What typically causes breast pain?
While anyone can experience breast pain, it’s more common in people with female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play a big role in the fluctuation of breast tissue structure and size.
During significant hormonal shifts like pregnancy and while breastfeeding, breast pain or tenderness is actually expected.
Most types of breast pain fit into two categories: cyclic and noncyclic breast pain.
Cyclic breast pain is linked to your menstrual cycle and is believed to be caused in part by hormone changes. Pain can develop at different points in this cycle. But it’s most common at the start of the cycle or during ovulation.
Cyclic breast pain is barely noticeable for some people and excruciating for others. It’s not uncommon for this pain to be felt in just one breast or the other. It is often a radiating pain that begins near the armpit.
Noncyclic breast pain can occur at any time and is not linked to your menstrual cycle. This type of pain is pretty uncommon. It can be caused by all kinds of things, like trauma, an injury to the breast tissue, or even arthritic pain. The type of pain can vary, but it’s usually a continuous pain that is felt in one specific area of the breast. It can be sharp, dull, or radiating.
Cyclic and noncyclic causes of breast pain include things like:
traumatic injury
certain medications such as birth control or antidepressants
infections like mastitis or a breast abscess
pregnancy
menopause
breastfeeding
lack of proper support from a poorly fitting bra or exercise
rib injuries
muscle pain
inflammation
cysts
fibrotic tissue
breast cancer
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