Feeling pain in your breasts? Here are 6 possible reasons behind it

Breast pain is very common in women of all ages. Do you also feel soreness or pain in your breasts, especially before your periods are about to start? Many women tend to get extremely worried upon experiencing breast pain but it is important to understand the cause behind it instead of giving way to anxiety.

It can be confusing to identify the reason for breast pain, especially if it is also accompanied by tenderness and swelling. Here are 6 probable reasons for breast pain:

1. Breast cysts

Breast cysts are common but not all breast cysts cause pain. In addition, not all cysts are harmful or dangerous but sometimes, they can be uncomfortable or painful. Cysts may feel like a lump in your breast. This is because of changing hormone levels in the milk ducts or milk glands. You may also observe that cysts get tender or enlarged a few days before your periods. This condition doesn’t require treatment unless a cyst is large and very painful.

2. Breast infection (Mastitis)

Mastitis is basically a breast infection that usually occurs due to the presence of bacteria, resulting in inflammation. In this condition, breast tissue becomes abnormally swollen or inflamed due to the infection in the breast ducts. This is usually experienced by breastfeeding women but also occurs in other women. Its symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Ache
• Swelling
• Pain
• Redness

So, if you think you have a breast infection then it’s always best to have it checked out by your doctor.

3. Side effects of certain medications

Breast pain is not always due to any underlying disease. Certain kinds of medication cause breast pain. Medication for infertility treatment and birth control pills are associated with breast pain. Other medications for mental health problems, cardiovascular treatment, and some antibiotics can contribute to breast pain as well.

Don’t stop taking medications due to breast pain. Speak with your doctor about the side-effects.

4. Hormonal changes

Breast pain can also be a result of your monthly hormonal changes. The menstrual cycle causes fluctuation in estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones are responsible for breast tenderness, swelling, and pain. Generally, the breasts start to hurt a few days before your menstrual period. The pain stops after your period ends. This is the most common cause of breast pain. In addition, hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding can also sometimes lead to breast pain.

5. Chest wall pain

Chest wall pain is a sharp, achy, and pressure-like feeling in the breast. It may feel like the pain is originating from the breast but that isn’t the case. There are a number of causes behind chest wall pain which include:

• Pulling a muscle in your chest
• Inflammation around the ribs
• Any trauma to the chest wall
• Bone fracture
• A medical condition such as gallstones 

6. Breast cancer

Pain in the breast can be one of the symptoms of breast cancer but it is not a confirmation of the disease. So, breast pain is definitely a cause of concern that needs to be investigated in order to identify the right cause behind it and check for any abnormal growth.

Ladies, breast pain can be the result of normal changes in your body! Nonetheless, it is important to be aware of the reason behind it and for that, you should see your doctor.