What causes breast swelling and nipple pain?

Women must have experienced breast pain and nipple pain in their daily lives. So why do breasts swell and nipples hurt? This is related to all aspects of our lives. Breast swelling and nipple pain can easily affect our study and work, and some may even trigger other physiological reactions. If they last for a long time, they can cause great harm to the human body. What should we do if we want to reduce breast pain and nipple pain? Let me introduce it to you.

Several common physiological breast pain:

Pain during puberty

The earliest onset of breast pain in adolescent girls usually occurs between the ages of 9 and 13. At this time, the girl's breasts begin to develop. First, the nipple swells, and then a dome-shaped lump about the size of a pea or a bean appears in the breast tissue under the nipple, which is slightly swollen and painful. After menarche, it will disappear on its own as the breasts mature.

Premenstrual breast pain

More than half of women experience breast fullness, hardness and tenderness before menstruation. In severe cases, the breasts may become swollen and painful even with the slightest vibration or collision, and the original granular or nodular feeling becomes more obvious. This is caused by increased estrogen levels in the body before menstruation, breast hyperplasia, and edema of the breast interstitial tissue. The above changes may disappear after menstruation.

Pain during pregnancy

Some women experience breast pain around 40 days after pregnancy due to the placenta and villi secreting large amounts of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin, which causes breast hyperplasia and breast enlargement. In severe cases, the pain may last throughout the pregnancy and no treatment is needed.

Postpartum pain

Breast swelling, hardening and pain often occur 3-7 days after delivery. This is mainly caused by breast lymph retention, venous congestion, interstitial edema and obstruction of mammary ducts. Prevention and treatment methods: Mothers should breastfeed as early as possible. If there is a lump, you can apply hot compress and massage the lump before breastfeeding, or you can use a breast pump to draw out milk to promote patency of the mammary duct.

When we experience breast pain and nipple pain, we should go to the hospital for diagnosis in time to avoid the situation from getting worse. Women are especially prone to breast pain and headaches, so women should pay more attention to their breast development in life, go to the hospital for physical examinations appropriately, and avoid unnecessary harm.