Why do breasts hurt before menstruation? Causes of female breast pain before menstruation

Slight pain and discomfort on critical days is normal. However, with severe pain, changes in the shape of the breast, the appearance of discharge from the nipple, you should be wary.

Painful sensitivity and heaviness in the mammary glands are noted by many women a week or two before the onset of menstruation. Such chest pain is called mastodynia (or mastalgia) and is referred to as a manifestation of premenstrual syndrome. Mild discomfort during this period is normal. It is worth alerting with a strong severity of sensations, their appearance on time or after critical days.

The causes of chest pain of a cyclical nature are associated with monthly fluctuations in hormones in a woman's body. Sensations affect both mammary glands, are strongest in their upper part and nipples, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness. The irregularity of mastalgia, discomfort in only one of the breasts, warns of the presence of non-hormonal diseases.

Causes of cyclic mastalgia

The main reasons are as follows.

Premenstrual syndrome

Mastodynia can be either the only manifestation of the syndrome or be accompanied by its other symptoms: headache, nausea, pressure surges, heart rhythm disturbances, edema, and increased emotionality.

Taking hormonal drugs

Contraceptives or hormonal therapy during the period of adaptation to the drug (the first 2-3 months) increase the severity of the pain symptom until the body gets used to producing less of its own hormones.

breast dysplasia

Cyclic pain warns of the onset of mastopathy, when it is still in the diffuse stage, and may disappear with the further development of the disease. It is almost indistinguishable from the natural sensations that occur during the menstrual cycle and can only be diagnosed at a doctor's appointment.

Irregular pain in this area is associated with non-hormonal changes in the body and warns of the development of liposclerosis, reactive sclerosis of the connective tissue of the breast, adenoma, fibroadenoma, or cancer. It is localized in one of the breasts, but in the case of a diffuse nature, it can also affect the axillary zones. Sometimes muscle pain radiating to the chest is mistaken for mastalgia.

Hormonal changes

The formation and development of the mammary glands begins from the moment puberty begins and ends closer to the age of 21. But their tissues continue to change throughout the childbearing years under the influence of hormonal levels. The level of hormones is different during pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or menstruation, its fluctuations stop only after menopause.

In the middle of the menstrual cycle, when the mature egg enters the fallopian tube, the body begins to prepare for fertilization and pregnancy. The ducts of the mammary glands grow, blood rushes to them, squeezing the nerve endings and increasing the sensitivity of the breast.

An increase in progesterone levels in the second half of the monthly cycle increases the amount of glandular tissue. The discomfort caused by squeezing intensifies and becomes tighter. Edema that occurs during the premenstrual period also contributes to this.

At a young age, when the susceptibility of receptors is stronger and the growth of the mammary glands continues, pain before menstruation appears more often. In the future, the sensations become less pronounced - depending on the individual characteristics, only a feeling of heaviness and short-term itching due to skin tension may remain. The older the woman, the greater the likelihood of one of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. If discomfort in the days preceding menstruation causes significant inconvenience and interferes with the usual way of life, then medical assistance is required.

Pain during menstruation

When fertilization of the egg does not occur, then with the onset of menstruation, the reverse process begins. The puffiness formed during the previous cycle subsides, the ducts of the mammary glands and cells of the glandular tissue die off, and all traces of discomfort disappear in 1–2 days. If it persists throughout menstruation, then pain is probably caused by the following reasons:

gynecological diseases;
hormonal imbalance, when the production of progesterone did not stop during;
pregnancy, and the presence of pain indicates the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy.

In any case, such a symptom requires a medical examination. You should not delay a visit to a mammologist or gynecologist, sometimes even a delay of 1-2 cycles is critical.

Pain after menstruation

In women in adulthood, the established hormonal background ensures the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Observed chest pain after the end of menstruation can signal inflammation or even neoplasms.

hormonal failure, including those caused by taking hormonal or sedative drugs;
the onset of pregnancy, especially ectopic;
mastopathy;
muscle and bone diseases;
less often - oncological diseases.

Particular attention to the appearance of such a symptom should be shown by women with an irregular monthly cycle. First of all, they need to exclude the possibility of pregnancy by conducting a test or donating blood for hCG.

Inflammatory processes in the chest area, sclerotic changes in the tissues of this part of the body or a large physical load on the muscles of the chest cause sensations that are transmitted to the mammary glands. Their burning, cutting nature, coupled with reddening of the skin and discharge from the nipples, speaks of mastitis or an infectious process. Myalgia, which occurs after muscle damage, leads to constant pulling pains, aggravated by pressure.

The regularity of pain in both mammary glands, slight discharge from the nipples are signs of mastopathy. It develops against the background of hormonal imbalance, when the required decrease in the level of progesterone does not occur, and the milk ducts formed during the previous cycle do not atrophy. In their place, scattered cysts appear. Timely access to a doctor helps to fight the disease. Otherwise, the disturbing sensations stop by themselves or significantly decrease when the diffuse fibrocystic form of mastopathy passes into the nodular form.

Nodular mastopathy at any time can degenerate into a cancerous disease. The pain symptom is not specific for oncological lesions of the breast. If it occurs, then it is tied to one of the mammary glands. Feelings in this case are irregular in nature, they can become aggravated and fade without connection with the monthly cycle. There is no swelling of the breast and an increase in its sensitivity.

Nevertheless, one cannot console oneself with the fact that the presence of pain is definitely not cancer. Breast self-examination should be routine for any woman of childbearing age. Prevention of cancer at an early stage:

a hard, painless lump in the breast or armpit that has jagged edges;
a change in the shape of the breast or skin (flattened depressions appear on the chest, the skin wrinkles, the nipple retracts);
discharge from the nipple.

Diagnostics and therapy

Monthly changes in a woman's well-being do not always disrupt her quality of life so much that she rushes to the doctor's office. But this is exactly what needs to be done in the first place, when there are pronounced unpleasant sensations in the mammary glands. The line between the norm and pathology in such a situation is very thin, and there is no way to independently determine what causes concern: ordinary hormonal fluctuations or a nascent cyst.

The examination begins with palpation of the glands and the surrounding area. It is recommended to carry out in the first days after the end of menstruation. Further diagnostics is based on the results of the survey, which includes:

Blood test for hormones (estrogens, progesterone and testosterone).
Blood test for tumor markers.
Mammography (X-ray examination of the gland in special projections) for women over 40 years old.
Breast ultrasound (in the second half of the cycle) in women under 40 and as an adjunct to mammography.
Various types of tissue biopsy for suspected tumor processes.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland and genital organs - if necessary, to clarify the diagnosis.

Acyclic pains require a complete examination and clarification of the pathology that causes them. Having accurately established their cause, they begin therapy for the underlying disease. Tumors and cysts require surgery, and sometimes additional radiation therapy, chemotherapy. In some cases, small benign neoplasms are treated with medication.

If the disturbing symptom is associated with premenstrual syndrome, then a complex treatment is carried out that combines drug therapy, diet and lifestyle changes. It is aimed at normalizing the hormonal background, eliminating the resulting edema and pain relief. Hormonal drugs (which also have a contraceptive effect) may be prescribed to suppress the production of prolactin. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ketanol, nurofen, indomethacin) or herbal medicines (mastadinone, cyclodinone) are used. Phytotherapy is carried out with anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory herbs, sometimes - vitamin therapy and immunocorrection.

Reducing the severity of chest pain is achieved by eliminating external stimuli - using looser bras to protect yourself from excessive squeezing of the organ. Correction of nutrition is also necessary to relieve puffiness: fatty, spicy and sour foods, dairy products, coffee, alcohol should be absent in the diet of the second half of the monthly cycle. An active lifestyle is recommended, but too much physical activity a few days before the onset of menstruation can increase the manifestations of the syndrome.

Treatment of premenstrual syndrome takes from several months to a year. Usually, during the year, three-month courses of therapy are alternated with its cancellation for 2-3 months in order to evaluate the effectiveness.

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The breast is that part of the female body that undergoes continuous changes. Manifesting in girls at the age of 8-9, it completes its formation by the age of 15 and is one of the most sensitive "barometers" that react to any changes in the state of the body.

Of course, the cycles characteristic of female physiology (menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding) strongly affect her condition. Estrogen, progesterone, prolactin and other specific hormones that support the hormonal background of a woman are concentrated in the excretory ducts and tissues of the mammary glands, and therefore a change in their balance can lead to pain, itching and other discomfort in the chest.

When does sensitivity increase?

Painful sensations in the chest, which are accompanied by some intervals of the menstrual cycle, are practically the norm for most women. According to statistics, chest pain before menstruation is observed in 60% of women in the world.

The sensitivity of the mammary glands is aggravated in the second stage of the cycle and can last about a week. The pain disappears 2-3 days before menstruation. Usually, minor pain and engorgement of the nipples occurs before ovulation, the sensitivity often persists after it. The chest may thicken a little, swell when blood rushes to the mammary glands.

Why does the chest hurt before menstruation, even if more than a week is left before the start of the discharge? The time when the breast begins to engorge signals the onset of ovulation.

The female body prepares for conception by releasing an egg ready to merge with the sperm “into the world”. Conception is a normal and logical process, and therefore the body begins to prepare for the formation and growth of the embryo, which is reflected in the chest. After all, she is directly involved in feeding the baby, and over the long nine months she will change even more.

That is, for a woman of childbearing age, there is nothing unnatural in the fact that some time before menstruation her breasts begin to hurt - on the contrary, this means that the natural mechanism for triggering the lactation process is triggered.

hypersensitivity and cycle

If, after ovulation and the death of the released egg, conception does not occur, the glandular tissue formed due to the “false alarm” gradually begins to atrophy, and after the end of the cycle, all sensations all the more disappear.

In this case, why does the chest hurt before menstruation when conception has not occurred? The very process of removing glandular tissues can be quite painful, but it does not represent anything dangerous.

Polyferation, as the process of formation of new breast tissue is also called, as well as the subsequent death of this tissue within one cycle, is a normal, constant phenomenon in any woman capable of conceiving and giving birth to children.

You should also know that breast pain is not the same for everyone, for some it manifests itself more, for others it is less, or even goes unnoticed. Heredity, the presence of diseases, the general condition of the body, and, of course, breast size answer the question of why the chest hurts before menstruation in different ways.

The phenomenon of soreness of the breast is called mastodynia, which, unlike the well-known mastopathy, is not considered a pathology and is recognized as the norm.

anxiety symptom

It also happens that the soreness of the chest does not go away even before menstruation, the woman continues to suffer from pain the day before and on the day the discharge begins. In this case, the nature of the pain should be recorded.

If they are weak enough and do not recur during the next cycle - the point is minor deviations in the hormonal balance, you should not worry about them.

But if the pain is quite pronounced, it is constantly present, and not only when pressing on the chest, this may be a signal that there is some kind of disease in the body. The circumstances worsen if the pain is accompanied by engorgement of the nipples, the formation of seals in the chest.

In this case, only a gynecologist can give competent advice about the state of health. You may also need to visit an endocrinologist and a mammologist.

The pain sensations described can be the result of a hormonal disorder, interruptions in the functioning of the ovaries, the presence of inflammation or infection, or cancer. Therefore, it is better not to postpone a visit to the doctor, because only the timely detection of deviations can increase the chances of successful treatment.

It is difficult to find a woman who has never experienced pain in the mammary glands. In most cases, these pains are physiological, that is, associated with normal biological processes in the body, such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and lactation.

However, in some cases, soreness of the mammary glands is one of the manifestations of their disease. Most often pathological pain noted in diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, mastitis and breast cancer. In more rare cases, pain can be caused by Mondor's disease, hematomas, herpes Zoster, etc. In addition, chest pain in diseases of the spine and heart can mimic pain in the mammary glands. Some mental disorders, such as cancerophobia, can cause functional pain in the breast area. These important points must be taken into account when conducting differential diagnosis.

Due to the high incidence of breast cancer, it is extremely important to diagnose the cause of pain as early as possible and start targeted treatment.

Anatomy of the mammary glands

Knowledge of the anatomy of the mammary glands is necessary for a detailed understanding of the various causes of pain that occurs with certain diseases of both the gland itself and the anatomical structures surrounding it.

Anatomical structure of the mammary glands

The mammary gland is a paired anatomical formation located on the anterior surface of the chest and pectoralis major muscles. It is located in the space between the parasternal and anterior axillary lines. The upper border of the mammary glands is located at the level of the 3rd rib, and the lower border is at the level of the 6th - 7th rib. With age, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the boundaries of the mammary glands can shift, and this process is considered physiological. Approximately in the center of each mammary gland is the nipple with the surrounding areola. Both the nipples and areolas are pigmented. Their size and degree of pigmentation may change during pregnancy.

Anatomically, the mammary gland consists of three parts - glandular, fatty and connective tissue. The glandular part of the mammary gland is directly adjacent to the anterior chest wall. It consists of 15 - 20 lobes, each of which, in turn, consists of several small lobules. Each lobule opens into the milk duct. Thus, at least one milk duct departs from each lobe of the mammary gland. Subsequently, some of them are combined into larger ducts that fit the nipple. In the space behind the nipple, the lactiferous ducts expand, forming the lactiferous sinus, after which they narrow at the point of passage through the nipple and then expand again, forming from 8 to 15 funnel-shaped lactiferous openings. Through such a system of ducts, milk is formed in the mammary glands and flows out. When conducting special studies in some patients, it is sometimes possible to detect additional mammary glands.

The fatty part of the mammary gland covers the outside of its glandular part. From an evolutionary point of view, adipose tissue is designed to protect the glandular part of the mammary glands from adverse effects ( bruises, concussions, frostbite, overheating, etc.) that can affect the process of feeding offspring.

The connective tissue part of the mammary glands is represented by numerous partitions that separate their lobes and lobules. As a result, these partitions create the frame of the mammary glands, which determines their shape and size. The process of formation of this framework is controlled by complex genetic mechanisms. In addition to numerous fascia and septa, the connective tissue of the mammary glands includes ligaments that support the mammary glands. The aforementioned ligaments are attached to the thoracic fascia and collarbone. From the side of the gland, these ligaments expand, and their fibers pass into its connective tissue frame.

Externally, the mammary gland is covered with stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. On the surface of the areola, small tubercles are sometimes visible, which are rudimentary mammary glands that open with small single ducts. In addition, large hair follicles, as well as sebaceous and sweat glands, are often located along the perimeter of the areola.

Blood supply, innervation and lymphatic system of the mammary glands

Evolutionarily, the mammary gland is supplied with blood from several arterial basins independent of each other. This feature allows the gland to function freely if the blood supply in several of the arteries has deteriorated for certain reasons.

The blood supply to the mammary glands is carried out through the following arteries:

milk branches of the 3rd - 7th posterior intercostal arteries;
milk branches of the 3rd - 5th perforating branches extending from the internal mammary artery;
lateral mammary branches of the lateral mammary artery ( branch of the axillary artery).

Venous blood flows through the system of deep and superficial veins. The deep veins accompany the above arteries, while the superficial veins form a tightly intertwined network.

Sensory innervation is carried out by intercostal nerves ( ThII-th IV), as well as supraclavicular nerves from the cervical plexus. Sympathetic innervation is carried out from several sources, and the nerve fibers accompany the above arteries and, together with them, enter the gland.

The lymphatic system of the mammary glands consists of networks of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. There are three lymphatic networks of the breast. The capillary lymphatic network is located most superficially. It is localized in the skin of the mammary glands and in the subcutaneous adipose tissue, called premammary tissue in this area. Somewhat deeper, on the surface of the glandular part of the mammary glands, there is a superficial intraorgan network of lymphatic vessels. The deep lymphatic network is located in the thickness of the gland and originates from the lobular ducts. All of the above networks are interconnected. In addition, special mention should be made of the superficial lymphatic plexus of the areola ( areola). This plexus also connects to the aforementioned lymphatic networks.

The outflow of lymph occurs in the direction from the surface of the gland to the chest wall. The largest lymphatic vessels accompany the large arteries, so the main part of the lymph flows to the armpits and only a small part of it to the intrathoracic lymph nodes.

The lymphatic vessels ultimately carry the lymph into the venous system, but before entering it, the lymph is filtered and purified in the lymph nodes. The main accumulation of lymph nodes that cleanse the lymph of the mammary glands is located in the armpits. In each armpit, there are about 20 - 40 nodes, which are organized into five groups - thoracic, central, subscapular, humeral and apical. First of all, the lymph of the mammary glands passes through the thoracic lymph nodes, called Zorgius nodes. These lymph nodes are the first to increase in malignant neoplasms of the mammary glands, so their detection should serve as a signal for urgent medical attention. However, when these nodes are found, one should not panic, since their increase is not always the result of a malignant process. It can be observed in inflammatory processes, some autoimmune diseases, etc. Sometimes these nodes are confused with benign tumors ( fibromas, lipomas, etc.). Unfortunately, there are also cases when breast cancer develops without the reaction of the lymph nodes of the axillary region ( internal localization, immunodeficiency states, etc.).

Pain in the mammary glands before menstruation

Pain in the mammary glands preceding menstruation occurs in almost every second woman. However, the intensity of the pain syndrome is usually not so great as to seek medical help. However, sometimes pain becomes an obstacle to a normal life. This problem becomes especially significant if severe pain is repeated monthly.

Causes of pain in the mammary glands before menstruation

Soreness of the mammary glands 5-8 days before the onset of menstruation is a normal physiological process. However, there are some diseases that lead to increased pain data. One of them is fibrocystic mastopathy - a condition characterized by hormonal imbalance, as a result of which structural changes occur in the mammary glands.

There are two forms of fibrocystic mastopathy - diffuse and nodular. As a rule, a diffuse form first appears, when small, millet-sized, painful seals appear in the tissues of the mammary glands. The cause of these seals is an imbalance between sex hormones. In most cases, there is a predominance of estrogens against the background of insufficient secretion of progesterone in the second phase of the ovulatory-menstrual cycle. In this case, the epithelium of the acini, ducts and connective tissue of the mammary glands grows. Due to the fact that the connective tissue frame and the skin over the mammary gland retain their size, the growth of gland tissues leads to an increase in stress in it. An increase in tension entails irritation of the nerve endings, manifested by severe pain.

The nodular form of fibrocystic mastopathy develops against the background of a diffuse form, when small seals increase, forming larger nodes. These nodes can reach sizes up to several centimeters in diameter. The area of their predominant localization is the upper-outer quadrant of the mammary gland.

The mechanism of pain in the mammary glands before menstruation

Pain in fibrocystic mastopathy is caused by swelling of the glandular and connective tissue parts of the mammary gland, while the surrounding tissue and skin do not increase significantly. As a result, the gland becomes tense to the touch. The nerve endings located in its thickness are compressed, causing pain. Touching the mammary glands leads to an additional increase in pressure in them and to a sharp increase in pain.

The immediate cause of the increase in the volume of the gland is the excessive action of estrogens. As a rule, the increase in the influence of estrogens is relative, that is, it develops against the background of reduced progesterone production. A decrease in progesterone production can be observed with certain diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, with diseases of the kidneys, liver, after taking certain medications ( derivatives of phenothiazine, rauwolfia, meprobamate, combined oral contraceptives, etc.). It is also believed that a decrease in the function of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone, is noted with a long absence of pregnancies, a large number of abortions, alcohol abuse and smoking. The strength of the pains described above is somewhat higher in people with a parasympathetic type of autonomic nervous system. It is these patients who may experience increased pain with negative emotions and even with changes in the weather.

Is it necessary to treat pain in the mammary glands before menstruation?

As a rule, the usual pains before menstruation do not limit the daily activities of women and do not need treatment. However, if the pain is unbearable and lasts more than 6-8 days a month, then you should contact a gynecologist or mammologist to study the hormonal background and the structure of the mammary glands. Depending on the diagnosed cause, the treatment is selected.

If the cause is a tumor formation of the pituitary or hypothalamus, then neurosurgical intervention is indicated. If the cause is a side effect of certain medications, then they should be discontinued. If the cause remains unidentified, then they resort to correcting the hormonal background by suppressing estrogens and stimulating progesterone receptors with certain medications. In some cases, it is enough to change the lifestyle, aimed at eliminating the factors that provoke a change in the hormonal background. These adjustments include the avoidance of sunburn, the exclusion of physiotherapy ( especially electrical), exclusion of temperature differences ( saunas), quitting smoking and taking alcoholic beverages, proper nutrition, adherence to sleep and wakefulness, minimizing stress, etc.

Due to the fact that some forms of fibrocystic mastopathy increase the likelihood of breast cancer, careful monitoring of their condition is recommended. Thus, each patient should be able to independently palpate her chest for seals, upon detection of which she should seek medical help. You can learn how to properly exercise self-control of the mammary glands in any antenatal clinic.

In addition to self-monitoring of the mammary glands, every woman over the age of 35 is recommended to undergo mammography once every 2 years - an x-ray examination of the duct system of the mammary glands. After age 50, this study should be done annually.

Painful lump in the breast

Painful compaction in the mammary glands is one of the most common reasons for women to visit a mammologist and gynecologist. Differential diagnosis of these mass formations is especially important, since the type of treatment and its effectiveness directly depend on their nature. In particular, it is important to timely diagnose breast cancer, which is the second most common after lung cancer.

Causes of seals in the mammary glands

Painful hardening of the mammary glands may be a sign of:

cancer;
hematomas;
mastitis;
Mondor's disease;
breast cysts, etc.

Pain in breast cancer

Pain in breast cancer at first may be absent or very weak and insignificant. Unfortunately, this leads women to see a specialist only in the later stages of the disease, when treatment options are limited. The cancer usually starts as a small lump that is easily confused with a fibroadenoma ( benign tumor). This seal acquires a characteristic density and inactivity already at 3-4 stages of cancer, and at first it is soft, mobile, sometimes even jelly-like.

As the tumor grows, it spreads to surrounding tissues and metastasizes to regional lymph nodes. In 80% of cases, metastasis occurs in the lymph nodes of the armpit, which can be easily examined by touch. In 20%, metastasis occurs in the intrathoracic lymph nodes, which cannot be palpated. The growth of the tumor on the chest wall is manifested by constant pain. Pain in the mammary gland may be present before it spreads to the chest wall, but they are usually not permanent and are directly related to menstruation. Also, during menstruation, a small amount of orange-red secretion may be released from the nipple. When the tumor spreads to the skin and superficial lymphatic networks, the cancer becomes visible to the naked eye in the form of nipple retraction or orange skin changes ( lemon) crusts ( significantly enlarged skin pores, with swelling of the skin located between them).

Pain in the mammary glands with hematoma

The cause of breast hematoma is usually trauma. The likelihood of its occurrence increases in patients taking anticoagulants ( heparin, warfarin, thrombostop) or suffering from diseases accompanied by a decrease in blood clotting ( hemophilia, cirrhosis of the liver), as well as increased vascular fragility ( beriberi).

Pain in the mammary gland with a hematoma is distinguished by several features. With a favorable course of the healing process, the peak of pain falls on the first days after the formation of a hematoma. Subsequently, the hematoma gradually resolves, and pain decreases. In the first hours after its formation, they have a pulsating character. The pain is rather dull than sharp, but of high intensity. Its localization is clearly determined by the site of injury. When you try to press the pain increases dramatically.

In a certain percentage of cases, the hematoma may suppurate. The likelihood of this complication increases with an increase in the volume of damaged tissues, and also if there are foci of chronic infection in the body ( chronic amygdalitis, cholecystitis, etc.). A festering hematoma becomes an abscess or phlegmon, while the intensity of the pain syndrome increases significantly and acquires other characteristics.

Pain in the mammary glands with an abscess

An abscess is a limited purulent inflammation. Its independent occurrence in the mammary glands is quite rare. Mostly abscesses of the mammary glands are secondary, developing against the background of a hematoma, boil, mastitis, etc. The pain in this disease is quite strong, since the abscess is always tense and puts great pressure on the nerve endings located in its capsule and in the surrounding healthy tissues. The nature of the pain is usually sharp, throbbing. Around the abscess there is always a zone of inflammatory tissue infiltration, often exceeding the size of the abscess itself. The skin over the abscess is tense, shiny, full-blooded and hot to the touch.

In addition to local symptoms, a pronounced syndrome of general intoxication is almost always noted, manifested by remitting fever ( body temperature over 38 degrees with daily fluctuations over 2 degrees), chills, fatigue, pronounced loss of strength, etc.

The opening of the abscess leads to almost instantaneous disappearance of pain and relief of the general condition of the patient. For abscesses of the mammary glands, a tendency to self-opening into the lumen of the milk ducts is characteristic, while pus can be released from the mouths of the ducts. On the one hand, this feature leads to an alleviation of the patient's condition, but on the other hand, it leads to a rapid spread of infection to healthy breast tissues and a chronic process.

Pain in the mammary glands with mastitis

Mastitis is any inflammation of the breast. Unlike an abscess, the main cause of mastitis is the stagnation of the secret of the mammary glands, combined with the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms into the stagnant masses. In the vast majority of cases, mastitis is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The most common way for infection to enter the mammary gland is nipple cracks if a sufficient level of hygiene is not observed.

In connection with the above-mentioned features of the development of mastitis, the frequency of this disease is highest among women who breastfeed their children. Moreover, primiparous women dominate among all women in labor. Somewhat less often, mastitis occurs in pregnant women and much less frequently in other female representatives. Occasionally, there are cases of mastitis in men. In most of them, this pathology develops against the background of trauma, infection of the nipple and areola. In the rest, it is associated with cancer or endocrine diseases leading to galactorrhea ( secretion from the mammary glands, outside the process of feeding a child, i.e. pathological secretion of breast milk). In pediatrics, there is also mastitis in newborns, which develops in the first few days after childbirth. The reason for the development of such mastitis is the excess content in the blood of the child of oxytocin and prolactin, which entered his body through the placenta while still in the womb. This condition usually resolves without treatment as the aforementioned hormones break down.

Pain during mastitis, as a rule, is of high intensity, arching character. The mammary gland or part of it is edematous, red, elastic and hot to the touch. Touching it causes a sharp increase in pain. The superficial venous network clearly shows through the skin. Sometimes, with a large volume of inflamed tissue, a fluctuation phenomenon can be noted ( overflows) pus inside the gland.

Pain in the mammary glands with Mondor's disease / syndrome

Mondor's disease or syndrome is called thrombophlebitis of the veins of the anterior and lateral chest wall. There are many reasons for the development of this condition. Among the main ones are breast cancer, frequent injuries and purulent inflammatory processes. Among the secondary causes, such as complications of past viral infections and previous surgical interventions, genetic predisposition, diseases of the cardiovascular system, etc.

Pain in this syndrome is usually dull, but clearly localized. Palpation in the depth of the mammary gland is determined by a dense painful roller. In severe cases, blockage of the vein and its suppuration occurs. The tissue around it becomes tense, hot to the touch, as in mastitis. At the site of inflammation, the patient may feel some pulsation.

Pain in the mammary glands with fibroadenoma

Fibroadenoma is a benign tumor of the glandular part of the breast. It is most typical for women aged 20 to 40 years, however, these seals are also found at an earlier and later age. The predominant localization is the upper-outer quadrant of the mammary gland. One of the obligatory features of fibroadenoma is an increase in its size and soreness 8-10 days before the onset of menstruation and a sharp disappearance of pain with their onset. However, in patients with irregular menstrual cycles, the time of onset of pain and its intensity may vary depending on the hormonal background. In rare cases, breast fibroadenoma pain is permanent. During the increase in pain, the entire gland thickens, and the fibroadenoma itself becomes extremely sensitive to touch. However, unlike suppurative diseases, external signs of inflammation over fibroadenoma are almost never determined.

Pain with a breast cyst

Breast cyst in most cases is one of the complications of fibrocystic mastopathy. This cavitary formation occurs in many women as a result of numerous cycles of growth and involution of breast tissue during the menstrual cycle throughout life. The origin of a cyst occurs when one of the ducts of the mammary gland is compressed by connective tissue septa that form as part of fibrocystic mastopathy. At the same time, acini ( the smallest structural units of the gland capable of independently forming a secret) continue to work and accumulate fluid in themselves, increasing the pressure in their cavity. Over time, due to periodically increasing pressure, the acinus cavity increases and becomes overgrown with connective tissue.

As a result of the above changes, a cyst is formed with a capsule surrounding it. Since the cyst originated from the acinus and retained the ability to form a secret, it remains hormone-dependent. In other words, it becomes tense and painful just before menstruation. In the postmenopausal period, the cyst may persist, but usually it decreases somewhat in size and does not bother the woman.

Methods for examining breast seals include:

mammography ( radiological);
ultrasound ( ultrasound procedure);
dopplerography of the veins of the chest wall;
scintigraphy;
thermography;
computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging;
histological examination.

Mammography
Mammography almost always means a special X-ray examination of the mammary glands. This method is the gold standard for diagnosing pathologies of this organ and breast cancer in particular. There are other types of mammography, such as tomosynthesis, magnetic resonance mammography, optical mammography, ultrasound mammography, etc.

Despite the high potential of these methods, their use is limited due to high cost or insufficient information content, while X-ray mammography is simple, cheap and informative. The degree of information content of this method has increased significantly after the start of using digital media instead of film ones. The disadvantage of this method is a certain dose of radiation received during the study.

ultrasound
Ultrasound examination of the mammary glands is often practiced to determine the nature of its seals. It is especially useful in the diagnosis of cysts. The undeniable advantage is the relatively high availability and absolute harmlessness. In connection with these features, this study can be safely prescribed to pregnant and lactating women. In addition, this study is often used to pinpoint suspicious tissue during a biopsy ( taking tissue for analysis).

Dopplerography of the veins of the chest wall
Dopplerography of the veins of the chest wall can rarely be used to diagnose pathologies of the mammary glands, since in most cases their nature is not associated with damage to large blood vessels. However, in a pathology such as Mondor's disease/syndrome, this study allows you to determine the area of \u200b\u200bblocked and inflamed vein, causing inflammatory changes and soreness.

Scintigraphy
Scintigraphy is used to diagnose malignant tumors of the mammary glands and their metastases. The principle of the method is to introduce a certain radiopharmaceutical into the patient's bloodstream, which has an affinity for the tissues of a malignant tumor. As a result, after a short period of time, the radiopharmaceutical concentrates in the tumor tissues and emits waves of a certain spectrum. With the help of highly sensitive equipment, this radiation is recorded and a projection of the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical in the body appears on the screen of the device. The accumulation of a radiopharmaceutical in one focus indicates in favor of a malignant tumor. The detection of several foci is a sign that the tumor has metastasized to the organs and tissues of the patient's body.

thermography
Thermography is one of the studies that is steadily gaining popularity in the diagnosis of breast pathologies. In particular, this method is used in the detection of malignant neoplasms and inflammatory processes of the mammary gland. During the study, special sensors capture infrared radiation from every square centimeter of the patient's skin. The sensitivity of the sensor is such that it distinguishes temperature fluctuations of 0.06 degrees. Subsequently, the computer transforms the received information into visible colors of the spectrum and displays it on the screen. As a result, the human body appears as a multi-colored silhouette, in which the hottest areas are represented by red and yellow hues, and the coldest areas are blue and green.

Tissue temperature directly depends on the degree of its vascularization ( number of blood vessels per unit volume of tissue) and intensity of blood flow. Inflammatory processes are distinguished by increased blood flow, while increased vascularization ( growth of new blood vessels) is found in malignant tumors. Also, this study allows, in addition to primary tumors, to detect their metastases.

CT ( CT scan) and MRI ( Magnetic resonance imaging)
These methods can be used to determine the exact size of the tumor, its density, structure, relationship with surrounding tissues, as well as to determine the status of regional lymph nodes. Among these methods, the advantage is given to MRI, since it better displays the soft tissues of the mammary glands. In addition, MRI does not imply radiation exposure of the patient, which is important if there is even the slightest suspicion of pregnancy. If for various reasons it is not possible to undergo an MRI, then CT can provide fairly accurate information about the condition of the mammary glands, but it should be remembered that this method is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Both one and the other method can be used with intravenous administration of a contrast agent. With its use, the chance of diagnosing malignant tumors, which, as you know, are abundantly supplied with blood, increases significantly. However, along with this, there is a risk of side effects due to the introduction of a contrast agent ( acute renal failure, allergic reactions, etc.).

Histological examination
Histological examination is the only method by which a final diagnosis is made regarding the nature of compaction in the mammary glands. Typically, a biopsy piece of tissue to be examined) is taken with a long hollow needle. This study is carried out under the control of ultrasound and under mandatory anesthesia. In the future, the resulting tissue is studied under a microscope, after creating several dozen histological preparations from it, treated with various dyes and reagents. Depending on the degree of cellular atypia ( anomalies) confirms or refutes the diagnosis of malignancy. Its histological type is also indicated, based on which one can judge the prognosis of the disease and choose the most effective method of its treatment.

In addition to instrumental studies, laboratory tests can provide some useful information.

Laboratory tests used to diagnose breast lumps include:

tumor markers, etc.

General blood analysis
A general blood test, as you know, is a "mirror" of the body, reflecting the processes occurring in it. Based on the results of this analysis, it is almost never possible to accurately establish the diagnosis, but in many ways it helps the doctor choose the direction in which to continue his search.

In particular, in inflammatory diseases of the mammary glands, the concentration of leukocytes is most likely to be increased, especially the fraction of stab neutrophils. Also, with an inflammatory disease, an increase in ESR should be expected ( erythrocyte sedimentation rate) .

Depending on the severity, cancerophobia is treated by a psychologist or psychiatrist. In simple cases, patients get rid of obsessive ideas after they examine their body in as much detail as possible with the maximum number of methods, consult a large number of medical luminaries and receive a conclusion that there is no malignant neoplasm. Unfortunately, such cases are rare. Usually the fear of cancer is so deep in the mind of the patient that it changes his personality. In such cases, the intervention of a psychiatrist is required. The method of choice in the treatment of this disorder is psychoanalysis, which takes from several weeks to several years, and it is far from always possible to achieve a cure. Some patients may respond positively to other therapies, such as hypnotherapy, gestalt therapy, occupational therapy, etc.

Why does the mammary gland hurt and the temperature rises?

A disease that could explain the association between breast/breast pain and temperature is mastitis. The possibility of a parallel development of another non-inflammatory cause of pain in the female breast and a disease manifested by fever ( acute respiratory infection (ARVI), pneumonia, tonsillitis, etc.). In other words, breast tenderness and fever can develop independently of each other.

The cause of mastitis in most cases is congestion, combined with injuries of the nipple and areola ( areola). That is why the main category of women who develop this disease are breastfeeding young mothers and pregnant women. Mastitis occurs in other categories of women, but much less frequently.

Menopausal women are more likely to develop breast cancer with age. With the development of mastitis in such patients, it should always be borne in mind that mastitis can develop due to compression of the gland ducts by the tumor or directly due to the collapse of the tumor itself. This disease occurs even in children, both female and male, due to hormonal disorders. In men, mastitis can develop mainly due to the entry of microbes into the rudimentary milk ducts.

The clinical picture of mastitis, as a rule, does not vary much. Part of the mammary gland becomes edematous, elastic, hot to the touch and full-blooded. The pains are bursting, dull in nature. Touching the gland or its displacement during movements causes a sharp increase in pain. In most cases, inflammation affects the space behind the nipple and the part of the breast that is below the nipple. There is no clear boundary between inflamed and healthy tissue. In the absence of timely treatment, inflammation progresses rapidly, covering the entire mammary gland.

The link between pain and temperature in mastitis is the inflammatory process. Pain occurs due to irritation of nerve receptors by substances that accumulate in the inflammatory focus. These substances lead to swelling of the affected tissue, and swelling, in turn, increases pressure on nerve receptors, increasing pain. An increase in temperature is a direct consequence of the destruction of pathogenic bacteria in the inflammatory focus. A substance called endotoxin is released from the cell wall of microbes, which acts on the thermoregulatory center located in the hypothalamus ( part of the brain) by raising body temperature.

The diagnosis of mastitis does not cause any particular difficulties due to a fairly clear and unambiguous clinical picture, focusing on which a doctor of any specialty can make a correct diagnosis. For complete certainty, a general blood test is performed, in which leukocytosis of varying severity and a shift of the leukocyte formula to the left are noted ( an increase in the number of stab neutrophils). Also, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate usually increases. However, due to the fact that this indicator is examined for at least one hour ( often longer), surgeons do not use it. Mastitis is characterized by rapid spread to healthy tissues, so surgeons cannot afford unnecessary delays and operate on the patient as soon as possible. If there is a possibility that the cause of the temperature rise is not only mastitis, but also another disease, then resort to additional studies necessary for differential diagnosis ( chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography, etc.).

Treatment for mastitis depends on how advanced the inflammation is at the time you seek medical attention. If the patient goes to the doctor on time, that is, in the first hours after the onset of inflammation, then mastitis can be cured without resorting to surgery, especially if it developed during lactation. To do this, a bandage soaked in warm water is placed on the areola of the inflamed breast to expand the ducts. After a few minutes, the mammary gland begins to be massaged from top to bottom, that is, from the periphery of the gland to the center, provoking the release of stagnant masses. Despite the fact that such manipulations are very painful, they often lead to softening of stagnant masses and their release in a natural way.

If the above actions are not successful, you have to resort to surgical intervention. With mastitis in women outside the lactation period, surgical treatment is the method of choice. The use of antibiotics gives a result only after the opening of the purulent focus.

As a prevention of mastitis, it is recommended to observe personal hygiene, especially for mothers whose children are breastfed. Before and after giving the breast to the baby, it should be thoroughly washed with warm water and soap. Between feedings, the nipple and areola ( areola) must be lubricated with special oily substances to prevent the formation of microcracks. The child should be tried to be applied to the breast so that he captures not only the nipple, but also the areola with his mouth. This advice is especially relevant when a child has teeth, and he actively tries them on his mother's breast.

How many days before menstruation do the mammary glands hurt?

On average, the mammary glands increase in size, become dense and painful to the touch 7 to 8 days before the onset of menstruation. However, these terms can shift both in one direction and in the other, depending on the individual characteristics of the body and even on the conditions in which the woman finds herself. For example, severe stress and overwork can delay your period from a few days to several months.

The menstrual cycle is a complex process in which there is a succession of changes occurring in the internal organs of women under the influence of sex hormones. In particular, the main hormones that cause the above changes are estrogen ( as well as its derivatives) and progesterone. The organs most affected by these hormones are the mammary glands and uterus.

The predominance of estrogens in the first phase of the menstrual cycle leads to the growth of the ducts of the mammary glands and their internal epithelium. In the second phase of the menstrual cycle, progesterone predominates, which leads to the growth of the glandular part of the mammary gland. It is in the second phase of the menstrual cycle that breast volume increases the most. By the end of the second phase, progesterone levels gradually decrease and estrogen levels rise again. Approximately at the moment when the influence of these hormones is equalized, the mammary glands begin to decrease, and the endometrium ( inner lining of the uterus) starts to be rejected. As a result, almost simultaneously, the mammary glands stop hurting, and the first spotting comes from the cervix, which is commonly called menstruation.

The above diagram is superficial and relatively easy to understand. In fact, the cyclical phases of hormone secretion and their effect on target organs are much more complicated. This process includes many other substance-effectors and regulators of this process. Not the last influence on the phases of hormone secretion is the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that communicates between the conditions in which the body is located and the endocrine system. In other words, the menstrual cycle can speed up, slow down or even disappear for a while due to external factors such as stress, overwork, lack of sleep, through their effect on the hypothalamus.

Why does a girl have breast pain?

Pain in the mammary gland in a girl ( under 18) can develop for several reasons. These reasons should be considered in the context of the age at which certain reasons are more relevant.

In newborns, both boys and girls, pain in the mammary glands can be caused by neonatal mastitis. In children from 1 month of life to the onset of puberty ( 11 - 13 years old) pain in the mammary glands is quite rare and is associated mainly with injuries. With the onset of puberty, predisposed girls, along with the development of the mammary glands, may develop a disease such as fibrocystic mastopathy. This disease can cause the development of cysts, fibroadenomas and mastitis. Despite the fact that at a young age, malignant neoplasms are quite rare, the possibility of their occurrence cannot be completely ruled out. Unfortunately, they can occur at all ages, even in newborns.

Mastitis in newborns
Mastitis in newborns develops due to the fact that in the child's body for some time after birth, a certain concentration of maternal sex hormones that entered his body in the womb remains. In response to the influence of these hormones, the mammary glands of the newborn increase in size and begin to produce a substance that vaguely resembles breast milk. Due to the fact that the milk ducts of newborns are not yet developed, the secret formed in them is not released to the outside, further increasing the size of the glands. With an increase in the size of the glands, the pressure inside them increases, and stagnation intensifies, provoking the development of mastitis and the occurrence of pain. However, mastitis in newborns for the most part is not complicated by purulent inflammation, since the concentration of maternal hormones does not increase, but gradually decreases, due to which the child's mammary glands eventually return to normal size.

Traumatic mastitis
Traumatic mastitis in girls, however, as in boys, can develop at any age. It usually starts with a small scratch on the nipple and areola. Violation of the integrity of the skin in this area can also occur due to rubbing with rough and uncomfortable clothing. In the absence of antiseptic treatment of a skin defect, the infection can penetrate deep into the gland, causing the development of mastitis and the appearance of accompanying pain.

Mastitis during puberty
With the onset of puberty in girls, the number of causes that can cause pain in the mammary glands increases. The onset of menstruation marks the beginning of the process of growth and development of the mammary glands. During each next cycle in the mammary glands, there is a slow growth of the duct system and the glandular part ( mammary acini). The process of maturation of the mammary glands can take place with some deviations, due to which cysts and fibroadenomas appear in them. A few days before the onset of menstruation, under the influence of progesterone, the breast becomes dense and painful. This process is physiological and does not cause concern. However, cysts and fibroadenomas located in the mammary glands, as a rule, hurt more than the rest of the softer part of the glands, which is why they attract attention. In rare cases, girls at the onset of puberty may develop mastitis, the cause of which is an actively progressive fibrocystic mastopathy.

Mastitis against the background of tumor formation
Unfortunately, no one is immune from tumors, especially given the progressively worsening environmental situation in the world and the ever-increasing pace of life. Despite the fact that, statistically, the incidence of tumors increases as a person grows older, there are also hyperplastic processes in children's organisms. Some of them can cause pain in the mammary glands. In particular, we are talking about hormone-producing brain tumors and breast cancer.

A prolactinoma is a tumor of the pituitary gland that secretes the hormone prolactin. Under its influence, there is a functional restructuring of the mammary glands and the beginning of milk secretion. The process of secretion of milk from the mammary glands outside the period of pregnancy and lactation is called galactorrhea. The appearance of galactorrhea in a girl is an alarming sign that requires urgent examination. However, before sounding the alarm, a normal pregnancy should be excluded, in which the restructuring of the mammary glands and the onset of lactation is a physiologically normal process. Soreness in galactorrhea is associated with an increased risk of mastitis, due to congestion and the development of infection in the mammary glands.

Another tumor process, manifested by pain in the mammary glands, is cancer. Its occurrence in girls and girls in most cases is associated with a genetic predisposition. Pain in breast cancer occurs due to irritation of nerve receptors by a growing tumor node.

What causes breast pain during menopause?

After the onset of menopause menopause) Pain in the mammary glands in women can be caused by causes such as mastitis and cancer. In addition, we should not forget that over the age of 50, women may experience pain in the mammary glands associated with the pathology of other organs, such as angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, etc.

With the onset of menopause, the breast tissue undergoes gradual involution. The epithelium of the milk ducts sloughs off and forms clots or plugs that block the ducts themselves. Despite the fact that in menopause the movement of secretions in the mammary glands is minimal, the resulting plugs can lead to congestion and overstretching of the ducts. As a result, mastitis develops, manifested by swelling, redness, an increase in local and general body temperature, as well as characteristic pains.

Another serious cause of pain in the mammary glands during menopause is their malignant degeneration, that is, cancer. Statistically, with aging, the likelihood of cancer increases due to the weakening of the activity of cellular systems that carry out the destruction of mutated cells. In other words, anti-cancer immunity weakens with age, and a variety of mutations accumulate in the body. Some of them lead to the development of malignant tumors. In the initial stages, breast cancer can manifest itself very poorly. A moderately painful dense formation can be palpated, which does not cause any particular inconvenience. As the tumor grows, soreness around it increases, axillary lymph nodes swell, and visible symptoms appear ( retraction of the nipple, the release of a bloody secret when pressing on the nipple, the symptom of "lemon peel", etc.). For early detection of breast cancer, starting at the age of 35, it is recommended to do a mammogram once every two years. Starting from the age of 50, this study should be done annually.

In addition to diseases of the mammary glands, some other pathologies can cause pain in the chest area. One of the most common examples is radicular syndrome, which develops due to compression of the spinal nerves. The above compression can occur with osteochondrosis, herniated discs, spondylolisthesis ( displacement of the vertebrae), etc. Should not be written off from the accounts of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Pain in angina pectoris can radiate ( give away) in the chest, giving the impression of pain in the mammary glands.

What to do when the mammary gland in men hurts?

The mammary glands can also hurt in men, but much less often than in women. This fact explains the early appeal of men for medical help, in contrast to women who are accustomed to endure pain in the mammary glands throughout their lives. Thus, most men, without further questions, immediately act most responsibly - they go to the doctor.

One of the main tasks of the doctor in this case is the exclusion of a malignant process, that is, breast cancer. To do this, the anterior chest wall should be carefully palpated and, if suspicious seals are found, additionally examined using ultrasound. To make a definitive diagnosis, a biopsy of this seal should be performed ( get a tissue sample with a fine needle) and examine the resulting tissue by histochemical methods. According to the results of the biopsy, it is possible to accurately conclude whether the seal is a malignant tumor or something else.

Men can also develop mastitis. In most cases, it is associated with the entry of pathogenic bacteria into the rudimentary milk ducts. They create conditions for the reproduction of microbes and the development of the inflammatory process. The clinical picture of such mastitis is quite clear and does not cause diagnostic difficulties, however, it should be borne in mind that mastitis in men may well hide breast cancer.

A rarer cause of mastitis in men is prolactinoma, a tumor of the pituitary gland that produces the hormone prolactin. This hormone stimulates the development of breast tissue and the beginning of their milk production, provoking a phenomenon called galactorrhea ( pathological flow of milk from the mammary glands). Since the male mammary glands are not adapted to lactation, the secretion formed in them often stagnates, leading to the development of mastitis.

Finally, we should not forget that men, by nature, are more conflicted creatures than women and are more engaged in physical labor. The above factors are the cause of more frequent injuries, including the chest. Heavy physical activity negatively affects the condition of the spine, leading to its diseases and the development of radicular syndrome, which causes pain in the chest area. Also, men are slightly ahead of women in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, the pain in which can spread to the chest.

Many women are concerned about the question of why the chest hurts before menstruation and whether this is normal. Mastalgia - the so-called pain in this area - occurs in a large number of women, but the manifestation of unpleasant sensations can be of different strength.

Many women are concerned about the question of why the chest hurts before menstruation.

As a rule, mastalgia is accompanied by the fact that the mammary glands increase in size, they become engorged, the woman feels discomfort during physical exertion.

Pain in the chest before menstruation can manifest itself as:

feeling of bursting;
feeling of heaviness;
feeling of heat;
puffiness;
pain on touch.

The reasons why the chest may hurt before menstruation are divided into two groups: dependent on the menstrual cycle (cyclic mastalgia) and developing under the influence of other factors (acyclic mastalgia).

PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Gynecologists-mammologists in a number of conditions in which mastalgia is observed, the first is called PMS. Premenstrual syndrome occurs in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, a few days before the onset of menstruation, and stops immediately when they occur. PMS is characterized by a violation of endocrine processes, a deterioration in the general physical and emotional state of a woman. In the second phase of the menstrual cycle in women, a change in the level of hormones is observed: an increase in estrogen and a lack of progesterone, which causes fluid retention in the body, including in the glandular tissue of the breast. The accumulation of too much fluid leads to stretching of the breast tissue and pain.
The period of puberty. In addition to very strong physiological changes and psycho-emotional fluctuations, in the puberty period, girls complain that their chest hurts before menstruation. During this period, the reproductive system develops as a result of endocrine processes that prepare the body to perform the reproductive function. In girls, a regular menstrual cycle is formed and the mammary glands grow under the influence of steroid sex hormones. The mammary glands mature within 4-5 years, and discomfort can persist throughout this period.
Premenopause. The last 1-2 years before the complete loss of the reproductive function of the body and the onset of menopause is called premenopause. During this period, the menstrual cycle is still preserved, but becomes unstable due to a decrease in the level of the hormone progestin, which is responsible for the regulation of menstruation. Communicating with a doctor, women around the age of 45 note that their chest hurts a lot before menstruation, although earlier the pain in the second phase of the cycle was weaker or did not exist at all. In premenopause, such pains are caused by a change in the composition of fatty acids under the influence of hormones, since the adipose tissue of the mammary gland begins to replace the glandular one. By the onset of menopause, the female breast for these reasons changes its size and shape. Pain in the mammary glands in menopause stops.

Women over 40 need to undergo preventive examinations by a mammologist, even with minor or no chest pains, in order to maintain their health

Why does the chest hurt before menstruation (video)

Causes of acyclic mastalgia

Taking contraceptives. Having started taking contraceptives, some women note that their chest hurts before menstruation. Moreover, these pains are not very pronounced, pulling in nature. The principle of action of oral contraceptives is based on a specially selected combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin, which on certain days of the cycle will prevent the fertilization of the egg. indicate that the woman's body responds to hormonal changes. Feelings of such an unexpressed nature will eventually stop if this drug was selected by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the woman.
Pregnancy. Sometimes women of reproductive age note that their breasts become sensitive, swell and hurt a week before menstruation, although they had not experienced such sensations before. This sign may indicate conception, and if menstruation does not begin on the due day, a test or analysis should be done to determine pregnancy.
Abortion. After an early termination of pregnancy, the menstrual cycle is restored, as a rule, after a month. During this period, a woman may notice that her breasts become very painful. This is due to hormonal changes in the body. As soon as pregnancy occurs, not only the uterus, but the whole body prepares for the birth of the child. The mammary glands, which have already begun to grow, return to their previous state after an abortion, which is accompanied by their soreness.
Mastopathy. This is a benign formation of the mammary glands, which is characterized by the fact that the epithelium and connective tissue of the organ begin to develop unevenly due to metabolic disorders. Women of reproductive age are more susceptible to mastopathy. With this disease, women complain that their chest hurts a lot before menstruation. The disease is caused by metabolic disorders occurring in the body, stress, and other gynecological diseases. Mastopathy at an early stage responds very well to conservative treatment. The appearance of seals noticeable to the touch indicates the next stage of the disease, in which mastalgia is more pronounced.

As a rule, mastalgia is accompanied by the fact that the mammary glands increase in size, they become engorged, the woman feels discomfort during physical exertion

If a woman not only has breast pain, but also symptoms such as fever, nausea, a change in the size of the areola (dark area around the nipple), and discharge from the breast, this is a very weighty argument to see a doctor.

Soreness of the breast before the onset of critical days worries many women. Some of them almost do not notice it, others suffer from severe pain, which leads to a deterioration in the quality of life. Why does the chest hurt, and how to deal with it?

Why does the chest hurt before menstruation?

Pain in the mammary glands a few days before the onset of the menstrual cycle is otherwise called mastodynia. This condition is a variant of the norm. Often its occurrence is due to the fact that the glandular tissue of the breast grows. This happens due to the fact that before the mature egg is removed from the follicle, there is a sharp production of estrogen, so the body prepares for conception. These hormones affect the condition of the mammary glands. They are characterized by a lobed tissue structure. All lobes consist of milk ducts, connective, glandular and adipose tissue. In the latter, the hormones estrogens are produced, the increase in the content of which leads to an increase in the amount of adipose tissue. In addition, there is an increase in glandular tissues, so preparation for lactation is carried out.

The hormones progesterone and prolactin act on the mammary gland in such a way that they become rough and swollen, become more sensitive, and therefore pain occurs. In most cases, this physiological state appears as a result of stressful situations and psycho-emotional stress experienced by a woman.

The intensity of pain in each representative of the weaker sex is expressed differently. It depends on many factors that affect the hormonal background. These factors include age, individual characteristics of the organism, the lifestyle that a woman leads, and much more.

Usually, chest pain is felt about 10 days before the start of the menstrual cycle. When menstruation comes, that is, conception does not occur, she recedes.

Other Causes of Breast Pain Before Period

It happens that chest pain is not provoked by physiological factors, but by other, more serious pathological conditions.

Non-dangerous causes of pain in the mammary glands include muscle sprains. This can happen, for example, due to increased physical exertion (long-term carrying of heavy objects in the hands, intense sports training, etc.).

Reasons that pose a more serious threat to women's health may include the following:

Changes in hormone levels. Any imbalance in the hormonal background can cause dangerous consequences and malfunctions in the functioning of all internal organs.
Gynecological diseases. Often lead to hormonal imbalances. In some cases, they can be an independent cause of breast pain.
Inflammation of the mammary glands or adjacent organs.
Diseases of the chest. They are provoked by many reasons, accompanied by different symptoms and proceed in different ways. Most often, a disease that causes pain in the chest becomes mastopathy.
Benign or malignant tumors. Both those and others are capable of causing pain in any phase of the cycle, in particular, before the start of critical days.

When is chest pain considered a medical condition?

Any woman, regardless of age, must take care of her own breasts, since the mammary glands are very often exposed to cancer.

The nature and severity of painful sensations can tell that a pathogenic process is developing in the body. For example, if the pain syndrome before menstruation has changed, become stronger or began to occur on other days of the cycle, you need to be alert and carefully monitor everything that happens in the body, visit a competent doctor.

With special attention to all pains in the mammary glands, ladies who are at risk, that is, those who have:

There have been artificial or spontaneous abortions in the past.
There is an instability of the menstrual cycle, or a complete absence of menstruation.
There is a hereditary predisposition to various diseases of the mammary glands.
Who has been taking oral contraceptives, hormone-containing drugs for a long time for a therapeutic purpose.
Who abuses fatty and fried foods, sweet foods, fast food, cigarettes.

If a woman who knows about the nature of painful sensations in the chest before menstruation notices any changes in this condition, she should visit a doctor. A mild, slightly aching pain is considered normal.

Symptoms for which you should be alert and suspect the development of diseases:

pain in only one breast;
hardened nipples and the appearance of discharge from them;
pain syndrome has a wave-like character;
the formation of a seal;
spasms in the chest;
severe, unbearable pain that prevents you from leading a normal life.

It should be noted that the pain and hypersensitivity of the breast can increase significantly if pregnancy occurs. Immediately after fertilization, the susceptibility of the nipples to various mechanical influences increases. Similar signs can appear even before a delay in menstruation occurs.

If this phenomenon does not affect the woman in any way, does not cause serious inconvenience, there is no reason for concern. If the soreness does not go away even after menstruation has come, you need to see a doctor, because this is a deviation from the norm.

In this situation, the causes of pain are usually various factors (gynecological diseases, stress and nervous tension, hormonal imbalance, colds, oncology).

The reason for concern with pain in the mammary glands should be a radical change in the menstrual cycle. For example, earlier, before the start of critical days, there were no particular pains in the chest, or, on the contrary, it was precisely by such painful sensations that it was possible to determine the approaching onset of menstruation - both of them are considered the norm. And if a woman notices that the cycle is not proceeding as before, while this is repeated for more than one month in a row, in this case it is necessary to visit a doctor. A doctor's consultation will also be required in a situation where the usual symptoms in the form of engorged and painful breasts are not observed. This may be due to a decrease in the production of progesterone, which adversely affects the ability to become pregnant and give birth to a healthy child.

To exclude the presence of pathology, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a gynecologist every six months, once a year by a mammologist. In addition, it is recommended to independently examine the mammary glands on a monthly basis. To do this, it is necessary to pick up each breast in turn with one hand, and with the other, using groping movements, check the condition of the breast. If during this procedure seals are found, or bleeding with pus from the nipples, it is necessary to visit a mammologist as soon as possible. It is necessary to detect and eliminate changes in the mammary gland in a timely manner. The treatment will be selected by the doctor, for each individual patient it is individual.

To establish the cause of pain in the chest before critical days, the following diagnostic procedures will be prescribed:

Research on hormones.
Test for tumor markers.
Ultrasound examination of the chest and pelvic organs.

How to relieve chest pain

To reduce pain in the mammary gland before menstruation, it is necessary to approach this issue in a comprehensive manner. Activities that will help to cope with the problem, first of all, should include nutritional adjustments in the second half of the cycle. It is recommended to limit the consumption of salty and fatty foods, drink less liquids, give up strong tea and coffee, and alcoholic beverages. In addition, you should not wear tight, tight-fitting clothes that squeeze the chest at this time. It will not be superfluous to consult a doctor. He may recommend taking magnesium supplements, hormonal contraceptives, and herbal remedies in the second phase of the cycle to help avoid the occurrence of mastodynia.

Well help from soreness of the chest before the onset of menstruation folk remedies. For these purposes, use medicinal collections containing plants such as peony, cinquefoil, nettle, succession, celandine, tartar, dandelion. In addition, you can use the following traditional medicine recipes:

Vegetable compress. Grind medium beets with a grater, add a little honey. Take a cabbage leaf, beat it off, put the prepared mixture on it and apply it to the sore spot. Top cover with polyethylene and wrap. The tool not only reduces pain, but also helps to get rid of seals in the mammary gland.
Flax seeds. They have a beneficial effect on hormonal levels, eliminating imbalances. To improve the condition and reduce soreness of the breast, you should grind flaxseeds. Use the resulting powder in a tablespoon twice a day, drinking plenty of liquid.

To stop the pain, you can use analgesics. Good pain relievers such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin. However, drugs of this action should be used only in cases where the pain syndrome becomes very pronounced.

It must be remembered that the use of any drug is fraught with the occurrence of various side effects. In addition, each drug has certain contraindications. For this reason, before using them, you should consult your doctor.

Prevention against the appearance of pain in the chest before menstruation is protection from stressful situations and hypothermia. In addition, you should abandon the squeezing underwear, which leads to circulatory disorders, squeezing of blood vessels and lymph nodes. With breast tenderness, you can wear sports bras that do not squeeze the mammary glands, but provide support.

Even if such a condition has arisen, you should not try to treat it yourself. If a woman is concerned about chest pain, the first thing she should do is see a doctor.