Breast Pain (Mastalgia)

If you have concerns about shooting pains, aches, or burning feelings in one or both of your breasts, you may want to talk with your healthcare provider. Most breast pain is caused by hormonal changes or benign conditions such as fibrocystic breast changes or a single cyst or fibroadenoma. 

There are two types of breast pain:

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  cyclic breast pain (linked to menstrual cycle)

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  noncyclic breast pain (not linked to menstrual cycle)

If you have breasts that become more painful, tender, and swollen the closer you get to your period, you may be experiencing cyclic breast pain. This pain tends to ease up after a menstrual period and return again the following month. The pain is usually felt in the outer and upper parts of both breasts, and it might involve your underarm area, as well. This type of breast pain is most common in younger women.

If you have a sharp pain, burning, or soreness in one area (or areas) of the breast that does not follow a regular pattern, you may be experiencing noncyclic breast pain. This type of breast pain is most common in women who have gone through menopause.

Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle are believed to play a key role in cyclic breast pain, but there are likely other factors, as well.

Studies suggest that these factors may cause noncyclic breast pain:

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  trauma

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  surgery

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  breast cysts and fibroadenomas 

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  inflammation where the bones and cartilage meet in your rib cage (costochondritis)

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  medications (hormone replacement therapies, infertility drugs, birth control, certain antidepressants) 

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  smoking

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  fatty diet

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  caffeine

It may be time to consult a doctor if your breast pain comes with other symptoms, such as: 

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  a mass, growth, or area of thickened tissue in the breast or underarm 

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  skin irritation or dimpling 

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  nipple pain or the nipple turning inward 

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  inflammation, redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin

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  swelling 

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  nipple discharge

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  inflammation

Your doctor may want to conduct an ultrasound and/or biopsy to rule out breast cancer.

Whether your breast pain occurs around your period or is caused by other problems, you may find some relief by taking these steps: 

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  Reduce your consumption of caffeine. 

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  Eat a very low-fat diet. 

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  Wear a comfortable, supportive sports bra. 

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  Use a topical pain-relieving gel (also known as a nonsteroidal analgesic), such as diclofenac (brand name: Voltaren). 

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  Take oral pain medicines such as acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin). 

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  Apply warm or cool compresses to the area. 

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  Take a multivitamin with vitamin E. 

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  Try evening primrose oil.

If your breast pain is caused by a cyst, your doctor may suggest draining the cyst for relief.

Generally, breast pain is not a sign or symptom of cancer. However, if breast pain is severe or persists — interrupting your daily activities and lasting more than a couple weeks — it should be checked by your doctor.

Yes, the hormones in birth control may cause breast pain by shifting your natural levels of estrogen and progesterone. 

Ovulation leads to higher levels of estrogen in the body — which can stimulate breast tissue — causing pain.