Breast pain

Alternative names:

breast tenderness; mastalgia; mastodynia; pain in the breast

Definition:

Pain or discomfort in the breast. See also premenstrual tenderness and swelling of the breasts.

Considerations:

There are many possible causes for breast pain. The presence of discomfort associated with menses is well recognized by women. Breast pain not associated with menses may be a frightening experience. Since recent statistics indicate that 1 in every 7 women in the U.S. develop breast cancer, many women think that breast pain automatically means cancer. However, with breast cancer there is often no breast pain.

Breast pain or tenderness may also occur in the adolescent male in association with adolescent gynecomastia as a normal part of development.

Common causes:

• chronic cystic mastitis
  • tenderness at midcycle or just before a menstrual period, when estrogen levels are at their peak; both breasts are usually involved; the breasts are not necessarily lumpy

• puberty (in girls near the onset of menstruation)
• approaching menopause
• early pregnancy
• estrogen therapy
• milk engorgement after childbirth, especially if breastfeeding
• normal hormonal fluctuations
• medications such as digitalis preparations, aldomet, aldactone (Potassium-sparing diuretics - oral), anadrol, and chlorpromazine
• alcoholism with liver damage
• injury (such as a bite)
• nipple problems
• shingles (pain in only one breast)
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Note: There may be other causes of breast pain. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for breast pain, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.