Learn about Breast pain symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Breast pain

What are the symptoms of breast pain?

It is normal for your breasts to feel tender at certain times, such as just before your period, in early pregnancy and during breastfeeding. But if you have breast pain, your breasts are painful rather than just tender and the pain is bad enough to interfere with your life.

If you get breast pain linked to your periods (called cyclical breast pain) you may get these symptoms:

Source:
Smith RL, Pruthi S, Fitzpatrick LA.
Evaluation and management of breast pain.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2004; 79: 353-372.

The pain may start in the two weeks before your period
The pain can be dull, heavy or aching
The pain gets gradually worse until your period starts and then either gets better or goes away completely
The pain may occur in the upper and outer part of your breast, your upper arm and your armpit
The pain may occur in both breasts, but it may be worse in one.

If you get breast pain not linked to your periods (called non-cyclical breast pain) you may get these symptoms:

The pain comes and goes or is there all the time
The pain is sharp and burning
The pain may occur just in your breasts
The pain may occur in just one breast.

Breast pain on its own is not a common symptom of cancer. (Breast pain that does sometimes come with cancer is usually on just one side, and it is constant and intense.)

Source:
Conry C.
Evaluation of a breast complaint: is it cancer?
American Family Physician. 1994; 49: 445-450.

If your pain is bad enough to interfere with your life, it's a good idea to see your doctor. They should be able to reassure you that there's nothing seriously wrong and give you advice about treatments that may help.

But you should see your doctor right away if you have:

Source:
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Medline Plus: Breast pain.
Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus (accessed on 22 January 2009).

Discharge from your nipples
A possible breast infection (you may have redness, pus or fever)
A new lump in one of your breasts
Pain that does not go away.

Sources for the information on this page:

Smith RL, Pruthi S, Fitzpatrick LA.Evaluation and management of breast pain.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2004; 79: 353-372.

Conry C.Evaluation of a breast complaint: is it cancer?American Family Physician. 1994; 49: 445-450.

U.S. National Library of MedicineMedline Plus: Breast pain.Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus (accessed on 22 January 2009).

This information was last updated on Feb 05, 2009

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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