Common causes
When asking why a woman's breasts hurt, it is important to know the most common reasons. They are as follows:
- Mechanical damage to the chest. Often the pain arises from the fact that the breasts are strongly compressed by a bra. That's why it is recommended to wear only those bras that are perfect in size. Otherwise, you will not be able to get rid of the pain. In addition, to mechanical damage to the chest are tangible blows, which are applied accidentally. Usually this happens in public transport. Therefore, while traveling in it, you need to try to cover your chest from poking and striking.
- Infection. Usually in this case the woman's chest hurts because of the infection of streptococcus or staphylococcus. This infection enters the body through nipples on the nipples. In addition, the development of the disease can begin with weakened immunity or violation of the skin in the chest.
- Inflammatory processes. They occur most often after surgery. They appear because of the rejection of a foreign body (suture material, silicone).
- Shingles. Such sporadic disease, as a rule, occurs in women of advanced age. It arises suddenly and it is difficult enough to overcome it. In this case, shingles are accompanied not only by pain in the chest, but also by a general toxic reaction, a characteristic rash on the skin, a subfebrile temperature.
- Wrong diet. Chest pain may be due to the fact that a woman consumes many foods high in caffeine, salt and fat. Usually there is a sharp and quickly passing pain. However, you do not need to ignore it. You should definitely revise your diet, even if you are on a diet where you need to eat foods with caffeine.
- Iodine deficiency. Chest may hurt because of the fact that the body lacks such an important element. In this case, you can not just go to the pharmacy and buy the drug. It is necessary for the doctor to determine, as a result, the deficiency of this element has come and in what dosage it should be taken in order not to damage the functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Incorrect distribution of gravity. If a woman notes that she has only the right mammary gland or only the left one, then the reason is that she incorrectly distributes the weight between both hands. After all, in this situation, the muscles of the chest are stretched unevenly. Because of this, you can observe aching pain.
- Mastopathy (benign tumor). This is a serious disease that manifests itself in seals on the mammary gland and painful sensations. When mastopathy is detected, it is necessary to begin treatment as soon as possible in order to avoid the appearance of a malignant tumor. Typically, doctors prescribe hormonal drugs, which are selected strictly individually.
- Cysts. These are benign formations. They appear, as a rule, because of a hormonal failure. Curing cysts with some medical products in 99% of cases is not effective. Therefore, surgical intervention is required to perform their complete removal.
- Intra-flow papillomas. This disease is accompanied by a papillary tumor that occurs in the ducts of the breast. Usually it occurs in women after 40 years due to hormonal imbalance. This condition is characterized by the presence of severe pain in the chest and secretions from the nipples, which can have a clear, bloody or greenish-brown color.
- Fat necrosis. This disease is usually diagnosed when there is a dense formation on the mammary gland, which leads to its deformation. Usually, if there is fat necrosis, severe pain is observed, which is aggravated when touched to the breast.
- Erysipelas. An acute disease that affects the skin of the chest. At the initial stage, it occurs in the erythematous form. It is accompanied not only by pain, but also by burning. There may be bright hyperemia of the skin, hyperthermia can be observed up to 39 ° C, usually subfebrile.
- Cancer.This disease is a malignant tumor that originates from the tissues of the mammary gland, which is characterized by aggressive growth. There is a very high risk of metastases. Severe pain in the chest and swelling are the main signs of this disease. However, it is also accompanied by other symptoms: nipple retraction, changes in the shape and contours of the mammary gland, peeling skin, the appearance of bloody discharge from the nipple, swelling of the shoulder. In this case, you need to immediately consult a doctor, otherwise it will not be possible to cure this disease.
Breast pain during pregnancy
Another reason why it might hurtbreasts - this is pregnancy. After all, during the period of bearing a child, numerous changes begin to occur in the woman's body. They are necessary for the fetus to develop normally and for the birth to be successful. And breast pain - this is a sign of the beginning of such a restructuring and a sure sign that the woman is in a position. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid of it. At the same time, the question may arise, why does the breast hurt and gradually swell? The culprit is such a hormone as gonadotropin. It is because of it that the milk lobules and ducts in them begin to increase in size. Such a change is necessary in order to prepare a woman for breastfeeding. At the same time, during this period, not only pain and swelling of the mammary glands can be observed, but also their increased sensitivity and darkening of the nipples. In addition, slight tingling and burning may occur. It is worth noting that pregnant women are tormented by the question of not only why the breast hurts, but also how to minimize discomfort. Here, experts recommend wearing the "right" underwear. It should be made without seams, bones and from natural fabrics. The underwear should be comfortable, have wide straps and be of high quality. It should not squeeze or rub the breasts, but it is important that the bra supports them well to prevent blood stagnation and stretch marks. In this case, it is better to give preference to the underwear that is made specifically for expectant mothers. It will be the most comfortable and will minimize pain in the mammary glands. At the beginning of the 2nd trimester, it will be necessary to carry out procedures to harden the breast: take air baths, take a contrast shower, rub down with wet cold and hot towels. All this will help to avoid pain in the breast. In addition, such procedures will prevent mastitis in the future. Therefore, it is imperative to take them into service and carry them out regularly. It should be noted that after childbirth, a woman may also experience pain in the mammary glands. But they are usually temporary. They are normal. However, if the pain does not go away during and after breastfeeding, and there are cracks and abrasions on the nipples, you should definitely see a doctor. If the pain is accompanied by swelling of the breast, this may be a symptom of mastitis or lactostasis. It is also important to see a doctor, as in the case of a burning sensation near the nipples, since this indicates the appearance of thrush on the skin.
Chest pain and menstruation
Many women wonder aboutwhy the chest hurts before menstruation. Unpleasant sensations during this period are one of the signs of premenstrual symptoms. The pain occurs directly due to the fact that changes occur in the tissues of the mammary gland. They are a consequence of the fact that the amount of progesterone, estrogen and prolactin in the woman's body changes. As a result, the balance between them is lost and discomfort occurs. In addition, due to the onset of ovulation, the amount of epithelium in the lobes and ducts of the mammary gland increases. More blood flows to the chest, the chest increases in size and swells. A slight feeling of heaviness may occur. If pain in the mammary glands occurs during menstruation, you can not be wary of it. This is a normal physiological process. Therefore, you just need to wait until the period ends. However, if a woman feels severe pain that she cannot tolerate, then she should definitely visit a doctor so that he can prescribe the appropriate medications. What measures should be taken? As mentioned above, if the pain in the mammary glands is not a sign of pregnancy and PMS, and is not associated with feeding, where it is in most cases a normal process (see above for a list of symptoms that should alert you), then you need to see a doctor for diagnostics. This will help identify the cause of the discomfort. You should definitely go to a mammologist. If necessary, he will refer you to a gynecologist, endocrinologist or oncologist. Everything will depend on what diagnosis is made. But in any case, you cannot delay visiting a doctor, otherwise this can lead to irreversible consequences. Having undergone timely diagnostics and, if necessary, treatment, you can maintain your health. And this is what is important for every woman.
