Inflammatory breast cancer may cause the breast to become:. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Hormones are making your breasts sore. Steps you can take to minimize sore breasts include: Eliminate caffeine Eat a low-fat diet Reduce salt intake Avoid smoking Take an over-the-counter pain reliever Ask your doctor if switching birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy medications may help You have a breast injury.
Breast pain is really coming from your chest wall. Common causes of chest wall pain include: A pulled muscle Inflammation around the ribs Trauma to the chest wall getting hit in the chest Bone fracture Breastfeeding is causing breast tenderness. They can help you troubleshoot the problem while maintaining your milk supply.
You have a breast infection. Breast pain could be a medication side effect. Some drugs with this known side effect include: Oxymethone, used to treat some forms of anemia Chlorpromazine, used to treat various mental health conditions Water pills diuretics , drugs that increase urination and are used to treat kidney and heart disease and high blood pressure Hormone therapies birth control pills, hormone replacement or infertility treatments Digitalis, prescribed for heart failure Methyldopa, used to treat high blood pressure You have a painful breast cyst.
Learn more about breast cysts and other noncancerous breast lumps. Some women have complications with breast implants, whether made of silicone or saline. One of the most common causes of pain after breast augmentation surgery is capsular contracture, when scar tissue forms too tightly around implants. Breast pain can also be an indication that one of your implants has ruptured. Breast pain can sometimes be a sign of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer may cause the breast to become: Red or discolored Swollen or heavy Painful Skin on the breast may also thicken or dimple.
People who are sensitive to friction may choose to take extra precautions, such as wearing surgical tape on their nipples during exercise. Nipples that have already been injured by friction, an allergic reaction, or are cracked or bleeding have a higher risk of infection.
Lactation and breast-feeding may also increase the risk of infection. It is possible to get a yeast infection of the nipples, which is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. This can be the result of damage to the surrounding tissue, recent antibiotic use, or when a person has a history of fungal infections. A yeast infection, also known as thrush, at the nipples is often felt as a burning, stinging pain that does not go away by reducing sources of friction.
The nipples may be bright pink and the areola may be reddish or flaky. Many breast-feeding women describe thrush as sharp, hot pain immediately after the feed. Signs of the infection may also appear on their baby. Mastitis is possible during pregnancy if milk becomes trapped in one of the milk ducts. Bacteria can start to grow in the duct and spread.
This type of infection can cause a swollen, red, sore breast and nipple. Mastitis needs to be treated with antibiotics. If it is left untreated, an abscess can form. Anyone experiencing the following symptoms as well as nipple and breast pain should see a doctor:.
Pain and irritation accompanied by flaky, crusty, or blistering skin may be a sign of an allergic reaction or atopic dermatitis eczema. There are a variety of household products that can irritate the nipples or trigger flare-ups of existing skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis. These include:.
Other signs of an allergic reaction include red or chapped skin around the nipple and areola, and persistent itchiness. In some cases, a rash may occur. A topical anti-inflammatory cream can treat minor cases, but a person should speak to a doctor if the rash or redness increases, spreads, and does not respond to an over-the-counter treatment. Sexual activity can be another cause of nipple pain. Body friction or sexual activity that involves the nipples can cause soreness.
This pain is usually temporary and is often treated by simply giving the nipples time to heal. Using moisturizers or nipple guards may help keep friction to a minimum and prevent symptoms from getting worse. These symptoms are usually felt in the days just before her period starts, when increases in estrogen and progesterone levels draw more liquid to the breasts and cause them to feel swollen.
The pain associated with hormonal changes usually subsides when the period begins. If this pain continues for more than a few days, a woman may want to speak to her doctor. Some nipple pain and other symptoms can be a sign of issues such as cancer, although tumors do not usually cause pain.
Engorgement occurs when your breasts become overfull. Your breasts will appear enlarged and your skin will feel tight and painful. If you cannot feed your baby soon, you can try pumping or manually expressing your milk.
You can do this by placing your thumb on top of your breast and your fingers underneath your breast. Slowly roll your fingers back against your chest wall and forward toward your nipples to empty your breast. Signs your baby may not be latching properly include cracking nipples and nipple soreness. A lactation consultant at the hospital where you gave birth can typically help you establish a healthier latch.
See your doctor or call a lactation specialist if you are having difficulty breastfeeding. You can also visit La Leche League International to find a certified lactation consultant in your area. The foods a woman eats may contribute to breast pain. Women who eat unhealthy diets , such as those high in fat and refined carbs, may also be at greater risk for breast pain.
Antidepressants, hormone therapy, antibiotics, and medications for heart disease can all contribute to breast pain. Smoking is known to increase epinephrine levels in the breast tissue. Breast pain is not usually linked to breast cancer.
Having breast pain or fibrocystic breasts does not mean you are at higher risk of developing cancer. However, lumpy tissue may make it harder to see tumors on a mammogram. If you have breast pain that is localized in only one area and that is consistent through the month with no fluctuations in pain level, call your doctor.
Examples of diagnostic tests can include:. Treatment will vary depending on whether your breast pain is cyclical or noncyclical. Before treating you, your doctor will consider your age, medical history, and the severity of your pain.
Treatment for noncyclical pain will depend on the cause of the breast pain. Once the cause is identified, your doctor will prescribe specific related treatments. If your breast pain is sudden and accompanied by chest pain, tingling, and numbness in your extremities, seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms can indicate a heart attack. At your appointment, you can expect your doctor to ask you about your symptoms.
Questions could include:. Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam. They may also recommend imaging tests, like a mammogram , to visualize your breast tissue. This could allow them to identify cysts in your breast tissue. If you have cystic breasts, your doctor might do a needle biopsy. This is a procedure where a thin needle is inserted into the cyst to remove a small sample of tissue for testing. You can book an appointment with a primary care doctor in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool.
Read this article in Spanish. Sore or sensitive breasts are a common issue for many men and women.
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