What causes breast pain?

The breasts are a very important part for women. If you do not pay attention to breast care, it is easy to cause breast diseases. In daily life, breast pain is a very common phenomenon. There are many reasons for breast pain. In fact, no matter what the cause is, it needs to be taken seriously and actively treated to prevent the disease from worsening and increase the difficulty of treatment.

What causes breast pain?

1. Breast pain during puberty

The first type of breast pain usually occurs in women between the ages of 9 and 13. After menarche, the pain will disappear on its own.

2. Premenstrual breast pain

Many women experience breast pain before menstruation. In severe cases, the breasts will become swollen and painful with the slightest vibration or collision. It is mainly because the estrogen level in the body increases before menstruation, which causes the interbreast tissue. This breast tenderness will gradually disappear after menstruation.

Some women experience breast pain before their period. There is no need to worry about this, as the pain will disappear when their period comes.

3. Breast pain during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the placenta and villi secrete large amounts of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, which cause the mammary glands to enlarge and cause breast pain. In severe cases, this pain may last throughout the entire pregnancy. This type of breast pain is normal and does not require treatment.

4. Postpartum breast pain

Postpartum breast pain is caused by mammary lymph retention, venous distension, interstitial edema and obstruction of mammary ducts, and usually occurs 3 to 7 days after delivery.

5. Breast pain after artificial insemination

If pregnancy is suddenly interrupted, it can also cause breast tenderness, because the hormone levels in the body drop suddenly, causing the newly developed breasts to suddenly stop growing, causing breast lumps and breast pain.

What to do if you have breast pain

1. Change your eating habits. Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet and consume fiber from whole grains (whole grains), vegetables, and beans.

2. Massage your breasts frequently. Gently massaging the breasts can help return excess body fluid to the lymphatic system. When massaging, first apply soapy liquid to the breast, and rotate your fingers along the surface of the breast in a circle about the size of a coin. Then use your hands to press the breasts in and bounce them up, which is extremely helpful in preventing breast discomfort.

3. Wear a secure bra. In addition to preventing breast sagging, the more important function of a bra is to prevent further compression of the already compressed breast nerves and eliminate discomfort. Careful sisters will find that those jogging athletes wear stable bras for this health reason.

4. Avoid diuretics. Diuretics do help remove fluid from the body and can also reduce breast swelling. But this immediate relief comes at a cost. Excessive use of diuretics can lead to potassium loss, disrupt electrolyte balance, and affect glucose formation.

5. Don’t eat salty food. High-salt foods can easily cause breast enlargement, and such foods should be avoided especially in the 7 to 10 days before menstruation.

6. Use hot compress. Hot compress is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment that can relieve breast pain by using a heat bag, hot water bottle, or hot bath. If you use alternating cold and hot compresses, the effect of eliminating breast discomfort will be better.

7. Prevent obesity. For women who are overweight, losing weight can help relieve breast pain.