Nipple pain after pregnancy

Pregnancy is an important period for women. In addition to some taboos, many changes will occur in the body during pregnancy. The most obvious ones are weight gain, darker nipple color, and brown stretch marks on the belly. These are all normal phenomena. However, some women experience nipple pain after pregnancy, especially when touched. So why do nipples hurt after pregnancy?

1. Nipple pain in pregnant women may be a characteristic of pregnancy

Starting from pregnancy, expectant mothers will feel breast swelling and even some pain. Occasionally, squeezing the nipples will produce sticky yellowish colostrum. And as the mammary glands enlarge, lumps-like growths may develop in the breasts. These are inevitable experiences of being a mother. From the moment the fertilized egg implants, along with the changes in hormones in the body, the breasts also respond accordingly to prepare for future breastfeeding.

Pregnant women with nipple pain can use hot compresses, massage and other methods to relieve discomfort. Gently massage your breasts with your hands every day to promote breast development and clean your nipples frequently. But don't massage in the later stages because it will cause uterine contractions.

2. Nipple pain in pregnant women may be caused by breast hyperplasia

Nipple pain in pregnant women may also be caused by breast hyperplasia. This disease is divided into mild and severe. Mild cases do not require treatment and can be treated while being observed. Severe cases can be treated with Chinese medicine. In your diet, avoid eating barbecued and fried foods, do not use hormone drugs indiscriminately, use less hormone-containing cosmetics, maintain a good mood, and avoid tension. The bra should be worn moderately and not too tight. Replace it with a wider bra in time to support the growing breasts.

3. Common conditions of breast pain in women

1) Premenstrual breast pain: Premenstrual breast pain is caused by increased estrogen levels, breast hyperplasia, cell enlargement, and breast cell edema. This type of breast pain generally does not require treatment. Just pay attention to a light diet before menstruation.

2) Breast pain during pregnancy: Breast pain after pregnancy is caused by the placenta and villi secreting large amounts of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin, which causes breast hyperplasia and breast enlargement. This is a kind of physiological pain, which is in preparation for postpartum breastfeeding. Just change to a wider bra in time to support the growing breasts.

3) Postpartum breast pain: Postpartum breast pain is mostly caused by mastitis. In addition to breast pain, there will also be fever and local lumps in the breast, which is mainly caused by blocked milk ducts and milk accumulation. Therefore, breastfeeding should be started as soon as possible after delivery to prevent excessive accumulation of milk in the breasts.

4) Breast pain due to mammary hyperplasia: Breast pain due to mammary hyperplasia can radiate to the armpits, shoulders and back. When touching the breasts, you can feel movable lumps of varying sizes with unclear edges. It can also be affected by menstruation and emotions. This type of breast pain is caused by metabolic disorders, accumulation of metabolic waste, qi stagnation and blood stasis in the body. You can take some medicines to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis and regulate endocrine.

5) Mastodynia: Mastodynia manifests as dull pain, distending pain or stabbing pain, and the pain may radiate to the armpits, shoulders and upper limbs. On examination, there was only tenderness, but no mass. The first choice for treatment is traditional Chinese medicine that can soothe the liver and promote qi, relieve depression, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and regulate endocrine system.

6) Cancer-related breast pain: When breast pain persists, the pain is fixed and radiates to the shoulders and back, and there is a feeling of weight in the shoulders, there is a possibility of breast cancer. It should be taken seriously and go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible.