Breast pain, also called mastalgia, is a very common condition, especially among women aged 30 to 50. It affects roughly 70% of women at some point in their life.
Sometimes, you may feel a sharp breast pain that's actually coming from deep down in your chest. This is referred to as chest wall pain.
What are the symptoms of breast pain?
Your symptoms will differ depending on whether you’re suffering from cyclic or noncyclic breast pain. During cyclic breast pain, your breasts will likely feel:
Tender.
Swollen.
Heavy.
Sore.
The severity of the pain can be different for everyone, and for some, it may spread to your armpit and shoulders too. The symptoms of noncyclic breast pain are a little different, and are as follows:
The pain will be limited to one specific area in your breast.
A sharper, more acute pain.
A burning, stabbing sensation in that one area.
These symptoms of noncyclic breast pain may come and go over time, or remain for a longer period.
How is breast pain treated?
Since cyclic breast pain is a regular part of your menstrual cycle, it doesn’t require as much treatment. There are some pain-relieving medications you can take to help with your symptoms if the pain is becoming unmanageable, including:
If your breast pain is even more severe, your doctor may suggest Danazol or Tamoxifen, which are two prescription medications. But these two medications also have certain side effects, which is why it’s important to talk with your doctor before taking them, to determine whether it will be worth it for your specific case.
There are also a few other treatment methods that you can use to help relieve your pain, including:
Wearing a well-fitting, supportive bra. (Breast size and shape changes over time. So, make sure you’re routinely fitted for the correct bra size.)
Taking Vitamin E supplements and other multivitamins.
Eliminating caffeine from your diet.
Avoiding tobacco products.
Using evening primrose oil.
Applying heat to the most painful area on your breast, being sure to protect your skin.
Taking magnesium supplements. If you take these during your menstrual cycle, roughly two weeks before your period, it can help relieve some of your symptoms.
Your healthcare provider may suggest using some of the same medications to treat the symptoms of noncyclic breast pain. However, if they can find the underlying cause of your pain (such as a fibroadenoma, a cyst or a benign lump), they can remove it and relieve your symptoms.
Before performing a breast exam, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, how long you’ve been experiencing them and the severity and frequency of your pain. During the breast exam, they'll examine your breasts for any possible lumps. They may also ask you to lean forward during the exam to assess whether the pain is coming from your breast or from inside your chest. Your doctor may also order a mammogram or an ultrasound, but whether or not you need either of these imaging tests will depend on a few different factors, including:
Your specific type of pain.
The findings from the breast exam.
Your age.
The length of time between your last breast-imaging procedure.