BREAST PAIN

Source

Breast pain is a common problem in women who are having periods (menstrual cycles). It is less common in older women. The pain can be in one breast or in both. It may come and go each month, or it may last for several weeks, or even months.

Breast pain is one of the most common problems that women seek counseling for from primary-care providers, gynecologists and breast specialists.

Evaluating breast pain begins with a comprehensive health history, which should include type of pain, relationship to menses, duration, location, impact on activities of daily living, factors that aggravate and alleviate pain, and any other medical problems or comorbidity.

What causes breast pain?

Many things can cause pain or tenderness in your breasts. Here are some of them:

✔Hormonal changes during your period
✔Water retention, which may happen during your period
✔Injury to your breast
✔Pregnancy
✔Breastfeeding (nursing)
✔An infection in the breast
✔Breast cancer (not a usual cause of breast pain)

How is breast pain treated?

There are different treatments for breast pain depending on what is causing it. You and your doctor can talk about these treatments and choose one or more that might work for you. Here are some possible treatments for breast pain:

✔Wearing a support bra
✔Taking an over-the-counter pain killers
✔Taking danazol (for severe pain)

Other treatments for breast pain are sometimes used. However, there is no proof that these treatments work:

✔Avoiding caffeine
✔Using less salt
✔Taking vitamin E or vitamin B6
✔Taking a diuretic

Most of the time, breast pain goes away on its own after a few months.

If you have breast pain that lasts for a long time or keeps coming back, it's probably a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.