Why do I have breast pain?
Most women will have breast pain at one time or another. Breast pain that comes and goes with your menstrual cycle or stress is considered more normal Even though most women will experience breast pain in their lifetime, there are some red flags you should be aware of.
You will want to see your doctor for breast pain:
- The pain is only in one breast
- The pain is new and does not go away
- Your breast is red, warm to the touch, or you notice changes to how the nipple or breasts look
Why do I often feel discomfort around my menstrual cycle, and will it eventually go away?
- Most women feel dome breast discomfort with their menstrual cycle. This is because the hormones (estrogen and progesterone) stimulate the glandular breast tissue.
- This may cause a small fluid accumulation on the tissue and can cause the breast tissue to be lumpier and uncomfortable or even painful
Does breast pain mean it is cancer?
Breast pain is a common occurrence, and often not related to a serious concern
When should I consult my primary care physician or OBGYN?
You should discuss breast pain with your doctor if it is persistent and doesn’t seem to be going away or if you notice changes to how your breasts look, such as redness or nipple changes
What other things can cause breast pain?
- Sometimes pain/discomfort can seem to be within the breast when it’s really coming from another area (shoulder, neck, chest wall)
- Women may suffer from arthritis or a condition called costochondritis and this may appear to be breast-related pain
- For these reasons, the mammogram is often normal when breast pain is present
