Breast pain

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Breast tenderness
)
Breast pain
Other namesMastodynia, mastalgia, breast tenderness
NSAIDs[1]
Prognosis>75% resolve without treatment[1]
Frequency70% of women[2]

Breast pain is the symptom of discomfort in either one or both

menstrual period and is not serious.[1][3] Pain that involves only one part of a breast is more concerning,[1] particularly if a hard mass or nipple discharge is also present.[3]

Causes may be related to the

birth control pills, hormone therapy, or psychiatric medication.[1] Pain may also occur in those with large breasts, during menopause, and in early pregnancy.[1][3] In about 2% of cases breast pain is related to breast cancer.[4] Diagnosis involves examination, with medical imaging if only a specific part of the breast hurts.[1]

In more than 75% of people the pain resolves without any specific treatment.

NSAIDs.[1] A well fitting bra may also help.[3] In those with severe pain tamoxifen or danazol may be used.[1] About 70% of women have breast pain at some point in time.[2] Breast pain is one of the most common breast symptoms, along with breast masses and nipple discharge.[1]

Causes

Breast pain linked to the menstrual cycle is called cyclic breast pain or cyclic mastalgia. Some degree of cyclical breast tenderness is normal in the menstrual cycle, and is usually associated with

thyrotropin.[6][7]

Breast pain that is not linked to a menstrual cycle is called noncyclic breast pain. Noncyclical breast pain has various causes and is harder to diagnose and frequently the root cause is outside the breast. Some degree of non-cyclical breast tenderness can normally be present due to hormonal changes in

antihypertensive), spironolactone, certain diuretics, oxymetholone (an anabolic steroid), and chlorpromazine (a typical antipsychotic).[5] Also, shingles can cause a painful blistering rash on the skin of the breasts.[5]

Breast cancer

Some women who have pain in one or both breasts may fear breast cancer. However, breast pain is not a common symptom of cancer. The great majority of breast cancer cases do not present with symptoms of pain, though breast pain in older women is more likely to be associated with cancer.[2][8][5]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves breast examination, with medical imaging if only a specific part of the breast hurts.[1] Medical imaging by ultrasound is recommended for all ages, as well in those over 35 it is recommended together with mammography.[1]

Ruling out the other possible causes of the pain is one way to differentiate the source of the pain. Breast pain can be due to:

Medications can be associated with breast pain and include:

Diagnostic testing can be useful. Typical tests used are

ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).[8]

Treatment

In more than 75% of people the pain resolves without any specific treatment.

NSAIDs.[1] A well fitting bra may also help.[3] In those with severe pain tamoxifen or danazol may be used.[1]

Bromocriptine may be used as well.[14]

Spironolactone, low dose

Flaxseed has shown some activity in the treatment of cyclic mastalgia.[8]

Pain may be relieved by the use of

local anaesthetic.[2][5] Pain may be relieved by reassurance that it does not signal a serious underlying problem, and an active life style can also effect an improvement.[2]

Information regarding how the pain is real but not necessarily caused by disease can help to understand the problem.

Methylxanthines can be eliminated from the diet to see if a sensitivity is present. Some clinicians recommending a reduction in salt, though no evidence supports this practice.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^
    PMID 22963023
    .
  2. ^
    S2CID 220173019
    .
  3. ^ a b c d e "Breast pain". nhs.uk. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  4. ISBN 978-0729578714
    .
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: "Breast pain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  6. PMID 3922866
    .
  7. S2CID 7420761
    .
  8. ^
    ISBN 9780826197825
    ., [Electronic book] Section I Guidelines, Chapter Thirteen: Gynecologic Guidelines-Breast Pain
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Brown, Ken. "Breast Pain Causes and Diagnosis: Johns Hopkins Breast Center". Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  10. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: "Thrush in newborns: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  11. ISBN 9780763766511
    .
  12. PMID 27496088
    .
  13. ^ "Sore or cracked nipples when breastfeeding, Pregnancy and baby guide". www.nhs.uk. National Health Services (UK). Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  14. ISBN 978-0-7637-5637-6
    .

External links

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