Breast pain in women can be cyclical, which means that it is caused by hormones and crops up in relation to your menstrual period or during perimenopause and menopause. However, some breast pain is noncyclical and not related to hormones. Breast pain is very common. It occurs in 70 percent of women. Mastalgia, breast pain, can occur in one or both breasts, and sometimes it strikes in the axilla, or underarm region of the body.
Hormones
Breasts can increase in size and become sore, tender and lumpy due to estrogen and progesterone, both of which are female hormones. These hormones kick into high gear when it is time for a woman's menstrual period. During menopause, these hormones can become erratic; a woman may have too much of one and not enough of the other, or vice versa. This can cause cyclic breast pain, which resolves itself when a woman menstruates or when she stops menstruating altogether.
Fluid Retention
The Mayo Clinic explains that glandular tissue in the breasts gets bigger due to these hormones. Progesterone causes fluid retention, and this stretches the breasts, which hurts. Most water is retained in the breasts and belly. Womenandinfants.org points out that progesterone, which is manufactured by the body when ovulation occurs, stimulates the growth and development of milk-producing cells in a woman's breast, which can make your breasts sore and sensitive as well as bigger.
Fibrocystic Pain
According to Imaginis.com, if a woman's breasts hurt and are lumpy and thick, this may be due to fibrocystic changes. This condition can persist until a woman becomes fully menopausal.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Dr. Dixie Mills of Womentowomen.com notes that women who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may experience breast pain and soreness. This is due to the synthetic hormones that the woman is taking.
Noncyclic
Noncyclic breast pain isn't as common as cyclic breast pain. This type of pain normally occurs in women who are between the ages of 40 and 50. This pain is caused by trauma or injury to the breast, such as undergoing a breast biopsy. This type of pain does not indicate breast cancer; however, it would be advisable to tell your doctor what you are experiencing.
Costochondritis
Costochondritis is another form of noncyclic breast pain. The pain doesn't actually occur in the breast, although it may feel like it. This is arthritic pain that is emanating from the middle of the chest and the areas where the breast bone and the ribs connect. Costochondritis causes a burning sensation in the breasts. It may occur due to poor posture or aging.
Diuretics
If your breast pain is so intense that it's interfering with your life, your doctor may prescribe diuretics. These are "water pills" and will help remove the excess fluid from the body that is exacerbating the breast pain.
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