4 Reasons why you Experiencing Breast Pain

According to reports, breast pain is a very common condition affecting about 70% of women at some point in their life. This condition majorly affects women between the age group of 30 to 50. The intensity of the pain may vary from a dull ache to a burning sensation and unbearable pain.

Reasons of Experiencing Breast Pain:

Better known as mastalgia, this condition is natural during the menstruation cycle. That’s why many women often neglect the thought that this could be a sign of something serious. Yes, you read it right! If the pain is sudden, recurring, or perhaps unbearable, you must consult the doctor immediately and get treated. But before that, let’s learn about the possible causes of breast pain.

Hormonal Fluctuation

The prime reason behind pain in the chest is hormonal fluctuation. As stated above, breasts tend to become sore during the menstrual period. It is because of the rise in progesterone and estrogen level before the beginning of periods. This makes your chest tender or sensitive and causes swelling.

Apart from the menstrual cycle, you may feel sore during the first trimester of pregnancy. If this is the reason you are experiencing pain, it would be best to:

Lower caffeine consumption
Avoid smoking
Reducing salt intake
Eat low-fat diet
Use OTC pain reliever
Take hormone replacement therapy

2. Undefined Breast Injury

Stating the obvious, an injury could be the reason behind your pain. Injuries associated with breasts can linger from a few days to several weeks. The injury can happen due to playing sports, an accident, or after surgery. If you notice any of the following signs, it would be wise to consult the doctor right away:

Redness and warmth
Lump in the chest
Excess swelling
Bruises that do not fade away with time.

However, if the injury is after the surgery, it could be the reason for medical malpractice. In a few rare cases, if the injury caused by medical malpractice is traumatic, it may result in fatality. In such scenarios, the deceased’s family is liable to get a claim for personal injury or wrongful death. It would be wise to seek a wrongful death lawyer for their help. They can explain your rights and help you exercise them well.

3. Infection Or Mastitis

Mastitis is a tissue infection in the breast that often occurs during breastfeeding. However, the infection could also be due to menopause or inflammatory carcinoma (a rare form of cancer). Studies have shown that women with chronic illness, diabetes, AIDS, or impaired immune system are more susceptible to infection. The common signs of infection include:

Swelling
Redness
Pain
Breast engorgement
Pus draining from breasts

If you experience any of these infections, visit the doctor immediately. Antibiotics and pain relievers will help you get better if the infection is minor. On the other hand, you may be required to opt for surgical drainage or mammogram, depending on the severity of your condition.

4. Side Effect Of Medications

Sometimes pain begins after consuming certain medications. The medications could be of any medical treatment you are receiving or particularly for breast surgery. Some of the medicines that are likely to cause side effects are:

Hormone therapies (Hormone replacement therapy, infertility treatment, or birth control pills)
Chlorpromazine (Often used to treat mental health conditions)
Digitalis (Recommended for heart diseases)
Methyldopa (To treat high blood pressure)
Water pills (To treat high blood pressure, kidney and heart diseases)
Oxymetholone (For anemia)

Not to mention, sometimes the side effects are due to the wrong diagnosis of the condition; thus, opting for the improper treatment (including medication) plan. Such cases are often referred to as medical malpractice, so make sure to consult your medical malpractice or a personal injury attorney.

5. Breast Cancer

Finally, the cause of pain could be a severe medical condition such as breast cancer. Know that pain is one of the signs of the condition but does not cause cancer. According to reports, 1 to 5% of women in the US have breast cancer. Some of the common signs of these conditions are:

Swollen or heavy chest
Pain
Red or discolored
Dimpling over the chest
Peeling or flaking of the pigmented area
Change in shape or size

Seeking the guidance of your doctor and opting for immediate treatment is a must in this situation.

A Word From Verywell

Although breast pain is easy to treat and involves little to no complication, taking a second opinion from another doctor would be wise. If the complication or condition is caused by recklessness on the part of doctors or their staff, don’t hesitate to exercise your right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation.