Tips to Reduce Pain During and After Mammograms

Some people dread making a mammogram appointment because they’re afraid the test will hurt, or because they’ve had pain or discomfort from mammograms in the past. 

What you feel during a mammogram is highly individual — some people find them painful and some don’t. Also, you might find that some of the mammograms you get cause more discomfort than others.

When you get a mammogram, you stand close to a special X-ray machine and a technician places your breast on a plastic platform. Another plastic plate gradually presses down on your breast, flattening it and holding it in place. The technician will ask you to hold still and may ask you to hold your breath while your breast is compressed for about 10 to 15 seconds. This is when a specialized camera attached to the plates takes X-ray pictures of the breast.   

You repeat the process several times, as the technician takes several images of each breast from different directions. 

The compression of the breast tissue is typically what causes discomfort during a mammogram.

"This compression is important as it allows for better visualization of the tissue and ultimately better cancer detection," says Samantha Heller, MD, PhD, a breast radiologist and professor in the Department of Radiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City.

Some people (especially those with disabilities or chronic pain) may also feel discomfort or pain from needing to stand and hold still, or from how they need to position their body during a mammogram. 

Several factors can affect what you might feel during a mammogram, such as: 

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  pre-existing breast pain 

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  general chronic pain in your body

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  increased breast sensitivity due to hormonal fluctuations

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  the size of your breasts

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  the skill of the technician and how they are positioning your breasts during the test

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  feeling fear or anxiety about the test and/or what the test might find

Mammograms are so important for detecting breast cancer early that it’s worth it to figure out some ways to make them more comfortable for you. 

When making your mammogram appointment and at the appointment, talk with the imaging center staff about any questions or concerns you have about the test. If you’re having pain or anxiety during the exam (or did in the past when you got a mammogram), let the mammogram technician know. They can take steps to help you feel more comfortable, such as trying different ways of positioning your breasts, devoting extra time to your exam so you don’t feel rushed, and talking you through your anxiety. If you have trouble standing and holding still during the test, the technician may be able to adjust the machine so you can sit in a chair.   

If you still get your period, try scheduling your mammogram appointment so that it’s not the week before or during your period, if possible. Your breasts may be more tender, sore, or swollen during those weeks due to hormonal fluctuations, which can make getting a mammogram extra uncomfortable.

To get ahead of any pain and discomfort, you can try taking an over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen about an hour before your mammogram. Just be sure to check with your doctor that it doesn’t interfere with any other medications you’re taking.

If mammograms make you anxious, try using techniques to calm your mind and body. You may feel less discomfort and find it easier to hold still while the images are taken if you can release your tension. Before the test begins, you could listen to relaxing music, do simple mindfulness exercises, or take a few slow, deep breaths. 

It might also help to remember that any discomfort you feel from a mammogram typically lasts for only a short time. Each time an X-ray image is taken, your breast is compressed for about 10 seconds at a time, and the entire exam usually takes 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish.  

When you’re looking for an imaging center to get a mammogram, you may want to see if you can find one that uses approaches to help you feel more comfortable. For example, some centers give you the option of selecting calming videos, lighting, and sounds in the room where you get your mammogram. Some have mammogram machines with an upper plastic plate with a curved surface meant to mirror the shape of the breast and chest wall and reduce discomfort during compression and/or soft foam padding on the lower plastic plate. A few centers even give patients the option of using a handheld, wireless remote control that allows them to control the amount of compression during the mammogram. Imaging centers with these types of features are not everywhere, but they’re becoming more common and many of them do accept insurance.    

Some people continue to feel lingering pain in their breasts for several hours or even a few days after a mammogram. This pain is usually not a sign of anything to be concerned about, experts say.

”Breast pain is very common after a mammogram due to the compression of breast tissue and possible irritation of nerves or muscle strain during the examination,” says Amy Patel, MD, a breast radiologist and associate professor of radiology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.

To help alleviate the pain, Dr. Patel suggests using an ice pack, avoiding strenuous activity, and wearing a soft and supportive bra without an underwire. You could also take an over-the-counter pain medicine (if your doctor says it’s safe for you). The pain or discomfort should go away within a few days. But if it doesn’t, then you may want to talk with your doctor.