Breast Pain
Breast pain or breast tenderness affects the majority of women. Recent surveys show that 40% of people have mild breast pain and more than 20% have severe breast pain. In cases of severe breast pain, some women come to the hospital because severe breast pain can affect the quality of life of some women and, more importantly, because of the fear of whether they have other malignant diseases, such as breast cancer.
Types of breast pain
Breast pain is mainly divided into cyclical pain and non-cyclical pain. These two types of pain can be distinguished through the breast pain chart.
What is non-cyclical pain?
Non-cyclic pain occurs when the timing of breast pain does not correlate with the menstrual cycle, i.e. the pain can occur irregularly. This type of pain accounts for about 25% of all breast pain and is mainly caused by muscle pain due to muscle injury, infection, etc., or pain due to costochondritis.
What is cyclical pain?
Periodic pain is pain that occurs when the timing of breast pain correlates with the menstrual cycle. Generally speaking, this type of pain is most common in women in their 30s and 40s and is most severe 7 to 10 days before menstruation. This type of pain accounts for about 75% of all pain and is mainly due to cyclic changes in hormone levels in the body.
Treatment of non-cyclic breast pain
True non-cyclic breast pain is very difficult to treat, and the primary treatment is wearing a firm, supportive bra and taking simple pain medication. For problems that originate from structures other than the breast, such as the muscles or ribs, the use of appropriate antibiotics and pain medication is effective, with the assistance of a thoracic surgeon or pain physician if necessary.
Treatment of cyclical pain
Mild breast pain that appears before and disappears after menstruation is relatively common. If a complete clinical examination does not reveal any abnormality, no special medication is required. 85% of patients with mild pain achieve relief through psychological reassurance, stress relief, corrective rest and advice to wear a sturdy, supportive bra. Only about 15% of patients have pain that is so severe that it affects the patient’s life and requires special treatment such as medication.
What can I do to relieve my cyclical pain?
1. Wearing a firm sports bra during the day and at night can relieve cyclical pain, especially in the week before menstruation.
2.If you are using birth control pills, switch to low estrogen birth control pills or stop using them.
3.Regular exercise (more than 30 minutes 3 times a week) can lower estrogen levels and thus relieve pain.
4.A low-fat, high-fiber diet can lower estrogen levels, while relieving pain.
5.If the breast pain chart shows that the pain lasts longer than the prescribed baseline of 7 days/month, some medications can be used to control it.
6.Withdraw from a caffeinated diet. For example, reduce the intake of coffee, tea, cola, etc.; quit smoking can also reduce pain.
7.If the pain is caused by estrogen replacement therapy: stop using estrogen replacement therapy drugs, this pain can gradually improve, so do not worry.