Causes of Breast Pain in Women
By: AlbrightTotal Views: 518, Word Count: 517,
Breast pain is medically known as mastalgia. This is the most universal breast related complaint among women. Causes of breast pain in women may occur due to different reasons. Breast pain occurs in one or both breasts and in the underarm region of the body too.
The severity of breast pain varies from one woman to other. Although breast pain is not normally related to breast cancer, women who have breast abnormalities, or breast pain, should consult their physicians as soon as possible.
Causes of Breast Pain in Women
There are two types of breast pain in women:
· Cyclical breast pain
· Non-cyclical breast pain
Cyclical Breast Pain
· This is directly related to the breast tissue’s response to monthly changes in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels.
· Breast pain can also be caused due to by lumpiness, cysts or areas of thickness which is called fibrocystic change.
· During each menstrual cycle, breast tissues swell due to hormonal stimulation which causes the breast’s milk glands and ducts to expand.
· Sometimes, breasts may become painful, swollen, tender, or lumpy a few days before menstruation starts.
· Breast pain usually ends when menstruation is over
· The average age of women having cyclical breast pain is 34 years old. Cyclical breast pain may stop after menopause or after using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women.
· Though cyclical breast pain is related to menstrual cycle, sometimes stress may change the hormone levels of the body and this leads to breast pain.
Non-Cyclical Breast Pain
· This cause of breast pain is less common than cyclical breast pain. It is not related to menstrual cycle.
· Women who have non-cyclical breast pain often experience this pain in a specific area of the breast.
· Woman who experience injury or trauma to the breast or undergo breast biopsy can sometimes experience non-cyclical breast pain.
· Non-cyclical breast pain is common in women between 40 and 50 years of age.
Other factors that cause breast pain in some women include:
- Oral contraceptive pills
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Weight gain
- Bras with improper fittings
- Tumors
Additional Causes of Breast Pain in Women
The most common medications that are pills with hormones in them can cause breast pain. Some psychiatric medications or antidepressants may lead to breast pain.
Cholesterol-lowering and heart medications can cause breast pain in women. Along with this, stress in also an important cause of breast pain. Exact mechanism of this cause is unclear.
Some underwire bras, or too-tight bras, can cause constant rubbing to the breast tissue which can lead to pain.
We all have forgotten that breasts are a natural part of body which serves a very healthy purpose of nurturing our offspring. Breasts are much more than only simple sex symbols. They are a symbol of our nurturing strength and life force; so do take good care of your breast to avoid pain.
About the Author
Albright is a well known physician who has done his graduated from the Louisiana State University Medical School, New Orleans. He is practicing as a general physician from last 10 years. He has a good knowledge of treating patients with problems using clinical best practices and protocols. He gives individualized, updated, personal attention to his patient at the uppermost level of clinical efficiency. His special interests are Neuro Somatic disorders, heart diseases, neurological disorders, join pains and chest diseases. Currently he is working at Kindred hospitals
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