{"id":2988,"date":"2019-01-08T06:57:27","date_gmt":"2019-01-08T06:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=2988"},"modified":"2021-08-05T05:53:09","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T05:53:09","slug":"10-usual-breast-pain-causes-in-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/10-usual-breast-pain-causes-in-women\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Usual Breast Pain Causes in Women"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Women are told to keep a watchful eye on their breast health. After all, pain in the breasts could very well point to a serious condition such as breast cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But while this is true, it\u2019s also true that many other things can cause breast pain. In fact, it should be somewhat reassuring to know that pain is not normally one of the first symptoms noticed in cases of breast cancer. Chances are then, that it is not cancer that is causing your discomfort!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But with that said, it\u2019s still always very important to ensure that you still investigate any unusual pain or discomfort in your breast or anywhere else. This could still point to a condition that needs attention, so read on to discover 10 of the most common causes of breast pain in women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Pregnancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common but perhaps also surprising causes of breast pain in women is pregnancy. When a woman becomes pregnant, her body will go through a great number of different physical changes. These normally begin with changes in hormone <\/a>production, which in turn triggers a number of physical alterations across the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These can affect the breasts in a number of ways. For instance, the nipples will often become sensitive and painful, which is a result of more blood flow and the formation of other new tissue to allow for subsequent lactation. The breasts may also become painful as they become larger. In fact, this is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy and for many women, it will be the first clue!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When considering this as a possible explanation, think about your recent activity and whether you have been using protection. If not, then you might have a young child on the way. Otherwise, one of the other causes on this list may be more likely \u2013 though often it can\u2019t be ruled out as a possibility!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Cysts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the thing that many women will be anxiously looking for is any sign of lumps or unusual tissue. This can point to breast cancer, which is highly dangerous and which requires urgent attention from a physician<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a lump may still not point to cancer. Instead, it might be a cyst. Often these will be completely benign and not dangerous \u2013 but that doesn\u2019t prevent them from being painful or uncomfortable. This is particularly true if they appear on the milk duct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breast cysts are sacs filled with fluid, which can be firm or painful. Often, they won\u2019t cause any pain, but in some cases, they can do. They will usually get larger during the menstrual cycle and then dissipate at its end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any kind of lump or cyst forming on the breast, then it is very important to get medical attention. While it may be a completely innocuous lump, it is always better to be safe than sorry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And this of course is because there is always a small chance at least that the problem is caused by cancer<\/a>. Breast cancer may cause a visible lump or cyst and this can similarly lead to discomfort and pain in some cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s also important to note that lumps and cysts are not the only sign of breast cancer. What you should really be looking for is any sign of change. That might mean changes in coloration, it might mean changes in size, or it might mean changes in sensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to be on the lookout for potential signs of cancer then is simply to look for anything that is new or different from usual. You can ask a partner to do this for you too. Either way, make sure to check regularly because the sooner you notice it, the more likely you will be to get effective treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. DOMS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DOMS <\/a>stands for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. In short, this is the muscle pain that we experience following a workout or intensive exercise. The precise cause of this pain is not fully understood, but it is likely to do with either the build-up of metabolites (certain chemicals) within the muscles or with the tiny \u2018microtears\u2019 in the muscle fiber (damage to the muscle cells).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, DOMS is a painful experience that can affect the pectoral muscles underneath the breasts. This will normally occur one or two days following intensive exercise, but it doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be intentional exercise: DOMS can occur as the result of a day moving furniture, or a day of gardening even!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may notice that this pain is worst when moving the arms in a pushing or hinging motion. In the future, try stretching following workouts and gently returning to normal movement even through the slight pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Medication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medication is another common cause of breast pain. This is because many medications will cause alterations to your hormone <\/a>balance, which in turn can cause physical changes to the breasts and also increase sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have begun a new course of medication and are now noticing breast pain, then it might be worth speaking with your doctor to see if there is an alternative treatment available. Note that you should see this symptom listed on the back of the packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While any medication can potentially cause these conditions, the most common culprits include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n