Breast pain is discomfort or pain in the breast area, often felt as pulsating or sharp sensations. It can have various causes and is a common issue for many. Both men and women can experience this discomfort. Breast pain isn’t the same for everyone. It can have a cyclic pattern, which means it's a consistent issue, or a noncyclic one, where it's more irregular and unpredictable. In this article, we’ll explore the causes of breast pain.
How is Breast Pain caused?
The following are the main breast pain reasons:
- When looking for the causes of breast pain in women, it's essential to consider hormone-related factors. Changes in hormone levels can bring about modifications in the milk ducts and milk glands, potentially causing painful breast growth and serving as a key breast pain reason.
- For men, one common breast pain reason is gynecomastia. This happens when there's an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone in the body, increasing breast gland tissue. It can impact one or both breasts and sometimes even causes a bit of breast asymmetry.
- For transgender women undergoing hormone therapy, breast tenderness can be a part of their transition. Conversely, transgender men may experience sensitivity in the remaining breast tissue following mastectomy.
- Breast injury: Breasts can be injured because of an accident while engaging in physical activity or from breast surgery. You might experience a sharp pain during this time.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding may result in breast pain. This includes having sore nipples due to a baby not latching properly, a tingling sensation when the milk flows to the baby, or painful nipples due to biting.
- Breast infection: Breastfeeding women are most prone to developing breast infections, but can also occur in other women.
- Cyst: Cysts can sometimes cause the formation of a breast lump which can be tender and painful.
- Side effect of medication: Some medications like oxymethone, chlorpromazine and hormone therapy drugs like birth control pills can cause breast pain.
- Unsupportive brassiere (bra): An unsupportive bra can stretch out the ligaments that can connect the breast to the chest wall, which can cause pain over time.
- Sign of breast cancer: Although quite rare, breast pain could be a symptom of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer can cause breast pain, and can come on suddenly and progress quickly.
Conclusion
To sum up, there are many breast pain reasons which can affect people of all ages and genders. Being wary of these causes is very important for early diagnosis and treatment. If you are experiencing severe or prolonged breast pain, it is crucial to consult a doctor at the earliest. They will run a series of tests to diagnose you and give you the best treatment options. Having a reliable health insurance policy can help cover the costs of consultations, tests, and treatments, ensuring you receive the necessary medical care without financial worries.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.