Painful, tender or sore breasts/ nipples- causes, risk factors and solutions

Painful or tender breasts will occur in many women at some point in their lives – up to 70%. Sore breasts are a common problem if you suffer from PMS but you may also suffer from breast pain and swollen, lumpy breasts from other causes.

Causes of breast pain and swollen nipples

Ultimately, what actually makes the breasts tender and swollen is too much water in the breast tissue. This causes the pressure and stretching of the breast tissue which causes pain. This accumulation of water, also known as water retention, also causes the bloating you may feel when you have painful swollen breasts. The root cause of this water retention is usually your hormones.

Situations that may lead to sore breasts

  • Pregnancy – during pregnancy you have a very high level of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen increases the amount of breast tissue while progesterone helps to make the glands in the breast mature with some accumulation of water. This prepares the breast to manufacture food for the newborn baby. In this case, the swelling of the breasts, although it’s uncomfortable, is a good thing.
  • PMS – in PMS the swelling and water retention are mostly due to hormonal imbalance – estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is a situation in which the levels of estrogen and progesterone are out of balance – the progesterone in your body is not enough to balance the levels of estrogen.
  • Premenopause and menopause – before menopause, up to 15% of cycles may be anovulatory (ie no egg is released) even in women with regular cycles. As you get older, production of estrogen and progesterone in your body gradually begin to wind down and you will tend to have even more anovulatory cycles until you get to menopause. Most of the progesterone in your body is produced in the ovaries after ovulation. No ovulation means almost no progesterone. Even though you’re producing less estrogen as you go through menopause, these levels are still out of balance with the very low levels of progesterone. So you can still have estrogen dominance even if you have low estrogen levels. This leads to sore and tender breasts.

  • Imbalance in fat levels – an imbalance in the fats in your cells may make your breast tissue more sensitive to circulating hormones in the body causing breast pain.
  • Medication – drugs like oral contraceptives, drugs used for Hormone Replacement Therapy and even some antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft.
  • Pain in the heart and chest may also be felt in the breast.
  • Very large breasts may also cause pain because of their weight. You may also feel pain in the neck and shoulders as well.
  • Breast cancer – breast pain can also be a sign of breast cancer but it is usually a late sign in advanced cases.

How can I relieve breast pain

  • If you’re pregnant, wear a good bra that gives your breasts plenty of support and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
  • If you have PMS, are premenopausal or menopausal:
    • use natural progesterone cream – natural (bioidentical) progesterone cream balances the estrogen effects in the body and so helps to reduce water retention and bloating as well as sore breasts. However, using too much can cause the very symptoms you’re trying to relieve.
    • use evening primrose oil or borage oil – these help to normalize the fat levels in your tissues making them less sensitive to circulating hormones
    • take a good multivitamin supplement that contains B complex vitamins, zinc, Vitamin E, magnesium and Vitamin C
    • use a women’s herbal formula that contains some or all of the following: vitex, blue cohosh and dong quai
    • use a detoxifying formula that contains some or all of the following: milk thistle, barberry or goldenseal, burdock root, yellow dock, dandelion root

    Avoid:

    • caffeine – whether in coffee or other food and drinks
    • using estrogen without balancing with progesterone
    • dairy products as much as possible
    • meat and poultry that has been exposed to drugs and hormones, try and eat free range/ organic meat and chicken
  • Practice some relaxation techniques – stress and anxiety may worsen breast pain

If your breast pain becomes really unbearable and none of these measures work for you, a trip to your doctor may be good idea.

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April 23, 2009 by Ada
Filed under: Menopause Solutions, Menopause symptoms, PMS, Progesterone 

Comments

27 Comments on Painful, tender or sore breasts/ nipples- causes, risk factors and solutions

  1. Robin on Thu, 18th Jun 2009 9:45 pm

    2. My breasts have been sore all over, especially my nipples ,for the past two weeks. My boyfriend and I were scared that I may be pregnant, so i took a test. It was negative, however, my period is still four days away and my breasts seem to be getting bigger and hurt worse everyday. I have gained 9 pounds in the last two weeks and feel very exhausted for no reason. Should I take another pregnancy test? I know that some women still have their period during pregnancy. How common is that? I do not have health insurance right now so going to the doctor is out of the question. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

  2. Ada on Sat, 20th Jun 2009 1:25 pm

    3. Hi Robin. I know you must be really worried right now but your best bet is to give yourself a break. Most pregnancy tests can’t detect a pregnancy that early. Wait to see if your period comes first of all. If it does then the breast tenderness and bloating should subside. If you don’t see your period when it’s due, wait for about a week and repeat the pregnancy test again.
    You may just be having a severe episode of PMS.
    All the best.

  3. mel (mom of 5) on Wed, 8th Jul 2009 7:02 pm

    4. Hormones and being premenstral can cause sore and tender breasts. The weight gain can also be a contributing factor if the gain is related to water retention which could swell your breasts. If it is a pregnancy, and you can not afford testing, you can buy very cheap pregnancy tests at your local dollar store or as I have done in the past, I had a pregnangy test at my local family planning clinic which offered free or low cost pregnancy testing depending on your income. The plus side was even though I was not pregnant. They gave me an exam and birth control for free. Not everyone is aware that there are services available if you are not insured . I know when I was younger, it was a big help!!!

  4. Ennie on Sun, 26th Jul 2009 9:03 am

    5. Hie, I`ve been having pains on my breast every morning but I tested negative some three days ago I thought I was pregnant.What do I do m worried

  5. nancy on Sat, 8th Aug 2009 10:23 pm

    6. Hi in my situation I’m 24years old and for the last two months my breast have grown three sizes bigger and in last month I got what I thought was my per a week early I spotted for two days and the third day I bled only during sex and about an hour later it stopped. Its now been a month later and still no period my breast hurt bad and my nipples are so tender that I cry. I’ve actually lost twelve pounds by eating healthy and I’ve had cramps on. And off for two months now eventhough I haven’t had a per. I have been craving a certain food: beans with strawberries and coolwhip on top. I’ve always had a regular period . Can anybody that may have gone through this or may have a comment on what they think is going on? I’ve also had frequent urination and fatigue but I also have asthma so I’m not even sure this applies I have also taken two hpt and both came out neg.

  6. linda on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 3:07 am

    7. what can i use to ease breast pain after having a baby?

  7. strudders on Fri, 4th Sep 2009 11:26 pm

    8. hi, nancy could you be pregnant?

    i to am suffering have had painful boobs for at least the last to weeks, periods are all over the place but i have endometriosis so that doesnt help. theyve never been this sore before though, i lie on my front at night and cant as it really hurts, why is this? any advice helpful thanks x

  8. keebler on Fri, 11th Sep 2009 9:22 pm

    9. Hi everyone!

    Am 21 years old. I learned in Feb. I was Preg. but at 6 weeks I had ultrasound and there was no baby. So I had a d&c and soon after. I have had a complete molar pregnancy in april 2009. Now am negative but have to wait 6 months to l year to try to have kids. However I have sore breasts for about week. I took a preg. test it was negative. I had my per. in August but still have not had it in sept. Dont know whats going on with my body this month? Does anyone have advise for my husband and I. Please

  9. vdawn on Thu, 1st Oct 2009 8:49 pm

    10. question–I am 54 years old and have been on HRT for 4+ years without any problems. Had a normal mammogram 4 months ago. My nipples have been chronically sore for a few months now and today I had enough discharge from the right one which is also the most sore to make it stick to my bra. I am small breasted and wear well fitted bras (38B). It has me worried. II don’t want to hit the panic button but wonder if any of you have any ideas.

  10. Kim on Tue, 20th Oct 2009 2:52 pm

    11. Hi. I am 25 years old and for the past week and a half, my breasts have been overly sore. I don’t think that I could be pregnant though. I also do have very large breasts. What could the other possibilities be? Thanks!

  11. Di on Sun, 22nd Nov 2009 4:31 pm

    12. I’m a 48 yr old woman, I started the slippery road to the menopause at 44-45. My left breast is hot, painful. The nipple is extremely tender, the surrounding brown area is oval, more so than the right side, the skin is crumpled. I had a mamogram a couple of years ago because both breasts were tender, they said I just suffered with tender breasts. The side of my left breast and side of left rib area is painful. I have no discharge. My nipple is red at the end of it. I have examined myself but it is very painful to do so… what should I do next?

  12. Marie on Sat, 12th Dec 2009 8:57 am

    13. Vdawn and Di…
    You both need to see a doctor. Redness, changes in shape and discharge are serious and you shouldn’t ignore them. Please see a doctor and change doctors if they seem to blow it off.

  13. Donna on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 8:13 am

    14. I think i may be having some sort of hormonal surges…here are my concerns:

    Postmenopausal X 1 year. Now having painful nipples only. Prolapsed uterus is not right now…after being that way for almost 3 years. I am thinking hormonal surges?? I should know if that can happen but I don’t! Any thoughts would be appreciated. And yes I am going to see a doctor after the holidays. I take no HRT.

  14. chrissy on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 7:25 am

    15. Hi to Vdawn and Di,
    I too am 46 and for the last 3 to 4 weeks my breasts have been so sore as well as my nipples. i too have had some stickiness to my bra. I did go to to the doc when I could not move my upper half of my body beauase it was so painful. My doc gave me 800 mg of motrin that seemed to help ease some pain but they are still painful.
    they actually fill odd. like cold i use a heating pad over them to sleep. She told me if i get the feeling they are going to be very sore to take the motrin. They almost feel like when I was nursing and had inguagment. I could not move then either. Is that how you fell too? Do you take any natural supplements to help? Just curious.

  15. Tif on Tue, 29th Dec 2009 5:17 am

    16. Hi there. I am 29 years old, i have everything that makes a woman sterile. For example i suffer from endomitriosis, Fibroma 7cm on my womb and cysts on ovaries. I have a 30 day cycle and i am always on time. My last period was on the 16th of December. I have sore breasts and feel very edgy. Is there any explanation? Usually i get it just before my period.
    Please help!

  16. Anita Quispe on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 7:19 pm

    17. I’m a 42 yeaer old woman. I have been through a mamogram and was found with a lunp in my left breast. I had a biopsy done to determine if the lump was cancerous and thank GOD it wasn’t. The doctor said I do have a small tumor. Does this mean that I can have breast cancer in the future?

  17. jessica on Sun, 24th Jan 2010 10:26 pm

    18. Hi. I’m 18 years old and i am having severe tenderness in my nipples. I know im not pregnant, I’m on birth control and my period doesnt start for a couple of weeks. I have no idea what could be the cause. It could be that there is too much water in the breast tissue, but my breasts have been tender for a few months now. I researched online and Paget’s Disease came up. I have never heard of it before this. What are the chances that I have this Disease or another form of Breast Cancer?

  18. chez on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 1:38 pm

    19. Hi, I’m 26 was on mini pill for 9 months, which stopped my periods completely, come off it about 8-10 weeks ago, had a very very light period about 2 weeks ago, before that I started with very, very sore, tender and itchy breasts, at first I thought it was because i hadn’t had period for so long, however, they hven’t stopped being sore. I feel like crying most of the time, they are so sore. I have vomitted a few times, and don’t seem to manage to drink alcohol without feeling very sick. I sometimes have a metal taste in my mouth too. I did test before last period but was negative, but have heard you can stil have periods whilst pregnant. Could I be pregnant? If not what else could be causing such sore breasts?

  19. gigi on Thu, 4th Feb 2010 7:40 pm

    20. I am 55 yrs. old and have been thru menopause for about a year now. When I did have a period I would experience painful breasts and nipples. That has been over with for a long time. There is about a week now my nipples are so sore I can not even wear a bra comfortably, as the nipples are very tender.
    I hesitate to go to the doctor if it is nothing to worry about.
    any suggestions or input that might help me?

  20. Jackie on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 3:38 pm

    21. Hi, I am 20 years old and woke up last night in horrible pain in my left boob, I have been cramping tho! I dont think I am pregnant because I have the IUD, is there anything I should be worried about?

  21. Cathy on Thu, 11th Feb 2010 7:33 pm

    22. I have had the most horrible pain in my right nipple for the past two weeks. I also feel pain in my right armpit. I haven’t noticed any discharge by feel like my nipple is stuck to my bra. This pain seems to be centered in the right nipple and underarm. The left nipple nothing. Is this something I should be concerned about?
    I had a procedure called Novasure done about 6 or 7 years ago….no periods since……

  22. Jillian on Sat, 13th Feb 2010 1:10 am

    23. Hi everyone, I am 21 years old and suffer from sore and swollen boobs for a full week before getting my period. They get so sore that its hard to walk without them hurting. Even my shirts will hurt my nipples they are so sore and sensitive. In the past I have found that the best way to treat it is a really pure and healthy diet. Try sticking to organic, wholesome, and pure foods, and stay away from dairy, sugar, and processed foods. This is SO hard for me because my favorite thing to do is eat icecream and sweets. But when I do stick to this healthy lifestyle, the pain and tenderness is like night and day. My boobs almost hardly hurt. I also gain like 10 pounds from water retention in about a week. ITS INSANE! From what Iv learned, theres nothing to be worried about, its all natural, its just up to you to control it. I used to get worried about being pregnant, and my period is VERY irregular so I was always unsure as to when I was going to get it. I started tracking my periods by recording the days I got it on my phone. I wouldnt jump to the pregnant conclusion solely based on these symptoms. Especially if theyre happening BEFORE your expected period. Pregnancy symptoms dont start until 2 weeks AFTER your expected period. Goodluck! hope this helps :)

  23. Jillian on Sat, 13th Feb 2010 1:19 am

    24. Oh.. I also did try birth control because thats what my gyno said would help with the severe PMS. And honesty… it didnt do shit, it just made it worse. My boobs got bigger, and I gained weight, and broke out. When I went off it after 3 months, all these things went away in about 3 days.

  24. morgan on Tue, 16th Feb 2010 12:25 am

    25. ok so i am 17 years young i have crohns disease. my breast have been so sore that it hurts to walk up &down stairs or even walking period. i also have had my period for 4 weeks almost but i take seasonique so i shouldnt have it for another month or so.. i am very confussed &scared to say somthing to my mom who i have been arguing for months now.. its hard i dont know if its stress, pregnancy or even misscarriage i honestly think i just had one because of bleeding &major cramping i just dont know whar to do because i dont have health insurance as well for they keep turing me down! &im just very worride because i have teken a preg test even 5 weeks after me and my bf had sex but its always neg. &i have the symptoms just not throwing up because it hurts so i try not because of crohns &other illnesses.. what shall i do?

  25. morgan on Tue, 16th Feb 2010 12:33 am

    26. i keep a constant headache, cramps, swollen feet as well as anckles, i eat everything til im not hungry anymore whichlike NEVER and i have gained so much weight &my crohns have seemed to be worse for the past months.. could i be preg?

  26. Stephanie on Fri, 19th Feb 2010 10:29 pm

    27. I too, have found out that I had a molar pregnancy (there was no fetus, only tissue that if left too long or grows too large can act as a cancer or invasive mole, which can then spread to the lungs) . This was in June of 2009. My levels were higher than those for most cases. I was refered to oncologists. Well, after lots of worrying, my levels returned to normal. Now I am just waiting for my required pregnancy-free year to be up before trying again. 3 1/2 months… now all of a sudden I am having sore breasts and nipples. I am wondering if this is normal, or cause for more concern. Any answers are greatly appreciated.

  27. shona on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 3:35 pm

    28. I’ve had sore breasts for 8 weeks now i’ve had my normal monthy period .and done pregnancy tests which came up negitive. do you have any ideas why my breasts are sore and tender

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