Most women develop breast pain at some
stage in life. In most cases the pain develops in the
days just before a period. In some cases the pain is not related to
periods. The pain is often mild but
in some women it is more severe and can affect the quality of your life.
Treatment options include painkillers and topical (rub-on) anti-inflammatory
drugs.
Breast pain (also
known as mastalgia) is classified as
either cyclical or non-cyclical:
- Cyclical breast pain - where the pain is related to periods. Typically, it occurs in the second half of the monthly cycle, getting worse in the days just before a period
- Non-cyclical breast pain - where the pain is not related to periods.
Up to 7 in 10 women develop breast pain at some stage in
their life. About 2 in 3 cases are cyclical breast pain, and about 1 in
3 are non-cyclical. If you are not sure which type of breast pain you have,
it may be worth keeping a pain diary for 2-3
months. Record the days when you have breast pain, and highlight
the days when the pain is severe enough
to affect your lifestyle. See what pattern emerges.
Cyclical breast pain is very
common. It can first occur at any age after periods start, but most commonly
first develops between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It does not occur in women
past the menopause when the periods have stopped.
In many women the symptoms are mild.
Indeed, it can be considered normal to have some breast discomfort for a few
days before a period. However, in around one in ten women the pain can be severe
and/or last longer - up to 1-2 weeks before a period. The 3-5 days prior to a
period are usually the worst. The pain usually eases
soon after a period starts. The severity usually varies from month to month.
Typically, the pain affects both
breasts. It is usually worst in the upper and outer part of the breast, and may
travel to the inner part of the upper arm.
Your breasts may also feel more swollen
and lumpy than usual. This lumpiness is generalised so does not lead to a
single definite lump forming. This
swelling and lumpiness then improve soon after your period starts. Quality of life for some women can be
significantly affected. Physical activity such as jogging can make the pain worse. Such
things as hugging children and sexual activity can be painful.
It is thought that women with cyclical breast pain have
breast tissue which is more sensitive than usual to the normal hormonal changes
that occur each month. It is not due to any hormone disease or to any problem
in the breast itself. It is not related to any other breast conditions.
Although it is not serious, it can be a nuisance.
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy of the breast.
No treatment may be needed if the
symptoms are mild. Many women are reassured by knowing that cyclical breast pain is not a
symptom of cancer or serious breast disease. The problem may settle by itself
within 3-6 months. Studies have shown that cyclical breast pain goes
away within three months of onset in about 3 in 10 cases. However, in up to 6
in 10 women where the pain has gone, it
develops again sometime within two years. So, in other words, cyclical breast pain may come
and go over the years.
If the pain is more severe,
or for the times when it may flare up worse than usual, treatment options
include the following:
- Support your breasts. Wear a well supporting bra when you have pain. It may be worthwhile having a bra fitted for you as many women actually wear the wrong size of bra. Some women find that wearing a supporting bra 24 hours a day for the week before a period is helpful. It is best to avoid underwired bras. Wear a sports bra when you exercise.
- Painkillers such as paracetamol, diclofenac, neurofen (ibuprofen), codeine, or tramadol. Take regularly on the days when the breasts are painful.
- Topical (rub-on) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). For example, topical diclofenac or topical ibuprofen. You can buy various topical NSAIDs or get them on prescription. Topical NSAIDs have been shown to help relieve the pain of cyclical breast pain.
- Consider your medication. The contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may make cyclical breast pain worse. Other drugs may also worsen cyclical breast pain. For example, some anti-depressants and some blood pressure drugs. If appropriate, it may be worth stopping or changing your medication to see if this helps. Discuss this with your doctor.
- Drugs to block hormones. Drugs such as danazol, bromocriptine, tamoxifen and goserelin injections can ease pain in most cases. These drugs work by reducing the level, or blocking the effect of, female hormones such as oestrogen. You need to take them regularly (not just when the pain occurs). However, significant side effects are common with these drugs. So, they are not usually tried unless you have severe pain which occurs during most months and does not ease with other treatments.
- Evening primrose oil or Startflower oil. This used to be a very popular treatment. Some research studies suggest that this has little effect. However, some women still seem to find benefit from it. You can no longer get this on prescription. There are many different preparations of evening primrose oil containing varying amounts of the active ingredient gamolenic acid. The dose is usually 120 -160 mg of gamolenic acid twice daily. Evening primrose oil is unlikely to give instant relief and it needs to be taken for up to four months before you can decide if it is helpful or not. If it has not helped by the time four months is reached then it is not going to be effective.
Non-cyclical breast pain
Breast pain can be
present all the time, or come and go in a random way. This type of breast pain is not
related to periods and is most common in women aged over 40. The pain may be in just
one breast, and may be localised to one area in a breast. Sometimes the pain is felt all over
one or both breasts. There are various causes. For example:
- Pain coming from the breast tissue itself in the absence of any lumps, tumours, or other abnormality being detected. The reason why this type of pain occurs is not clear.
- Pain coming or radiating from the chest wall under the breast rather than the breast itself. Muscular or bony problems of the chest wall account for some cases. This type of pain is known as musculoskeletal pain.
- Infection is a cause in a small number of cases.
- Shingles may cause pain before a rash develops.
- Breast tumours, cancer and lumps are a very uncommon cause of breast pain.
- The cause of breast pain is not clear in many cases.
As there are various causes of breast pain, it is
advisable that you consult your doctor about this, so that this symptom can
be assessed and appropriately investigated.
In many cases the pain dissapears after
some time (usually a few weeks or months) without the need for any treatment.
Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as neurofen (ibuprofen) or
diclofenac, may help with the pain. Topical NSAIDs
(creams, gels) may also be effective. Other treatments for breast pain may be
appropriate, depending on whether a cause is identified.
Women with breast pain often
worry that the pain is caused by breast cancer. However, the first symptom of breast cancer is usually a painless lump. Pain is not usually
an early symptom. However,
although breast pain is not
likely to be caused by cancer, it is advisable that you must consult your
doctor if you have any concerns about breast pain or any
other breast symptoms.
In particular, see a doctor promptly if
you have breast pain and any of
the following:
- A lump in your breast or under your axilla (armpits).
- Discharge from a lump or nipple (this may be blood-stained).
- A family history of breast cancer.
- Swelling and/or redness in your breast.
- Any symptoms of pregnancy, such as a missed period.
Source: NHS Choices.