Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTypes of Breast PainOther CausesRisk FactorsWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Types of Breast Pain
Other Causes
Risk Factors
When to See a Provider
Breast painis common in menopause andperimenopause. Also called mastalgia, breast pain affects up to 70% of people with breasts throughout their lives.It is usually associated with fluctuating hormones, such as during themenstrual cycleor other periods of hormonal changes. Breast pain can also continue after menopause (when periods have stopped for at least 12 straight months).
This article explains common types of breast pain, what causes the pain, and how to manage it.
Verywell / Sydney Saporito
What Is Breast Pain?
Breast pain varies among individuals and even within the same person. It can be constant or come and go. The level of pain can also vary from day to day and may occur in one or both breasts.
Breast pain and discomfort may feel like:
There aredifferent types of breast pain, which can also influence symptoms.
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Types of Breast Pain in Perimenopause and Menopause
Hormonal changes, including perimenopause and menopause, can cause breast pain. There are different types of breast pain, including cyclic and noncyclic. Another condition that can cause breast pain is mammary duct ectasia. Cyclic breast pain may worsen during perimenopause. Noncyclic breast pain is more common in people who have been through menopause.
Cyclic Mastalgia
Also called cyclic breast pain, this type is the most common, accounting for about 75% of all breast pain.It is linked to the menstrual cycle and other hormonal changes such as puberty,pregnancy, the period after giving birth (before milk comes in), and perimenopause. Cyclic mastalgia may worsen during perimenopause.
Cyclic mastalgia that starts in perimenopause may continue into menopause, especially if the person is taking medication containing hormones, such asoral contraceptivesorhormone replacement therapy.
Cyclic pain associated with the menstrual cycle typically starts a few days to two weeks before menstruating. It usually occurs in both breasts, but it can occur in just one. The pain generally occurs in the upper and outer portions of the breast(s) but can extend into the underarm area and the arm. Symptoms usually subside when the menstrual period is over.
Cyclic breast pain may feel like:
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Noncyclic Mastalgia
Noncyclic mastalgia, also called noncyclic breast pain, is not linked to hormones and doesn’t tend to follow a predictable pattern. It can involve one breast or both, the whole breast or just a part, and can be constant or temporary.
Noncyclic breast pain occurs most often in people who are inpostmenopause.
Noncyclic pain typically indicates a specific problem, such as:
Noncyclic breast pain may feel like:
Cyclical vs. Noncyclical Breast Pain: What Are the Differences?
If You Feel a Lump
Mammary Duct Ectasia
Mammary duct ectasiaoccurs when a breastmilk ductwidens, causing its walls to thicken. This can block the duct and lead to fluid buildup. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in people approaching menopause.
Often, mammary duct ectasia has no symptoms. It usually is only discovered during abreast biopsyperformed for another reason.
If symptoms do occur, they may include:
You should discuss any noticeable lumps with your healthcare provider.
Other Causes of Breast Pain
Breast pain can be a result of many factors, including the following.
Medication
Medications associated with breast pain include:
Infection
Mastitis(infection of the breast) or an abscess can cause breast pain. This is most common in peoplewho are lactating (breastfeeding)but can happen to anyone with breasts.Breast swelling, redness, and fever are likely to occur along with the pain and tenderness.
Trauma or Injury
This includes abreast biopsy(removing a sample tissue for examination in a lab) or surgery.
Pain from trauma to the breast may last for weeks. Pain and swelling may also occur if the trauma causesinflammationor a clot under the skin.
Poor Breast Support
Heavy breasts, especially when not well-supported, can cause breast pain, as well as pain in the shoulders, neck, and back.
Cancer
It is rare for breast pain to bedue to cancer, but it should be considered among the many other possible causes.
Risk Factors for Breast Pain
Caffeine,stress, andsmokingmay exacerbate breast pain.
Research suggests that some people who experience cyclic mastalgia may have less of the hormoneprogesteronethan they do the hormoneestrogenin the second half of their menstrual cycle.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
While breast pain is not usually a sign of something serious, it’s important to see your healthcare provider to determine the cause, especially if you are experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms that may warrant a trip to your healthcare provider include:
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Summary
Anyone with breasts can experience breast pain. Hormonal changes during perimenopause can cause breast pain to start or increase. Smoking, stress, caffeine, and some medications may worsen breast pain.
Cyclic breast pain may worsen in perimenopause or menopause. Noncyclic breast pain occurs most often in people who are in postmenopause.
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10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Eren T, Aslan A, Ozemir IA, et al.Factors effecting mastalgia.Breast Care. 2016;11(3):188-193. doi:10.1159/000444359Australian Menopause Centre.Breast pain and tenderness.Beaumont Hospital.Breast pain.Harvard Health.Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint.Harvard Health.Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint.American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.Eren T, Aslan A, Ozemir IA, et al.Factors effecting mastalgia.Breast Care (Basel). 2016;11(3):188-193. doi:10.1159/000444359Hubbard TJ, Sharma A, Ferguson DJ.Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria.Br J Gen Pract.2020;70(697):419-420. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712133University of Rochester Medical Center.Breast pain (mastalgia).National Health Service.Breast pain
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Eren T, Aslan A, Ozemir IA, et al.Factors effecting mastalgia.Breast Care. 2016;11(3):188-193. doi:10.1159/000444359Australian Menopause Centre.Breast pain and tenderness.Beaumont Hospital.Breast pain.Harvard Health.Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint.Harvard Health.Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint.American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.Eren T, Aslan A, Ozemir IA, et al.Factors effecting mastalgia.Breast Care (Basel). 2016;11(3):188-193. doi:10.1159/000444359Hubbard TJ, Sharma A, Ferguson DJ.Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria.Br J Gen Pract.2020;70(697):419-420. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712133University of Rochester Medical Center.Breast pain (mastalgia).National Health Service.Breast pain
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Eren T, Aslan A, Ozemir IA, et al.Factors effecting mastalgia.Breast Care. 2016;11(3):188-193. doi:10.1159/000444359Australian Menopause Centre.Breast pain and tenderness.Beaumont Hospital.Breast pain.Harvard Health.Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint.Harvard Health.Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint.American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.Eren T, Aslan A, Ozemir IA, et al.Factors effecting mastalgia.Breast Care (Basel). 2016;11(3):188-193. doi:10.1159/000444359Hubbard TJ, Sharma A, Ferguson DJ.Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria.Br J Gen Pract.2020;70(697):419-420. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712133University of Rochester Medical Center.Breast pain (mastalgia).National Health Service.Breast pain
Eren T, Aslan A, Ozemir IA, et al.Factors effecting mastalgia.Breast Care. 2016;11(3):188-193. doi:10.1159/000444359
Australian Menopause Centre.Breast pain and tenderness.
Beaumont Hospital.Breast pain.
Harvard Health.Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint.
American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.
Eren T, Aslan A, Ozemir IA, et al.Factors effecting mastalgia.Breast Care (Basel). 2016;11(3):188-193. doi:10.1159/000444359
Hubbard TJ, Sharma A, Ferguson DJ.Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria.Br J Gen Pract.2020;70(697):419-420. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712133
University of Rochester Medical Center.Breast pain (mastalgia).
National Health Service.Breast pain
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