Breast Pain / Mastalgia

Definition: Breast pain, also known as mastalgia is a common breast symptom experienced by all women throughout their life. About 50-70% of the women worldwide experience breast pain and it is usually common in premenopausal and perimenopausal women.

Types of Breast Pain

It could be related to the menstrual cycle (known as cyclical breast pain) or occurs at anytime (non-cyclical breast pain). It can affect one side or both sides of the breasts, at any quadrant and spread to the armpit area.

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Pain

  • Tightness, dull ache, pulling pain
  • Tingling sensation around nipple
  • Burning sensation part or whole breast
  • Severe breast tenderness and heaviness.
  • Swollen breast feeling

Breast pain is not necessarily a sign or symptom of breast cancer but it warrants a standard clinical breast investigation and examination to rule out breast related problems.

Other causes of breast pain could be:

  • Acid reflux, angina, chest wall or chest muscle pain
  • breast-feeding related infection eg mastitis
  • Costocondritis, chest or lung infection
  • Recent trauma to chest or spine-related injury

Standard Clinical Breast Investigation

  • Breast imaging with Mammogram and Breast Ultrasound
  • Breast Biopsy

Treatment Options

If no definitive causes are diagnosed, then majority of cases will be treated with:

  • Over-the-counter painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Wearing supportive bra
  • Evening primrose oil or Omega Fish oil
  • Advice to avoid smoking, coffee and caffeine

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