Breast pain is also called mastalgia ("mast" meaning "breast" and "algia" meaning "pain"). Approximately 70 percent of women experience some form of breast pain during their lives according to the Mayo Clinic. There are many reasons why a woman might feel sharp breast pain, including hormonal changes through the menstrual cycle, fatty tissue imbalance, breast trauma, breast size and medication. While sharp breast pain can range from mild to severe and can be upsetting, rarely is it an indication for alarm.
Hormones
Women have changes in their hormonal levels throughout their menstrual cycle and at different times of their lives. During their younger lives, women may find that their breasts are very tender immediately before or during their period. They may experience sharp breast pain as they become premenopausal. According to the Mayo Clinic, breast pain may decrease or disappear during pregnancy or after menopause.
Fatty Tissue Imbalance
Another factor that may contribute to sharp breast pain can be fatty tissue imbalance. Fatty tissue imbalance can result in highly sensitive breast tissue and may be painful. The Mayo Clinic indicates that fatty tissue imbalance can be addressed with evening primrose oil, which helps decrease the sensitivity to hormone levels, which is why breast tissue may be painful. Additionally, this oil rebalances fatty tissue levels in breast tissue cells.
Breast Trauma
According to the Mayo Clinic, breast trauma can be one of the leading causes of sharp breast pain. Trauma to the breast can result in the development of cysts and damage to the underlying muscles and breast tissue. Problems found in the chest wall can radiate outward into the breast, resulting in sharp breast pain. These problems can be mild in nature, such as gas bubbles, or severe and significant, such as heart attack and cardiopulmonary issues.
Breast Size
Another issue that can contribute to sharp breast pain can be breast size. The Mayo Clinic indicates that women with larger breasts are prone to more problem breast pain than women with smaller breasts. In many cases, sharp breast pain may be associated with back, neck and shoulder pain. While breast reduction surgery may reduce pain associated with larger breasts, it is a significant surgery that carries its own risks, as does any major surgery.
Medication
There are many medications that can result in an increase in sharp breast pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, these medications include hormonal treatments that may be used for infertility or to treat menopausal symptoms. It has been suggested that hormone replacement therapy can be an explanation as to why some women may experience breast pain even after they have gone through menopause. Additionally, antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft have been shown to have potential side effects that can cause painful swelling and tenderness in the breasts for both men and women.
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