Breast pain is very common in women and, sometimes, it is accompanied by other symptoms such as breast tenderness. In most cases, it is due to a hormonal change that can be due to several causes: menstruation, pregnancy, menopause … However, we must check our breasts from time to time, since their appearance can give us a lot of information.
In the event of any anomaly, it is best to go to the gynecologist for an examination, however, in this oneHOWTO article we are going to explain some of the reasons why the breasts ache and harden.
Factors and conditions that cause breast pain
The breasts are made up of fat and other tissues that surround and protect the nerves, blood vessels, and milk ducts.
There are many reasons why breasts can be sore, and it can be in just one breast, both, or even under the armpit. As we have mentioned before, the most common is a change in hormonal levels such as pregnancy or menstruation, which not only causes pain but can also become inflamed or sensitive.
The intensity of pain can be variable, but it does not mean that very bad pain is a cause of possible cancer. Of course, when the pain is constant and lasting, it is best to consult with your gynecologist.
Some factors that can promote breast pain are:
- Being taking the contraceptive pill.
- Hormone replacement therapy during menopause.
- An increase in weight
- Wearing bras that are too small.
- Tumors (most painful tumors are not cancerous).
- Take dairy derivatives, which can cause hormonal disorders.
Some conditions that can cause breast pain are:
- Mastitis. It is an inflammation of the breast. It can be caused either by an infection of the same or because the milk ducts have been blocked.
- Cysts It is one of the most common conditions that exist. They are small balls of liquid that are formed as a result of hormonal processes. They can cause pain but are not malignant.
- Fibroids You have to differentiate between a cyst and a fibroid or tumor. Fibroids (tumors) form because cells start to grow too large and tissue forms. They are tough, stiff, and grow quickly. You will notice if you have a fibroid in your breasts if upon palpation you find a hard lump. They can be cancerous or benign.
Hard and painful breasts in puberty and adulthood
Every woman is different and development varies from one to another. The age ranges between which girls begin their development varies between 8 and 13 years of age. For a teenage girl’s breasts to reach their adult size, it usually takes at least 4-5 years. The breast development and growth in girls and adolescents causes pain and you may also feel swelling or tenderness.
From the beginning of development in women, the well-known ovulation occurs and therefore menstruation begins to appear, which lasts until menopause. It is common for both adolescent girls and women of adulthood (before menopause) to experience breast pain or swelling before or during menstruation. These pains are cyclical, that is, they are related to the monthly changes that occur in the hormonal levels of estrogens and progesterone in women. They usually appear even in the days before (ovulation) and last until menstruation. The swelling of the breasts is due to the fact that during each menstrual cycle the stimulation of hormones causes the mammary glands to grow and water is retained. In the following article you can see more details about why the breasts hurt with the rule.
When your breasts get hard in these ages (puberty or adulthood), it is due to an accumulation of hormones and it is totally normal.
However, before any anomaly in the shape of your breasts or any hard lump, it is best that you go to the gynecologist.
Hard and painful breasts in pregnant women
In pregnant women, it is normal for the breasts to become sore and hard. During the second and fifth day after giving birth, you will most likely your breasts are enlarged, are somewhat heavy and with great sensitivity. This is from the production of breast milk. That they are hard is due to the extra blood that is present in the breast, as it is working to breastfeed the baby.
This swelling can make breastfeeding somewhat difficult and can also lead to sore nipples and poor milk production. The first days of breastfeeding are important, as it is the time for the baby to get used to the breast, latch on well and receive the necessary food.
This sensation is usually reduced within two to three weeks after birth, and the breasts tend to become softer and less rigid. If your breasts remain tight or sore for longer, they can cause a fever. If this happens, or lasts longer than normal, it is better to see your doctor.
They can also breasts hurt from being full, when you have not removed all the milk necessary to empty it. In these cases, it will subside when you breastfeed your baby or use a breast pump.
In lactating women, there may be redness on the breast or a white spot on the nipple that hurts when breastfeeding. You can also feel a lump, this is because there is an obstruction in the breast and the most common is that they appear in the armpit area. It often occurs in women with breast implants or in breasts that have not expressed all the milk. In these cases, you can massage the area in a circular motion towards the nipple. When you breastfeed your baby, position him so that his chin touches or is facing the bulge or obstruction.
We recommend that you consult the article How to take care of the breast while breastfeeding.
Hard and painful breasts in menopause
As we have seen before, hormonal changes in women produce breast pain. This is what happens in menopause. The level of estrogens increases or decreases and this is why during premenopause or at the beginning of it your breasts may feel painful or tender.
After this, once menopause enters, it is normal that they do not hurt or feel heavy. If it happens, you may be taking a hormone replacement drug or treatment that contains estrogens.
Breast cancer and breast pain
When you feel chest pain or hardness it does not mean that you have breast cancer, even if it is one of its signs. But for this it has to be a constant pain and there has to be some physical change in the breast like a lump that is palpable and feels hard (It is important to palpate both breasts to verify that it is something different and not healthy tissue).
Any change in the size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge that occurs suddenly, contains blood, or occurs only from one breast, inverted nipple or a sore in the nipple area, skin irritation or changes such as rough or scaly should be checked by a gynecologist.
See our article How to know a lump in the breast is bad.
How to soothe hard and painful breasts
Generally, for breast pain it is not necessary to take any medication, unless the doctor recommends it, since there is no treatment for hormonal changes. Can you take some anti-inflammatory at the time of pain to alleviate it a little, but nothing more.
As home remedies for breast pain we can use compresses of water, lemon juice, vinegar or coffee. We can also use some type of massage so that our breasts stop being so tense. To do this, place the palms of your hands on the bottom of your breasts and push them up all the way. Hold them for a few seconds and then slowly drop them down. Repeat this a few times, picking up the pace each time.
Another reason why your breasts may hurt is the use of a bad bra. It is convenient to know your exact measurements, both for the contour and the cup. Most women do not know how to measure their breasts well and therefore use some too tight. This can cause not only breast pain but also back pain. Sleeping in a bra is not recommended.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why are my breasts hard and painful?, we recommend that you enter our Family Health category.