Breast pain, aka ‘mastalgia’, accounts for nearly half of all breast-related complaints. However, before you start jumping to dire conclusions (breast cancer!), please read this.
If you’re suffering from pain, tenderness or increased sensitivity to touch or pressure in one or both of your breasts, we can understand that you’re probably terrified and imagining the worst.
Ergo, let’s get a few facts straight first. Breast pain alone isn’t usually an indicator of breast cancer; and, according to experts, it is much more likely that tender, aching breasts could be caused by something else.
The following are 5 very likely reasons why you’re experiencing pain, or even increased sensitivity, in your breasts:
1. Mastitis
Mastitis is an infection of breast tissue that leads to the inflammation, i.e., abnormal swelling and redness of breasts.
In most cases, it is as a result of an infection of a woman’s breast ducts and occurs in mother’s who are nursing. While breastfeeding, bacteria residing inside the baby’s mouth could gain entry into a woman’s breasts through her nipple.
Other than breast pain, mastitis could also lead to symptoms such as:
General discomfort in breasts.
Fever of 38.3 C (101 F) or higher temperatures.
Chills, fatigue or malaise.
Warm or red breast skin.
Nipple discharge or pus is also common.
If left untreated, mastitis could lead to the formation of an abscess. Once diagnosed, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics (for the infection) and NSAID (for the pain, swelling, and fever).
2. Fibromas
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