Breasts don’t get enough credit for all the cool advantages they can offer. Pretty bras! Delicious sex feelings! Breast pain! Oh, wait. Not that last one. Breast pain is actually pretty terrible, and depending on how unexpected it is, you may also find it concerning. The good news is that breast pain usually isn’t anything to worry about, and there are often ways to ease your aches so you can enjoy your breasts (or, at least, forget they’re there). Show
First of all, you should know that breast pain is really common. “The majority of women will have some breast pain at some point in their lives,” Therese Bartholomew Bevers, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., a professor of clinical cancer prevention and medical director of the Cancer Prevention Center and prevention outreach programs at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, tells SELF. Indeed, the Mayo Clinic describes breast pain, also known as mastalgia, as “a common complaint among women.” Breast pain can present in many different ways, Dennis Holmes, M.D., breast cancer surgeon and researcher, and interim director of the Margie Petersen Breast Center at John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., tells SELF. Sometimes it may be a dull ache that always precedes your period. Other times, it can be soreness so uncomfortable you want to ice down your boobs. The manifestation really depends on the cause. If you get breast pain around your period every month, this is probably cyclic breast pain. This basically just means that it's tied to your menstrual cycle. In the first two weeks of your cycle, your levels of estrogen increase to prompt ovulation, then your progesterone levels rise in the second half of your cycle, Katherine T. Johnston M.D., a primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, tells SELF. Together, these hormonal changes can make your breasts feel swollen and heavy with a dull ache. These hormonal fluctuations can also contribute to fibrocystic breast changes (aka having benign lumps in your breasts), which can make your chest feel pretty sore, too. Since this kind of pain happens due to your menstrual cycle, it’s most common in women who haven’t yet hit menopause. This kind of breast pain should be manageable with anti-inflammatory pain medication or hormonal contraception, which can reduce some of the hormonal shifts that can lead to soreness. On the other hand, some people find that hormonal birth control can contribute to breast pain because of the increased estrogen. If you suspect that’s what’s up, talk with your doctor about whether other contraceptive options may be better for you. If your boobs hurt and you’re not about to get your period, it could be one of any number of things. Lots of random factors can cause noncyclic breast pain, aka the kind that's not related to your menstrual cycle. One of the following could be to blame:
So, when should you actually make a doctor's appointment about breast pain? You can, of course, check in with your doctor whenever something's worrying you, even if you're pretty sure it's NBD. But if you have severe breast pain that doesn't go away and doesn't seem to be tied to your period, it's time to get input from a medical professional. That's especially true if it shows up with other new and unusual symptoms, like lumps, nipple discharge, or a swollen, reddened breast with dimpled or orange-peel skin. There are many reasons breasts can be painful. It’s not usually anything serious, but see a GP if the pain does not improve. Breast pain is usually linked to periods. Sometimes it can be caused by a health condition or medicine. Breast pain linked to periods usually: Other causes of breast pain include: Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer. To help ease breast pain: There's little evidence that vitamin E tablets or evening primrose oil help with breast pain.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
These can be signs of something more serious. You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Page last reviewed: 22 June 2020 When should I be alarmed for breast pain?See your doctor if the pain doesn't improve or you notice any of these signs: Severe swelling. A lump in the breast. Redness and warmth, which could indicate an infection.
What kind of breast pain indicates cancer?A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancer, but breast cancers can be also soft, round, tender, or even painful. Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include: Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt) Skin dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel)
What does pain from breast cancer feel like?If a lump is present, it is not painful. Although breast cancer is often painless, it is important not to ignore any signs or symptoms that could be due to breast cancer. Some people may describe the pain as a burning and tender sensation.
Should I be worried about a painful breast?Talk to your doctor about your breast pain if you are worried, particularly, if you have a lump in the area of pain that does not go away after your period, redness, swelling, drainage from the area (signs of infection), nipple discharge, or if your breast pain is not clearly associated with your menstrual cycle, lasts ...
|
When should you worry about breast pain
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 berikutyang Inc.
