cycle, if any.
• Unstable psycho-emotional state. As a rule, mastodynia is accompanied not only by painful sensations in the mammary glands - the cause of irritability, headaches, nagging pain in the lower abdomen and psycho-emotional instability can be hormonal changes that occur during this period in the female body.

Concomitant diseases and their causes

If a woman has breast pain for a long period, the cause may be hidden in concomitant gynecological diseases.

In this case, a diagnosis should be made and, if any, the presence of the following ailments should be identified:

• polyps;
• endometriosis;
• ovarian cysts.

When women complain that the mammary gland hurts, the reason most often lies in a disruption in the normal functioning of the entire body.

Factors contributing to the activation of this state may be:

• oral contraceptives taken over a long period;
• drug treatment of infertility;
• taking antidepressants;
• stress, neuroses, chronic fatigue;
• metabolic disease;
• rapid weight loss or obesity, causing an imbalance of fatty acids in the glandular tissues.

Non-cyclical pain

They occur regardless of the period of menstruation and are characterized by varying intensity. The pain is most often squeezing or bursting; a burning sensation or throbbing pain in the chest may also occur.

It is usually localized in a specific area, that is, aching pain occurs in the right breast or in the left, since only one part is damaged. Women over 30 years of age are most often affected, and symptoms also appear during menopause.

Patients also exhibit accompanying symptoms, these are:

• deformation of the nipple and gland;
• the appearance of inflamed areas and voluminous neoplasms;
• pathological discharge from the nipple;
• changes in skin structure;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• deterioration in general health, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite.

Regardless of where the pain in the mammary gland occurs: on the right in women or on the left, one thing is important that this is the body’s response provoked by the disease. What are the likely illnesses when these symptoms occur?

Mastopathy

A benign formation in which fluid is released from the nipples and the breast tissue grows. The disease affects both breasts and sometimes develops into cancer. The nature of the pain is aching, dull, although some women do not experience pain at all.

Fibroadenoma of the breast

Also a benign tumor-like formation, in which breast hardening and discharge from the nipples are noted. The tumor has clear contours; surgical intervention is recommended for women in adulthood, as it is difficult to treat.

Mastitis

An infectious disease in which the virus enters the body through microcracks. Most often occurs during the lactation period or when hygiene standards are not observed.

Cancer

When a tumor forms, a woman experiences varying degrees of discomfort, although pain in the mammary gland on both the left and right side of women may be absent.

The presence of a neoplasm can be determined by the following signs:

• Nipple retraction;
• Formation of an “orange peel” at the site of localization;
• Discharge from the nipple;
• Changes in skin condition.

The tumor has unclear contours and most often occurs in nulliparous women or those who had their first child late. The cause of the disease may be a hereditary predisposition, untimely treatment of mastopathy, or excess body weight.

Other reasons for breast pain may include:

• previous trauma;
• consequences of surgery;
• taking certain medications;
• large breast size - including due to wearing tight underwear;
• acid imbalance in the body.

However, pain can also occur due to diseases that are not directly related to the mammary glands. Let's look at them.

Causes not related to the mammary glands

Yes, if there is pain in the mammary gland, the causes may be diseases of other organs. In this case, the source is treated.

Pain radiating to the chest occurs in the presence of the following diseases:

• thoracic osteochondrosis;
• shingles;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• heart diseases;
• furunculosis;
• myositis;
• diseases of the lymph nodes in the armpits.

Intercostal neuralgia

This disease develops due to a violation of the sensitivity of nerve fibers, and not only does the chest hurt, but also the back and lower back. The painful sensations are quite intense, and there is an increase in attacks, especially when walking, pressing on the painful area and when inhaling and exhaling.

Shingles

Skin lesions in the lumbar region may also appear in the chest area. Blistering rashes form on the skin, accompanied by itching and excruciating pain.

Pain during breastfeeding

The causes of pain in the mammary gland in nursing mothers are as follows:

Lactostasis

In other words, it is stagnation of milk, which develops in the first month after the baby is born due to an unsettled feeding schedule, sluggish sucking, or excess milk production. Filling and stretching of the milk lobules and ducts leads to stagnation of milk, and this is the reason why the mammary glands hurt.

Symptoms:

• pain of a certain localization;
• seals;
• redness;
• pain during massage and expressing milk;
• periodic pumping brings relief.

Lactation mastitis

Inflammation occurs when milk stagnates and pathogenic microflora enters the milk lobules.

Symptoms:

• sharp pain in a specific chest area;
• irradiation of pain to the armpits;
• skin hyperemia;
• swelling;
• increase in local temperature;
• general weakness;
• headache;
• pumping does not bring relief.

Lactation abscess

Appears due to the transformation of mastitis, is treated surgically and with the introduction of antibacterial drugs.

Symptoms:

• acute local pain;
• bluish skin;
• areas of softening – fluctuations – are felt;
• increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees;
• general weakness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, headaches.

Lactocele

Appears as a result of injuries, congenital anomalies, after surgery. As a result, a malfunction occurs that prevents normal lactation; a cyst forms in the breast - this may be the reason why one mammary gland hurts. The tumor increases in volume and causes a feeling of constant discomfort. When palpated, it is defined as a mobile and soft compaction that does not decrease when expressing.

If you suspect any disease during breastfeeding, you should immediately contact a qualified specialist for advice. Only an experienced doctor can prescribe treatment and determine why the left mammary gland hurts and the causes of this ailment.

How to do a self-examination

Self-examination allows you to determine the presence of tumor formations at the initial stage, so even if you do not feel dull or throbbing pain in the mammary gland, every woman should examine and feel her breasts at least once a month.

How it's done?

In a lying position, place your right hand behind your head; it is advisable to place a pad under your shoulder blade. If your right breast hurts, use the fingertips of your left hand to carefully examine it, starting from the periphery and moving towards the center.

In a standing position, the examination is carried out with the arms lowered and then raised up.

Standing in front of the mirror, you need to pay attention to the following changes, if any:

• Availability of seals of any size and shape;
• nipple retraction;
• discharge from the nipple of unknown origin;
• breast asymmetry;
• formation of “orange peel”;
• change in skin color;
• soreness when palpated;
• increase in local temperature.

When should you go to the doctor?

A visit to a specialist should be planned immediately after detecting any changes during self-examination. You should also consult a doctor if pain in the right breast or left breast occurs regardless of the menstrual cycle.

Even if the mammary gland hurts, but there are no lumps, the woman experiences an unbearable burning sensation and severe squeezing; in addition, the pain does not go away within two weeks, but only intensifies - you need to consult a mammologist. Some patients require additional consultation with a gynecologist, endocrinologist, surgeon, or oncologist.

As a rule, the most dangerous cases of the disease are those that are associated with localized pain in a specific area, and not in the entire chest.

Very often, discomfort in the chest causes insomnia, neurasthenia, a woman cannot do everyday activities, and wearing clothes aggravates the situation. In all these cases, it is strongly recommended to consult a specialist.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is based on the patient’s tests; the doctor may also ask additional questions to assess the general condition.

Typically, if a woman has pain in her right breast or her entire breast, the following types of tests are required:

• general and biochemical blood tests;
• mammography;
• Ultrasound of the breast and axillary lymph nodes;
• chest x-ray;
• biopsy;
• thermography;
• pneumocystography.

Treatment

Treatment of pain in the mammary glands depends on the causes that caused it. A thorough diagnosis and assistance from professional doctors will help determine the causes. It is highly not recommended to take medications on your own, without consulting a specialist, as this can worsen the situation.

Cyclic pain

These are benign formations that are safe for women. Many patients, having learned about this, calm down and the pain gradually subsides, so a conversation with a doctor can have a beneficial effect on the woman’s general condition.

1. Choosing the right bra that doesn’t restrict your breasts.
2. Organization of proper nutrition.
3. Complete rest for the patient.
4. Moderate physical activity.
5. Refusal to take oral contraceptives and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Non-cyclical pain

After consultation with a doctor, diagnosis, surgical intervention may be required. Further, depending on the patient’s condition, drug treatment is prescribed.

Pain not related to the mammary gland

An additional examination is prescribed to determine the source of the disease and the cause of the pain. Depending on the pathology, treatment is selected.

Prevention

In order not to ask yourself the question: why does the left mammary gland hurt, you should always take care of your health and prevent hormonal disorders.

To do this you need:

• eat right;
• avoid mental and physical stress;
• to live an active lifestyle;
• systematically strengthen the immune system;
• refuse abortion;
• be sexually active with one partner;
• n wear tight underwear.

Pain of varying degrees of intensity often bothers women; the main thing is to figure out what the cause is and prevent the development of unpleasant situations. Competent specialists, self-examination and taking care of your health will help with this.

Video

A mammologist will answer some questions about painful sensations in the breast in our video.

Home » Symptoms » Pain » Why do the mammary glands hurt: a review of all possible causes

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Breast pain: causes, symptoms, treatment

More than half of all women on the planet worry 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, follicles intensively mature in the ovaries. 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, eventually 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 with a 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);

“lemon peel”-type changes in the skin of the breast;

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.

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)?

What is breast ductectasia?

Breast tenderness before menstruation

2018 Blog about women's health.