Your breasts can tell you a lot about what is happening in your body. For example, sore breasts are often the first sign of pregnancy. This happens because your body is flooded with hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
Understanding the underlying cause of your breast pain can help you minimize discomfort and find relief. Some self-care tips include wearing a properly fitting bra, using ice packs or warm compresses, and avoiding rough handling or sexual positions that put pressure on the nipples.
Hormonal Changes
Your boobs can tell you quite a bit about your hormones and body. If you’re prone to cyclical breast pain, the kind that occurs during certain times of the month, it could mean that your hormones aren’t balanced. But it’s also possible that you’re experiencing sexual arousal, which can stimulate your nipples and lead to pain.
In fact, many women get sore nipples from foreplay because nipple stimulation releases oxytocin, a neurotransmitter that’s linked to feelings of love and tenderness. Sore nipples aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s important to remember that they are sensitive and can be irritated by rough play.
Other hormonal changes can also cause sore nipples, including those that occur during puberty, pregnancy or menopause. During the follicular phase of your menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone increase, which can cause nipple tissue to swell and become sore. This same hormonal change can happen during perimenopause, when your hormones surge and dip erratically.
Birth control pills can also cause hormonal shifts that can make nipples feel tender. Especially when they contain high levels of estrogen, which is a common ingredient in older birth control pills. If your nipples are sore after you start using birth control, talk to your doctor. They may be able to switch you to a pill with lower levels of estrogen, which should help reduce the pain.
Mastitis
When you have breast pain, it can tell you a lot about what’s going on in your body. For example, the pain may indicate a serious underlying problem like a nipple infection or a cyst. It also can signal the start of your period or other changes in your menstrual cycle. Some medications, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, can cause breast pain as well. If you have a history of cancer or have undergone breast surgery, the pain may be a sign of a recurrence or complication.
Mastitis is a common cause of breast pain for breastfeeding women. It occurs when a blocked milk duct becomes infected. This can lead to swelling, tenderness, and redness of the nipple and can be painful to the touch. The pain can also be accompanied by a fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms.
Non-hormonal causes of breast pain can be caused by many different things, such as wearing ill-fitting bras or engaging in sexual activities that put pressure on the breasts. Identifying the underlying cause of the pain can help you find the right treatment. Talking openly with your partner can also reduce tension and stress, both of which can contribute to breast pain. Treating any medical conditions or infections and making lifestyle changes can also reduce discomfort and increase the quality of your life.
Breast Abscess
If you’re a woman, chances are your breasts have been sore from time to time. Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about — but there are times when soreness can be a sign of something more serious.
The most common reason women experience breast pain is hormonal fluctuations. They often feel sore three to five days before their period begins, due to a rise in estrogen and progesterone. Likewise, sore breasts are common during pregnancy.
Another hormone-fueled change is puberty, which causes nipples and areolas to grow larger as the body prepares for a future child. As a result, your boobs may hurt when you lay down or roll over in bed.
A bacterial infection of the breast tissue can also lead to painful swollen breasts. If you suspect this is the case, see a doctor right away. They’ll assess your symptoms, take a sample of the abscess fluid, and drain it through aspiration or surgical drainage.
In addition to taking OTC pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), a doctor can recommend other self-care measures and treatment methods. For example, placing a washcloth saturated with cold water on the swollen area can reduce swelling and ease pain. Some doctors also suggest placing a warm compress or wearing loose, comfortable bras to support your breasts while they heal.
Breast Cysts
If the pain is a regular occurrence and comes around at the same time every month, your hormones may be to blame. As estrogen and progesterone levels rise in the first part of your menstrual cycle — called the follicular phase — and then again just before your period begins (the luteal phase), breast ducts get enlarged and irritated. This is why your boobs feel most tender right before your period starts.
The swollen tissue may also be caused by plugged milk ducts, or cysts. These ducts fill with fluid and can be painful to the touch. Small cysts are often asymptomatic, but larger ones can cause breast pain and discomfort when touched or squeezed. They are more likely to occur in women between 20 and 30 or those who are pre- or postmenopausal and take hormone therapy, such as hormone replacement or birth control pills.
If you are experiencing painful nipples, it’s important to talk to your doctor. He or she can help you determine what’s causing your nipple pain and suggest over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease it. If the nipple pain is caused by ill-fitting bras or clothes, he or she may recommend a different size. You may also want to apply a petroleum-based nipple ointment to reduce chafing. In rare cases, a sore nipple can be a sign of cancer and needs to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible.
