Breast Pain

Breast cancer gets a lot of attention, and rightfully so, during October- breast cancer awareness month. Breast pain, however, is rarely an area of focus. At Diana Health, breast cancer risk reduction, treatment, and survivorship are important to us. However, if you generally experience breast pain, we are here for you, too. If you have or have had breast pain, you are not alone. About ⅔ of all women will experience mastalgia during their lifetime. Our providers at Diana Health are experts in helping women with breast pain.

Mastalgia is the medical term for breast pain.. It can occur cyclically with your menstrual cycle or with hormone medications (such as cyclic oral contraceptives). Breast pain can also be noncyclic, where the pain’s severity, intensity, and timing are not related to your menstrual cycle. Cyclic breast pain is most common in women before the menopause transition, whereas noncyclic breast pain can impact people across the lifespan and may start during puberty, but the most common time for women to experience it is in the peri-menopausal period (typically in a woman’s late 40s or early 50s). Women with cyclic breast pain typically notice a worsening of symptoms before the start of menstruation, and then they have a decrease or relief of pain with the start of menstruation. 

What can cause breast pain?

Many factors can contribute to breast pain. Some common risk factors include having larger breasts, wearing bras that do not fit well, trauma to a breast, pregnancy, or taking hormonal medications. Even some medicines used to treat infections or high blood pressure may have the side effect of breast pain. Breast pain can also be caused by mastitis (a breast infection), chest wall pain, or fibromyalgia. Breast cysts and tumors can also cause breast pain, and although women often worry that breast pain is due to cancer, it is much more likely not related to breast cancer at all. 

What factors increase my risk of having breast pain?

The risk for breast pain increases with age and also with smoking. Women who regularly consume caffeinated beverages, women who have breastfed in the past, as well as women who have had breast cancer are all more likely to have breast pain than women who do not fit into these categories. 

Should I see a health professional about breast pain if I have it?

Yes, it’s always a god idea to talk to your provider when experiencing pain or discomfort. Please contact us at Diana Health so we can assist you. If you aren’t a Diana Health patient, reach out to your primary care provider so that they can assist you. It is important to have a clinical breast exam if you have breast pain, and our women’s health physicians and other health professionals at Diana Health are experts in this area. It’s a good idea to be knowledgeable about your breasts. If you notice any changes in appearance, pain, lumps, or nipple discharge, it’s important to let us know. 

How can I be best prepared for my exam?

To best prepare for your office visit, note where the pain is located, the nature of the pain (e.g., sharp, dull, throbbing), what makes it better or worse, when it started, and if you are menstruating, make a note of that, too. 

Will I need to have breast imaging?

Depending on what your clinical breast exam shows, you may need to have imaging.. When you meet with your Diana Health professional, they will likely do a clinical breast exam and then talk with you about whether or not they recommend imaging. If they recommend imaging, it will likely be mammography or ultrasound. Occasionally, other imaging tests are ordered as well. 

How is breast pain treated? 

Treatment of breast pain depends upon the underlying cause of the pain. In some cases, if the discomfort is minimal and the clinical and imaging exams are normal, no further treatment is needed. The treatment for women with diagnostic or imaging abnormalities will depend upon the underlying cause. If a mass is seen on imaging or felt, a biopsy will likely be done to determine the next steps. For some women with breast pain, changing medications (especially if they are taking hormonal medications) type or dosage may help. Also, many women receive relief from using topical anti-inflammatory medication. 

Are there any lifestyle recommendations for breast pain?
Once other more serious causes of breast pain have been ruled out, some women want to try lifestyle modifications to help with the pain. Some recommendations include getting a bra fitting at a store that sells bras and wearing a properly fitted bra. Some evidence suggests that a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet and adequate physical activity may help.

At Diana Health, we are here to educate you, assist you, and support you. We care about your whole health, including breast health. If you have any questions about breast health, breast cancer screening, mammograms, breastfeeding, or other women’s health-related questions, we’re here to serve you.