patient report to a clinic with complaints of breast tenderness few merkley's

What are the symptoms of breast pain?

Breast pain 1 Overview. Breast pain (mastalgia) can be described as tenderness, throbbing, sharp, stabbing, burning pain or tightness in the breast tissue. 2 Symptoms. Breast pain can be cyclic or noncyclic. ... 3 Causes. Changing hormone levels can cause changes in the milk ducts or milk glands. ... 4 Risk factors. ... 5 Prevention. ...

When should I see a doctor about breast pain?

When to see a doctor. Make an appointment with your doctor if breast pain: Continues daily for more than a couple of weeks. Occurs in one specific area of your breast. Seems to be getting worse over time. Interferes with daily activities.

Why do my breasts hurt after a mastectomy?

In transgender men, breast pain may be caused by the minimal amount of breast tissue that may remain after a mastectomy. Most times, breast pain signals a noncancerous (benign) breast condition and rarely indicates breast cancer.

What can I do about cyclical breast pain?

Topical NSAIDs have been shown to help relieve the pain of cyclical breast pain. Consider your medication. The contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may make cyclical breast pain worse. Other medicines may also worsen cyclical breast pain - for example, some antidepressants and some blood pressure medicines.

When should you report a sore breast?

If pain persists more than two months, medical attention is indicated. Other breast pains are more focal and persistent. If the pain is aggravated by movement, it is probably of musculoskeletal origin and treatment with over-the-counter analgesics is indicated.

What contributes to breast tenderness?

A woman's menstrual cycle causes hormone fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones can cause a woman's breasts to feel swollen, lumpy, and sometimes painful. Women sometimes report that this pain gets worse as they get older due to increased sensitivity to hormones as a woman ages.

Which is the most common breast complaint?

The 3 most common breast complaints are breast lumps, breast pain, and nipple discharge. 1–3 Although most of these concerns prove to be due to a benign cause, the greatest fear among patients is the diagnosis of breast cancer.

What is the solution of breast tenderness?

Use hot or cold compresses on your breasts. Wear a firm support bra, fitted by a professional if possible. Wear a sports bra during exercise, especially when your breasts may be more sensitive. Experiment with relaxation therapy, which can help control the high levels of anxiety associated with severe breast pain.

What are the symptoms of breast pain?

Symptoms of breast painThe pain comes cyclically, just like the menstrual cycle.The breasts may become tender.Patients describe the pain like a heavy, dull ache. ... The breasts may swell.The breasts may become lumpy (not with a single, hard lump).More items...

What are common breast problems?

Breast problems, such as breast lumps, breast pain or tenderness, nipple discharge or inversion, and changes in the skin of the breast, are common in women of all ages, from adolescents to older women. While it can be frightening to discover a new breast problem, most breast problems are not caused by breast cancer.

How do you evaluate breast pain?

Focal breast pain should be evaluated with diagnostic imaging. Targeted ultrasonography localized to discrete areas of the breast can be used alone to evaluate focal breast pain in women younger than 30 years, and as an adjunct to mammography in women 30 years and older.

How do you diagnose breast problems?

Breast MRIBreast exam. Your doctor will check both of your breasts and lymph nodes in your armpit, feeling for any lumps or other abnormalities.Mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. ... Breast ultrasound. ... Removing a sample of breast cells for testing (biopsy). ... Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

What causes a dull, constant aching and tenderness in the breasts?

It may occur when estrogen and progesterone influence the glandular structure of breast parenchyma, 3 with resultant slight enlargement of the premenstrual breasts. Discomfort is most frequently reported in the outer quadrants of both breasts and is described as a dull, constant aching and tenderness with palpation.

How many women wear improperly fitted bras?

Misconceptions about bra fitting and sizing are pervasive, and many women lack basic bra knowledge. In fact, up to 70% of women wear improperly fitted bras. 3 Bra variables include comfort, the bra’s ability to stay in place, discreetness, appearance under clothing, and support and breast lift.

Is breast cancer a sign of breast cancer?

The history and breast exam provide reassuring findings. Mastalgia is rarely a sign of breast cancer; fewer than 1% of breast cancers present as pain alone. 1 However, like many women with breast pain, SM worries about the possibility of breast cancer, especially because her mother had the disease 3 years ago.

Does SM wear sports bras?

SM has worn underwire bras for years and occasionally wears a sports bra for workouts. She reports that sometimes wearing a bra helps with the pain. She says that one night she took over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen 400 mg and slept well, so she thinks that it helped ease the pain.

Does caffeine help with mastalgia?

The NP explains that caffeine elimination has shown only limited benefit in this regard. Likewise, no vitamin deficiency has been related to breast pain, and vitamin supplementation has not been shown to relieve mastalgia. 10 However, iodine, with its antioxidant properties, may be effective. A small study showed that iodine 3,000-6,000 mcg daily ...

Does a woman's left breast hurt before menses?

She says that the pain in her left breast does not necessarily worsen prior to menses. However, a few times a year, she reports experiencing premenstrual tenderness in both breasts. She has not noticed nipple discharge or retraction, dimpling, skin color change, nodularity, or a mass.

Does SM have a history of asthma?

SM’s health history includes only childhood asthma; she reports no surgeries, including no breast biopsies or even breast imaging. SM does not use any medications, herbal preparations, or dietary products on a regular basis. She reports no known injury to her breasts or chest area prior to pain onset.

What is the pain in the breast called?

Breast pain (mastalgia) can be described as tenderness, throbbing, sharp, stabbing, burning pain or tightness in the breast tissue. The pain may be constant or it may occur only occasionally, and it can occur in men, women and transgender people.

How to stop breast pain from getting worse?

The following steps may help prevent the causes of breast pain, although more research is needed to determine their effectiveness. Avoid hormone therapy if possible. Avoid medications that are known to cause breast pain or make it worse. Wear a properly fitted bra, and wear a sports bra during exercise.

What does extramammary pain feel like?

The term "extramammary" means "outside the breast.". Extramammary breast pain feels like it starts in the breast tissue, but its source is actually outside the breast area. Pulling a muscle in the chest, for example, can cause pain in the chest wall or rib cage that spreads (radiates) to the breast.

What does it mean when your breasts are swollen?

Described as dull, heavy or aching. Often accompanied by breast swelling, fullness or lumpiness. Usually affects both breasts, particularly the upper, outer portions, and can radiate to the underarm. Intensifies during the two weeks leading up to the start of the menstrual period, then eases up afterward.

Why does my breast hurt after menopause?

Breast tenderness is a possible side effect of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapies that are used after menopause. Breast pain may be associated with certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants.

Why do my breasts hurt every month?

Throughout the month, not related to a menstrual cycle. In men, breast pain is most commonly caused by a condition called "gyne comastia" (guy-nuh-koh-MAS-tee-uh).

Can birth control cause breast pain?

Certain hormonal medications, including some infertility treatments and oral birth control pills, may be associated with breast pain. Breast tenderness is a possible side effect of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapies that are used after menopause.

What is breast pain?

Breast pain is usually classed as either: Cyclical breast pain - where the pain is related to periods. Typically, it occurs in the second half of the monthly cycle, becoming worse in the days just before a period; or. Non-cyclical breast pain - where the pain is not related to periods.

When does a cyclical breast hurt?

Cyclical breast pain. Cyclical breast pain is very common. It can first occur at any age after periods start but most commonly first develops between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It does not occur in women past the menopause when the periods have stopped.

How long does breast pain last before period?

Indeed, it can be considered normal to have some breast discomfort for a few days before a period. However, in some women the pain can be severe and/or last longer. The 3-5 days prior to a period are usually the worst. In a few women, the pain lasts up to two weeks before a period.

How long does it take for a cyclical breast to go away?

The problem may settle by itself within 3-6 months. Studies have shown that cyclical breast pain goes away within three months in about 3 in 10 cases.

Why do I have a rash on my breast?

Infection (mastitis) is a cause in a small number of cases. Shingles may cause pain before a rash develops. Breast tumours, cancer and lumps are a very uncommon cause of breast pain. Fluid-filled lumps (cysts) are sometimes painful.

Why do my breasts hurt when I breastfeed?

A common cause is a condition called costochondritis where the joints of the chest wall become inflamed. Pregnancy causes breasts to swell and be tender, particularly in the first few weeks. Breastfeeding may also cause breast pain. Infection (mastitis) is a cause in a small number of cases.

Where does the pain go after a period?

Typically, the pain affects both breasts. It is usually worst in the upper and outer part of the breast and may travel to the inner part of the upper arm. Your breasts may also feel more swollen and lumpy than usual.