Main Causes Of Breast Pain

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Every woman in some stage of her life faces breast pain. There are several causes for breast pain. It is a certain kind of burning or aching sensation that you tend to feel before the periods. It is a common knowledge that breasts tend to expand during puberty because of increase in estrogens. This causes mild or throbbing pain and discomfort for some women. It is wrong to assume that breast pain is a sign of cancer.

When the pain is harsh, it does have an effect on the quality of your life. The sharp pain can happen at haphazard times during the day. Breast pain is divided into two types: the pain which is associated with menstrual cycle (called cyclical breast pain) while the other is referred to as non-cyclical breast pain.

Cyclical breast pain is supposed to be in sync with your periods, while non-cyclical breast pain is not related to the menstrual cycle. Cyclical breast pain is usually felt in the upper or outer part of your breasts; however the ache can also be sensed in the centre of one breast or at times under the arms. Pain that is associated with the menstrual cycle is usually lowers during or after period. Non-cyclical pain is much less common than cyclical breast pain, and the pain can be felt from the surrounding muscles and not from the breasts itself.

Here are few causes of breast pain that may or may not be serious. Check out.

Water retention
There are certain women who experience pain because of water retention, and that has nothing to do with the menstrual cycle. Many observations have been done on breast pain by the researchers to find out whether the ache is due to environmental or nutritional issues; however there has been no clear evidence found regarding the cause.

Fibrocystic breasts
More than half the women would have experienced fibrocystic breast changes at some part of their life. It is also a common cause of breast pain.It is very normal to have fibrocystic breasts, but they do cause breast pain and lumpiness in the outer part of the bosom. Self-care measures can help to alleviate the pain and the discomfort.

Shingles
When shingles occur over the breast area, women go through a hell of a lot of strong pain, burning and itching. Shingles take time to heal soon as it may take several weeks for it to cure.

Breast cysts
Fluid filled sacs appear within the breasts and they are not cancerous. A cyst in the breast can make you feel like a lump. A lump may be a small or harmless sac filled with fluid, and they can emerge as one or many cysts. They look like round or oval lumps on the edges. Breast cyst which is considered to be benign is the most common issue among women before menopause. Usually it occurs between 35 and 50. They can appear anywhere in the breasts. For a few people, breast cysts can be uncomfortable and painful.

Costochondritis
It is a kind of inflammation of the rib junction to the breastbone. Costochondritis causes pain more or less around the breast bone and ribcage. This is most common with people with fibromyalgia. It is an inflammation of the cartilage that is associated with your ribs to your breast bone. The pain can range from being mild to awfully painful.

Hormonal changes
Some women experience breast tenderness. Breast tenderness is normal and the uneasiness only happens due to hormonal changes. Some kind of hormonal changes are because of menopause, menstruation and premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy and puberty. Certain amount of swelling and tenderness is quite normal before the periods. Soon after giving birth, breasts may get overfilled with milk and that can become painful. Moreover even breastfeeding can also cause pain.

These are some causes of breast pain. If the pain is severe and doesn't reduce, consult your doctor.