Breast pain
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Breast pain: Essentials
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Key points about treatments

Many different treatments have been tried for breast pain. But there hasn't been much good research on how well they work.

  • Applying a painkilling gel or lotion to your breast can help with the pain. The one that's been studied the most is called diclofenac.
  • Another common painkiller that can help with your breast pain is ibuprofen.
  • Some
     
     
     
     
     
    hormones
    Hormones are chemicals that are made in certain parts of the body. They travel through the bloodstream and have an effect on other parts of the body. For example, the female sex hormone estrogen is made in a woman's ovaries. Estrogen has many different effects on a woman's body. It makes the breasts grow at puberty and helps control periods. It is also needed to get pregnant.
     
     
     
     
     
    hormone treatments can help breast pain. They include the drugs danazol, gestrinone, goserelin and tamoxifen. But some have side effects. And others are not available in the United States.
  • There's no evidence that evening primrose oil helps breast pain.

This information was last updated on Feb 05, 2009
BMJ Group
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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