Pain - breast; Mastalgia; Mastodynia; Breast tenderness

If you have painful breasts, the following may help:

• Take medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Use heat or ice on the breast
• Wear a well-fitting bra that supports your breasts

Although some women believe that reducing the amount of fat, caffeine, or chocolate in their diet helps with their symptoms, there is no good evidence that this helps. Vitamine E, thiamine, magnesium, and evening primrose oil are not harmful, but in most studies they have not shown any benefit. Before taking any medication or supplement, be sure to talk with your health care provider.

Certain birth control pills may help relieve breast pain. Ask your health care provider if this therapy is right for you.

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Bloody or clear discharge from your nipple
• Given birth within the last week and your breasts are swollen or hard
• Noticed a new lump with the pain that does not go away after your menstrual period
• Persistent, unexplained breast pain
• Signs of a breast infection, including local redness, pus, or fever

Your health care provider will perform a breast examination and ask questions about your breast pain. You may have amammogram or ultrasound.

Your health care provider may schedule a follow-up visit if your symptoms have not gone away in a given period of time. Your health care provider may recommend that you see a specialist if the symptoms do not go away.

Images

Breast pain

Female breast

Previous Section

Breast pain Overview

Next Section

Breast pain Prevention

Review Date: 01/24/2011
Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)