What is the reason for breast pain?

Breast pain may be related to some hidden diseases, such as mastitis, ovarian tumors, breast pain, and some gynecological diseases. Although there is no big connection between breasts and gynecological organs, gynecological organs can interfere with normal progesterone and breast hormones, causing breast pain in the body.

Four hidden diseases related to breast pain

(I) Mastodynia

The pathogenesis of mastalgia is similar to that of primary dysmenorrhea and is quite common. Its characteristics are breast pain without breast lumps, severe and persistent distension and pain, like a needle or knife-like pain, and sometimes dull pain. The pain is of variable location and severity on both sides, and may radiate to the armpits, shoulders, back and upper limbs. In severe cases, the patient cannot get dressed and is afraid to walk. During examination, a thickening or granular feeling may be seen on the upper outer part of the breast, with slight tenderness, but no lumps.

Menopausal women may also experience unbearable breast pain, often accompanied by breast warmth and discomfort, which is related to the secretion of large amounts of gonadotropin and autonomic nervous system disorders in their bodies. The treatment of mastalgia is better with Chinese medicine to soothe the liver and relieve pain. In most cases, the pain will be relieved or even disappear after a period of treatment, and some may recur. In a few cases, lumps will develop later, forming breast hyperplasia, so regular check-ups are required.

(ii) Mastitis pain

Local redness, swelling, heat and pain in one breast, accompanied by increased body temperature, is often a sign of mastitis. In the early stages, antibiotics (such as penicillin or the Chinese medicine dandelion) and hot compresses can be used to reduce inflammation and swelling. If an abscess is formed in the late stage, incision and drainage are required.

(III) Ovarian tumor breast pain

Because ovarian tumors produce large amounts of estrogen, they stimulate breast hyperplasia and cause breast pain. About 20% of patients with ovarian tumors have concurrent breast diseases, including breast pain and breast cancer. For unexplained breast pain, a gynecological examination should be performed to determine whether there is an ovarian tumor.

Breast cancer pain

48% of breast cancer patients experience varying degrees of dull pain and tingling in the breast, which gradually worsens and involves the shoulders and back. About 13% of breast cancer patients have breast pain as an early symptom, and 6% of these patients have breast pain as the only early symptom, that is, they only have breast pain and no lump can be felt. In the late stages of breast cancer, the pain is severe and unbearable, and progressively worsens. Breast cancer is more common in women over 50 years old. Therefore, older women with persistent breast pain, fixed breast pain, and heaviness in the shoulders should be closely followed up and not miss the opportunity for early diagnosis.