What causes breast pain, and when should I see my provider?

Feeling pain in or near your breasts can be concerning.

If you’ve been experiencing breast pain, whether you feel pain every month or whether you experience sudden and irregular breast pain, it is a good idea to let your healthcare provider know. 

Your provider may suggest a diagnostic scan, like a mammogram, a breast ultrasound or a breast MRI, to get a clear look at the source of your pain.

In this guide, we’ll let you know what causes breast pain and cyclical breast pain, when you should see your provider, and what diagnostic scans your provider may recommend. Let’s start with what causes breast pain.

Why does breast pain happen?

One common cause of breast pain is hormonal changes, especially during your menstrual cycle. This is called cyclical breast pain.

As estrogen and progesterone levels change, you might feel tenderness and swelling in your breasts, and it often occurs around the same time each month.

Other breast pain, called non-cyclical breast pain, isn’t related to your menstrual cycle. It can result from an injury, inflammation, or conditions like mastitis or cysts. 

Sometimes, pain might come from muscle strain in your chest area rather than the breast itself, which is why it’s so important to find the source of your pain.

How do symptoms of breast pain vary between women?

Breast pain symptoms can vary a lot from one woman to another. Some might feel a dull ache, while others experience a sharp or burning sensation. 

The pain can be constant or come and go, affecting one or both breasts. For some women, the discomfort is mild and manageable, but for others, it can be severe and impact daily activities.

The pain’s location can also differ. It might be in a specific area of the breast or more widespread, even extending to the armpit or down the arm. 

The type and location of the pain can give clues about its cause. Cyclical breast pain often affects both breasts and comes with swelling or lumpiness, while non-cyclical breast pain might be persistent in one small area.

What lifestyle factors can contribute to breast pain?

Wearing a poorly fitting bra can cause or worsen discomfort because it doesn’t provide enough support. Make sure you wear a properly fitted bra, especially during exercise, to help reduce this pain.

Your diet can also play a role. High caffeine intake has been linked to increased breast pain for some women. A diet high in fat and low in essential nutrients can also affect breast health.

Stress and anxiety can influence breast pain, too. High stress levels can lead to hormonal imbalances, which may make symptoms worse. 

By wearing the right bra, eating well, and getting exercise, you’ll be able to better manage your breast pain, over time.

Cyclical breast pain vs. non-cyclical breast pain

Your healthcare provider will look into whether your breast pain happens each month, just before your period starts (which is cyclical breast pain), or whether it is not related to your period but to something else (which is non-cyclical breast pain).

Let’s look into cyclical and non-cyclical breast pain, why the difference matters, and at how you can manage your breast pain.

What is cyclical breast pain? What causes it?

As we mentioned, cyclical breast pain is pain that is linked to your menstrual cycle. It often feels like a dull, heavy ache and can affect both breasts, usually in the upper and outer areas. 

This type of pain typically starts a few days before your period, and ends once your period begins.

Cyclical pain is common among women in their reproductive years, and can be part of the normal menstrual cycle.

What is non-cyclical breast pain? What health issues could it suggest?

In contrast, non-cyclical breast pain is not related to the menstrual cycle, and can occur at any time. 

This pain might be constant or intermittent and can affect one or both breasts. It can feel like a sharp, burning, or tight pain, and may be localized to a specific area.

Non-cyclical breast pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, infections (like mastitis), cysts, or fibrocystic breast changes. 

While non-cyclical breast pain is less common than cyclical pain, it’s important to pay attention to it, as it could indicate underlying health issues that may need medical attention.

When to see your healthcare provider about breast pain?

It might not be easy to know when your breast pain and associated symptoms mean you should see your healthcare provider.

We want to help you understand what exactly to look for, so you can make the best choice for your health, and get the care you need.

Let’s see what symptoms you should look for, how long you should consider waiting before seeking care, and what your screening options may be.

What symptoms should prompt a visit to my healthcare provider?

You should see your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms like a new lump in the breast, nipple discharge (especially if it’s bloody or clear), or changes in the appearance of your breast (like dimpling, puckering, or redness). 

Additionally, if you notice that one breast feels significantly different from the other, or if the pain is localized and doesn’t seem to fluctuate with your menstrual cycle, it’s a good idea to get it checked out. 

Any of these symptoms can indicate issues that need professional evaluation to rule out a serious change in your breast health.

How does the duration and intensity of breast pain impact the decision to seek medical advice?

Consult with your healthcare provider if you experience breast pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter pain relievers or lifestyle changes. If your pain lasts more than a few days, or if it gets progressively worse, you must see your provider immediately.

If your breast pain affects your daily activities, you should see your healthcare provider, even if your pain is not severe. Your provider can help identify the cause, and suggest appropriate treatments or lifestyle adjustments to alleviate your pain.

Should I get a screening if I have ongoing breast pain?

For women experiencing breast pain, routine check-ups are important. Your healthcare provider might recommend more frequent breast exams to monitor any changes in your breast tissue.

It’s also helpful to keep a symptom diary, noting when the pain occurs, its intensity, and any other accompanying symptoms. This information can be valuable for your provider in diagnosing the cause of your breast pain, and recommending the best course of action. 

Routine check-ups combined with self-awareness and tracking can help manage recurrent breast pain effectively.

Diagnostic imaging for your breast pain

Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more diagnostic scans, like a mammogram, a breast ultrasound, or a breast MRI, to find the source of your breast pain.

The results from breast imaging will give your provider highly detailed images of your breasts, giving them information about what’s causing your pain, and about how to care for your health.

How can mammograms help diagnose breast pain?

Mammograms can help detect any abnormalities that might be causing your breast pain. They’re especially useful for identifying lumps, calcifications, and other changes that you or your provider might not feel during a physical exam or a self exam.

Annual screening mammograms are recommended for all women starting at age 40, but if you’re experiencing unexplained breast pain, your healthcare provider might suggest one earlier. 

A mammogram can also help differentiate between benign conditions, such as cysts or fibroadenomas, and more serious issues like breast cancer.

How does ultrasound help evaluate breast pain?

Breast ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the breast tissue, which can be particularly helpful in distinguishing between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts. 

Ultrasound is a painless, non-invasive scan that can quickly give your healthcare provider important information about the cause of your breast pain and guide further treatment options. It is often combined with mammography to provide a more comprehensive view of the breast.

One of the key benefits of breast ultrasound is that it can provide detailed images of dense breast tissue, which can be more challenging to assess with mammography alone.

When might an MRI be recommended to investigate breast pain?

Your provider may recommend an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to investigate breast pain when other imaging tests, like mammography and ultrasound, do not provide enough information. 

MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the breast tissue, offering a different perspective that can reveal abnormalities that might be missed by other methods.

MRI is particularly useful for women with a high risk of breast cancer or those with very dense breast tissue. It can help detect tumors that are not visible on mammograms or ultrasounds. 

If you experience persistent breast pain, discussing these options with your healthcare provider can help determine the best course of action for your situation, and provide you the best possible care.

How to schedule an appointment with us

Our goal is to offer you and your healthcare provider the most informative results possible, and we make it easy for you to get an appointment. 

With numerous locations across South Jersey, you’ll find us conveniently located near major highways and key bridges in the region. 

We’ll ensure the entire scheduling process is as effortless as possible for you. Above all, we are here to help you.

Reach out to us at any of the following locations to book an appointment:

• Cherry Hill Office – Cherry Hill, NJ
• Haddonfield Office – Haddonfield, NJ
• Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
• Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
• Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
• West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
• Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
• Women’s Center at Cross Keys – Sewell, NJ
• Women’s Center at Medford – Medford, NJ
• Women’s Center at Mount Laurel – Mount Laurel, NJ
• Women’s Center at Voorhees – Voorhees Township, NJ

Learn more about the board-certified, subspecialized radiologists who read, analyze, and interpret the findings here at South Jersey Radiology Associates.