Every woman in her life, regardless of age, regularly faces such a problem as chest pain, and this happens completely natural reasons. And if this painful syndrome occurs at the very beginning of menstruation, then in this situation this pain in the chest due to physiological processes which are the norm. But what does it mean to have chest pain that does not go away after the end of the menstrual cycle? And how dangerous is it? In this article we will try to answer all these questions.

Causes of chest pain after menstruation

If we delve a little deeper into medical terminology, the phenomenon in which women experience painful sensations in the chest area, called mastalgia. According to statistics, mastalgia is characteristic of 80 percent of all women, and this phenomenon manifests itself most clearly in three cases: during puberty, during pregnancy and during menopause - it is during these periods that women experience the most prolonged and quite severe chest pain. Chest pain also occurs when glandular tissue grows. Next we will look at the most common reasons occurrence of mastalgia in women:

Hormonal imbalance. This reason the occurrence of chest pain after menstruation is the most common among all available. If there is no hormonal imbalance, then, as a rule, chest pain subsides approximately on the first or second day after the end of the menstrual cycle. If there are hormonal imbalances, chest pain after menstruation will be present long time and at the same time have a pulsating and pulling character. Tingling in the chest area is also possible.

Various experiences, stress, and intake can provoke any hormonal imbalances. hormonal drugs And contraceptive drugs. Various sexually transmitted infections, inflammatory processes, menopause can also provoke hormonal imbalances;

Mastopathy. With this disease, pain in the chest area is quite severe, and thickening is also observed glandular tissue breast, body temperature may increase.

As a rule, this disease most often occurs in women aged 30-40 years, however, sometimes mastopathy is also observed in young girls, in whom it occurs due to hormonal imbalance.

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should mandatory consult your doctor, because if you allow progression of this disease, then suppuration may occur, which will require surgery;

Pregnancy, namely its first period - the onset. And the thing is that during fertilization of the egg female body produces the hormones progesterone and estrogen. It is because of this process that swelling and thickening of the breast occurs, as well as its enlargement. Pain in the chest area initial stage pregnancy – also quite natural reaction body to changes in hormonal levels. As a rule, this painful syndrome goes away in about two to three weeks;

Growth of epithelial cells. Immediately before ovulation, there is an increased flow of blood to the lobes and ducts, causing the mammary glands to swell and the breasts to increase in size. That is why many women, after the end of the menstrual cycle, often experience painful sensations in the breast area, which disappear approximately on the second or third day;

Reception medicines. Various medications affect women differently hormonal background, provoking its changes. So, for example, if a woman regularly takes medications to prevent pregnancy or undergoes an intensive course of treatment for infertility, then the occurrence of chest pain is a completely natural phenomenon in this situation. In order to get rid of this pain syndrome, you need to consult with your doctor, who, in turn, will help you choose the right medicine for you;

Osteochondrosis. As surprising as it may be, this disease can also cause chest pain; Moreover, pain arising for this reason can bother a woman not only after the end of menstruation, but also at any other period. In order to find out the real reason the occurrence of this pain syndrome, it is necessary to undergo examination by an appropriate specialist;

Various injuries and bruises. If you are worried about chest pain after your period, you need to remember if you have recently had a fall or injury. Also, chest pain after menstruation can occur if you lie on your stomach for a long time while sleeping;

Oncological diseases. If there are any tumors in the chest, pain in this area is periodic. Therefore, if you are regularly bothered by such painful sensations, you must consult your doctor. In order to avoid such unpleasant “surprises” in the future, it is recommended to undergo an annual examination by a gynecologist, and upon reaching the age of 45, by a mammologist;

Incorrectly selected underwear. It is very important to choose the “right” clothes for this delicate area. For example, it is best to avoid bras with narrow straps and underwires, because all these factors compress the breasts and skin, as a result of which we experience this painful syndrome.

What to do if your breasts hurt after menstruation

There is only one answer - contact your doctor, because only a specialist will be able to identify the true cause of the pain and help eliminate it, prescribing a course of treatment. It is worth considering that regularly occurring pain syndrome in the chest area - enough dangerous phenomenon, which may indicate various formations in the breast, so you should not delay your visit to the doctor.

At the doctor's appointment, they will palpate the glands and axillary nodes, and a walkthrough will also be assigned ultrasound examination or mammography. If any tumors or formations are detected using the above procedures, then surgical intervention will be required in the future. Another additional treatment measure is a course of chemotherapy.

Preventing chest pain

Of course, none universal remedies There are no remedies that can permanently relieve you of chest pain. However, experts advise adhering to certain recommendations, following which you can maintain your women’s health:

do not abuse alcohol, stop smoking;

avoid stress and nervous experiences;

during the menstrual cycle, do not exercise or lift weights; lead a moderate lifestyle;

take vitamins regularly;

take regularly warm baths with addition sea ​​salt for baths;

choose comfortable underwear;

do not get too cold;

at severe pain in the chest area, take antispasmodics; remember that pain in this situation cannot be tolerated;

Get checked regularly by your doctor.

Usually painful sensations in the mammary glands, present during menstruation, decrease during or after the complete completion of the cycle. However, there are often cases when the pain persists or even increases many times. The reasons for this phenomenon require detailed study and search for answers to the question of why breasts hurt after menstruation.

Chest pain is known to medicine under the term “mastalgia.” The disease is quite common among people of different ages; up to 70% of women experienced it in different periods life. The pain may be cyclical or non-cyclical. Cyclic pain occurs during the menstrual cycle, and non-cyclic pain occurs regardless of it.

Non-cyclical pain has a considerable number of causes. Often their predecessors are injuries. Both the adjacent muscles and tissues can hurt, and not the breast itself. Non-cyclical pain develops less frequently and is more difficult to determine the root cause.

Menstruation and the period after it are often accompanied by pain. Soreness after your period ends can be caused by numerous factors. The intensity of pain in both mammary glands may be uneven. In some cases, one of them may hurt more than the other.

Breast pain and its causes

Discomfort and pain in the mammary glands associated with menstruation are considered normal occurrence. They arise for a reason physiological changes in tissues resulting from the action of sex hormones. Normally, at the end of the menstrual cycle, the pain must stop. However, many women wonder why it continues to bother them.

After the end of menstruation, painful sensations may persist due to:

• pregnancy;
• hormonal dysfunction and abnormal increase in estrogen levels;
• diseases of the mammary glands and female reproductive organs;
• wearing uncomfortable, tight underwear;
• immoderate physical activity

Each of these reasons requires more detailed consideration.

Pregnancy

It often causes swelling and tenderness of the breasts after menstruation. Hormonal changes in the entire body of the expectant mother certainly affect the condition of the mammary glands. Mastalgia often develops as a symptom ectopic pregnancy. To find out the cause of the pain, a pregnancy test should be performed. In case negative result it is necessary to continue the search for the root cause of the pain.

Hormonal dysfunction (failure)

Significantly affects the condition of the mammary glands. It occurs in the female body due to diseases of the reproductive system, thyroid gland, onset of menopause, taking certain oral contraceptives or antidepressants, severe stress.

Diseases of the mammary glands and reproductive organs

These may include mastitis, mastopathy, cystic formations, gynecological diseases.

Mastitis

Implies development inflammatory process in breast tissue. Develops as a result of their defeat bacterial infection. Often diagnosed in nursing mothers.

Mastopathy

Appears due to hormonal imbalance. Symptoms often include pain in the mammary glands, a feeling of heaviness and tightness in them. Such phenomena appear before, during or after menstruation.

Cystic formations and malignant tumors in the mammary glands Provoke intense pain. They often grow quickly and reach considerable sizes.

Problems of this nature require professional consultation and assistance from a mammologist (a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of female mammary glands).

Gynecological and other diseases

The development of such diseases often entails breast pain. Gynecological diseases can cause hormonal imbalance, which significantly affects not only her condition, but also general health. Discomfort occurs in the presence of endometritis, adnexitis, vulvitis, inflammation fallopian tubes or ovaries.

Pain can also occur as a result of the development of diseases not related to reproductive system body. These may be inflammation of the lymph nodes in armpits, heart disease, mechanical impacts (impacts, bruises, compression).

Wearing incorrectly selected underwear and abnormal physical activity

Such factors can provoke unpleasant consequences. The bra should not put too much pressure on the mammary glands, and the cup should not be an inappropriate, too small size.

As a result of abnormal physical activity, for example, when visiting the gym or lifting weights, it also becomes possible appearance breast pain after menstruation.

It is useful to know that diet largely affects the condition of the mammary glands. Its deterioration is observed as a result of the abuse of certain types of foods and after taking certain medicines. These are:

• caffeine;
• methylxanthine derivatives;
• products with high content salt;
• fatty foods and dairy products;
• oral contraception

Caffeine and methylxanthine-based drugs have significant vasodilatory properties. They affect the vessels supplying blood to the mammary glands. This effect certainly leads to pain, swelling after the end of the menstrual cycle, and increased sensitivity.

Foods high in salt can also cause chest pain. This is due to their tendency to retain water. This feature often leads to pain in the chest and abdomen after menstruation.

Fatty foods and dairy products significantly affect the tone of the mammary glands. Due to the presence of animal fat in food, swelling and the development of pain symptoms are often observed. The mechanism of its effect has not been reliably elucidated, but there is an assumption that it is associated with the hormones of dead animals. Besides fatty foods certain negative impact may provide dairy products. This is due to its allergenicity.

Oral contraceptives (pills) often contain additives that lead to breast pain after menstruation.

How to identify the causes of pain

Every woman needs to have the skills to examine her own breasts for lumps and other manifestations of disease. If you have pain after menstruation, you should examine the condition of the mammary glands yourself. Then you need to apply for medical care. A mammologist, using mammography, ultrasound, biopsy and other examination methods, will restore the picture of the course of the disease, explain to the patient why the pain occurred, and diagnose correct diagnosis and pick up effective ways treatment.

Diseases of the mammary glands most often require treatment with anti-inflammatory or hormonal drugs. In some cases associated with the presence of neoplasms, emergency surgery is indicated.

You should remember that self-medication and taking hormonal drugs without a specialist's prescription. Extra caution must be observed during pregnancy.

Effective prevention is always the best way avoid the occurrence and development of the disease. In this regard, the importance of the following points should be remembered:

• choosing the right underwear to prevent compression on the breasts;
• complete abandonment bad habits;
• application of funds hormonal contraception only under the supervision of a doctor;
• rational planning of the daily routine and proper nutrition(restrictions on the consumption of smoked, spicy and excessively salty foods);
• minimal consumption of coffee and chocolate on the eve of the menstrual cycle

Everyone is familiar with the situation: just before the start of menstruation, the breasts are swollen and painful. It hurts with every unnecessary sudden movement, if it gets caught somewhere. After your period ends, your breast size returns to the same size and the pain decreases or goes away completely. Sometimes swelling and pain can accompany a woman for a month or more, then it becomes interesting or exciting why they hurt mammary glands after menstruation.

When swollen breasts are normal

Breasts may become engorged on different days associated with the menstrual cycle. She can become engorged and sick during ovulation. This phase occurs in the middle of the cycle; in a normal menstrual cycle, this date is 12–14 days after menstruation. Also normal and natural is swollen breasts a few days before, the period of menstruation and a few days after.

This process is explained by the fact that the body prepares for pregnancy not only in the pelvic organs, but also in general. These days, estrogen production increases. They are contained in adipose tissue, and accordingly, they enlarge organs rich in these cells. They are also contained in subcutaneous fatty tissue, but there it happens unnoticeably, since it is distributed evenly throughout the body. And in the mammary gland there is a whole accumulation of it, so the breasts become enlarged, which leads to disruption of blood flow. This provokes an even greater increase in breast size due to swelling. It becomes pasty and painful.

On days other than those described above, the breasts should not become engorged and sore, the reason for this is increased level estrogens.

Causes of chest pain on other days

Estrogen levels may remain high for the following reasons:

• Pregnancy
• Hormonal imbalance
• Mastopathy
• Mechanical damage
• Osteochondrosis
• Oncology

Pregnancy

The first thing a woman immediately thinks about if her breasts hurt after her period is pregnancy. In most cases, this is true. For some women, menstruation may continue for several months after conception. Then swollen and painful breasts after menstruation it becomes one of the few signs of a future addition to the family.

Estrogens help the body prepare for motherhood. Constant swelling and pain accompanies this period. Since estrogens and progesterone ensure the attachment of the egg to the uterus, growth and formation of the placenta. Thanks to them, the blood volume increases, since now the mother has 2 circulatory systems, and 1 heart pumps blood for two. Estrogen also stimulates the growth and formation of new blood vessels for the child. And progesterones prepare the mammary glands for feeding. In this case, new ducts grow and the mammary gland itself grows. The ratio of adipose tissue to gland changes. Now there are more ducts.

When preparatory work are ending hormonal levels decreases, and the breast stops hurting, but remains increased in size due to the formed milk ducts.

Hormonal imbalance

If the test is negative, your period has already passed, but your breasts still hurt, the cause may be hormonal imbalance.

The main factors of hormonal disorders can be:

• Reception hormonal contraceptives
• Stress and nervous fatigue
• Age (breast pain during menopause, when the body tries to accumulate as much estrogen as possible)
• Some sexually transmitted infections (often high level estrogen for syphilis)
• Heredity
• Hormone-producing ovarian tumors

In these cases, estrogen levels can be very high. It can be produced as reserves for the future, as the body anticipates that normal hormone production will soon end. Estrogen can be produced in large quantities to stress and illness. This is how the female body fights excessive pain and emotional overload. Thanks to this hormone, women are more resilient. Nature arranged it this way, which is also a kind of preparation for the birth process.

Mastopathy

Mastopathy occurs when the mammary gland becomes infected with an infectious agent. The microorganism can enter through damage to the integrity of the skin or through the blood if there is inflammation of another organ. Suppression is necessary for the appearance of mastopathy immune system. A decline in immunity can occur when a woman is ill or takes immunosuppressive drugs - glucocorticoid hormones, cytostatic drugs. They are used for various autoimmune diseases so that the body does not produce antibodies against its own cells and does not destroy itself. Also, a weakened immune system can occur after hypothermia.

Mechanical damage

There is always the possibility of falling or bruising your chest. And this moment may coincide with the end of menstruation. If proper attention was not paid to a fall or blow, then a woman may think that her breasts have not stopped hurting after menstruation. An incorrectly chosen bra can compress the breasts, rub and irritate the skin of the mammary glands.

Osteochondrosis

This insidious disease can cause pain along the nerves in any organ. In fact, the organ is completely healthy, but irritation of the nerve that is pressed causes pain in the place that innervates the affected nerve. So many can be deceived and think that they have sick heart, stomach, pancreas and gland, lower back and other organs. More often, with thoracic osteochondrosis, intercostal neuralgia is tormented. They cause pain in the mammary glands. To distinguish intercostal neuralgia from true gland pain, you need to observe whether the pain is associated with movements. With neuralgia, the pain decreases or intensifies with exhalation and inhalation, intensifies with sudden movements, while wearing tight clothes.

Oncology

Swelling and pain after menstruation can be caused by a hormone-producing ovarian tumor. Then a lot of estrogen and progesterone are produced. The natural reaction of the gland to high levels of hormones is similar symptoms. Such problems can also be caused by a tumor in the mammary gland itself. A tumor can be malignant or benign. The tumor grows, blocks blood vessels, and blood flow in the tissue is disrupted. And ischemia occurs. This causes pain and swelling. Also, the new tissue pushes aside the gland and puts pressure on it, which is accompanied by discomfort and visual enlargement. In any case, if there is a tumor, you should immediately consult a doctor.

To notice this in time terrible disease, you need to love yourself and take care possible changes. You should not skip annual gynecological examinations. You need to feel your breasts every day while using the toilet. You need to start from the periphery to the center and palpate the gland with soft massage movements. If you find a lump or changes in sensations, immediately run to the doctor. The tumor is also characterized by some symptoms:

• Symptom of the site - if you take mammary gland, pull it tight, you can notice a certain area, similar to a pad, that stands out and catches your eye in relation to the soft consistency around it
• Symptom of nipple retraction - When you pull on the found lump, the nipple is pulled inward and, as it were, follows the tumor
• Orange peel symptom - at the site of tumor attachment, the skin develops tightness, excessive lumpiness, very reminiscent of an orange peel.

You should always remember them and if you have any of them, contact a mammologist and not delay it. The sooner you treat, the greater your chances of winning.

What to do if your chest hurts

The breasts may hurt during and after menstruation and poor nutrition, operating mode, excessive physical and emotional stress during the cycle.

If this is the reason and there are no organic and hormonal changes that cause symptoms, you can try to normalize the regimen and give up bad habits. To do this you need:

• Refusal to drink alcoholic beverages
• Quit smoking
• Don't get too cold
• Visit your doctor on time
• Treat diseases at an early stage, rather than let them become chronic
• Avoid emotional stress, do not succumb to stress - fight it. Yoga and hobbies (embroidery, wrestling, knitting) will help with this.
• Taking soothing baths with the addition of sea salt and various herbs
• Proper nutrition that will provide the right amount proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and microelements. To do this you need to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, change various types meat, include fish in the diet
• Take a course of vitamins in autumn and spring
• Buy underwear according to size and comfort

If everything is normal in the body, knowing your characteristics, you can prepare for the onset of pain and swelling of the breast. To reduce these unpleasant sensations during menstruation, you can apply several tips:

• To reduce swelling during menstruation, you need to avoid coffee and strong tea, chocolate, Pepsi
• Wear soft, non-compressive bras
• Avoid strenuous exercise and sports
• Stay in one position as little as possible, take frequent walks in the fresh air
• Drink more than 2 liters of still water, juices, compotes
• Herbal teas are useful for reducing pain. It is recommended to brew tea from St. John's wort, chamomile, lemon balm and thyme
• A decoction of strawberry leaves is useful. To do this, you need to brew strawberry leaves per 200 ml 1 teaspoon
• Good for pain relief warm compresses through clothes
• Reduce intake of fatty foods for the period of menstruation, eliminate smoked foods

When to see a doctor

It’s not for nothing that doctors recommend being examined by a gynecologist once a year, or twice a year when taking hormonal contraceptives. No matter how scary it may sound, oncology of the breast, ovaries, and cervix are in the forefront. Recovery is possible if a woman contacts her as soon as she notices a change in her normal functioning these organs. And in most cases, cancer takes years to develop, so an annual visit can reduce the complication and progression of the disease many times over.

• If you notice the symptoms of a tumor listed above, go to the doctor
• Before taking OK, be fully examined by a doctor. If you take OK for a hormone-producing tumor that is just developing undetected, we will only help its rapid growth
• If you notice breast tension, excessive pain, redness, local hyperthermia - this may be mastitis, and you need medical treatment
• If your cycle changes or there is a hormonal imbalance, you should also contact a gynecologist so that you can be restored as soon as possible. normal cycle and hormone levels, then the glands will stop hurting
• If the breasts have not previously hurt after menstruation, that is, this is not due to heredity and normal reaction, you need to go to the gynecologist

Very often, menstruation is accompanied not only by pain in the abdominal area, but also by other unpleasant sensations. In particular, many women complain of dizziness, often of lumps in the chest. This is a natural reaction of the body to the features that accompany all menstrual cycle. However, what should you do if your breasts are swollen after your period? The answer to this question worries many women. In some cases, there is no point in worrying about this, but sometimes such a symptom may indicate the presence of serious illnesses.

Breast swelling occurs in women in several cases. For example, many girls notice this “symptom” during menstruation, while others observe it during ovulation. It usually goes away at the end of the above periods. But if swollen breasts persist after menstruation, you should immediately consult a doctor for advice, since the mammary glands after menstruation can increase as a result of the following processes:

If, at the end of menstruation, the breasts swell for several cycles in a row, a comprehensive medical examination is necessary.

Signs of pregnancy

In some cases, women may continue to have periods after pregnancy. Accordingly, the breasts may also increase. True, under these circumstances the discharge becomes slightly different. Sometimes they are characterized by scarcity and inconstancy.

Such discharge can mislead any woman or girl. For example, she may think that conception has not occurred, while the fetus has already begun to develop. If such discharge accompanies breast enlargement, you should take a pregnancy test and donate blood for the appropriate analysis.

In addition, there are other signs that are characteristic of pregnancy. First of all, this is a feeling of nausea, constant drowsiness, feeling tired, mood swings. And some patients note darkening of the nipples.

Hormonal imbalance

In the event of a hormonal imbalance, the breasts during and after menstruation may become significantly enlarged and painful. Hormonal imbalance may result age-related changes(in case of menopause), use of drugs oral contraception, hereditary predisposition, sexually transmitted infections, experiences, stressful situations.

In any case, you need to visit the doctor's office. First of all, the doctor must rule out pregnancy.

Oncology

Women's breasts may become engorged after menstruation and due to the formation of tumors. As a rule, this diagnosis is accompanied by characteristic manifestations on skin: redness or darkening, crusting.

In addition, tumor growth may be accompanied by discharge from the nipples, the gland becomes deformed, and axillary lymph nodes increase.

If there is the slightest change, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is extremely important to identify the disease by early stages. Most effective technique The treatment for this disease is surgery. According to research, residents of industrial regions are most susceptible to developing tumors, so it is especially important for them to undergo regular examinations.

Mastopathy

If the breasts have enlarged after menstruation, and this symptom appears for more than one month in a row, then it may indicate mastopathy. During the period of illness, the nipples swell greatly. The disease occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance, severe stress, and sexually transmitted infections.

In such cases, women often go to the doctor with complaints of severe pain and lumps in the breast area. You should contact a specialist even after refusing breastfeeding or recent abortion.

The chest may also hurt after a blow. In such situations, damage and menstruation may simply coincide. Sometimes swelling is caused by a lack of sex life, so it is extremely important to improve this aspect of the relationship.

In case of any changes, you should consult a doctor. He will conduct appropriate tests to identify the true cause of breast swelling and enlargement. In particular, this means donating blood for analysis to identify the pregnancy hormone, ultrasound, etc. Further treatment or recommendations will depend on the diagnosis.

One of the most effective methods Treatment is considered to be herbal medicine, as well as taking hormonal medications.

You should radically change your lifestyle and start following the rules healthy eating. The basis of the diet should be high-quality food; it is important to exclude fatty foods, fried foods, and seasonings. And during the second phase of the cycle, you must completely stop drinking coffee and tea.

Sometimes the cause of painful sensations in the chest can be wearing uncomfortable underwear. Should you buy bras? the right size so that they do not put pressure on the mammary glands.

A healthy lifestyle involves more than just eating healthy food. Every woman needs to improve her sex life, avoid stressful situations, try to limit herself as much as possible from various kinds shocks, experiences, other external and internal stimuli.

Conclusion

Why does it increase The causes of swelling can be caused by several factors, however accurate diagnosis Only the attending physician can diagnose. So, breast enlargement can be caused by hormonal imbalance, oncological diseases, pregnancy. But the mammary glands can also hurt and swell as a result mechanical damage. It is extremely important to make a correct diagnosis in order to avoid many unpleasant consequences in the future. Doctor's recommendations and treatment will depend on the diagnosis, but it is important to get them in a timely manner.

Sometimes menstruation is accompanied by pain in the mammary glands, which can also become swollen and full. This is due to changes in a woman’s hormonal status during menstruation. The level of estrogen in the blood increases, which prepares the body for possible pregnancy. Its main place of action is adipose tissue. This leads to swelling of organs with relatively high content this fabric. The vessels are compressed, and blood flow is impeded. in size, swell, become heavy and painful. Such pain is called cyclic, that is, the menstrual cycle is its cause. However, if your breasts still hurt after your period or even more so, this may be a manifestation of some kind of pathology. This type of pain is called non-cyclical. If your chest hurts and the pain is clearly non-cyclical, you should consult a doctor.

Normally, your breasts may hurt during ovulation or a few days before your period, but such pain should disappear on the first day of your period or immediately after it. This means that the occurrence of pain is not necessarily associated with any disease. It is possible that 4 days or a little more after the start discomfort Menstruation will occur in the chest and the pain will subside.

If this does not happen, it means that it is most likely in the body. The causes of chest pain after menstruation can be hormonal imbalances or changes in the body, as well as breast injuries that coincide with menstruation. Among hormonal reasons the following are distinguished:

• puberty;
• taking oral contraceptives;
• pregnancy;
• menopause;
• hormonal drugs;
• diseases of the mammary glands or other organs;
• sexually transmitted infections.

Frequent stress and taking antidepressants also provoke hormonal imbalance, and long-term exposure sun rays. It is known that sunbathing are useful in reasonable measures, but such effects on the breasts, especially the nipple area, should be avoided. Therefore, even when on a nudist beach, it is advisable to cover your nipples. Don't forget about this. It would be useful to use sunscreen on the area of ​​the mammary glands.

We cannot exclude such a factor as uncomfortable underwear. A tight bra may well cause discomfort and soreness in the glands, and its sharp parts (underwires) may put unnecessary pressure on or even damage the skin. Therefore, you should make sure that painful sensations after menstruation are not associated with the purchase of new underwear or the lucky discovery of an old favorite, but not comfortable bra.

Non-cyclic pain has a number of differences from cyclic pain.

1. Cyclic is noted in both glands, a feeling of heaviness covers them completely, non-cyclic are characterized by local manifestation.
2. Cyclic can be described as a feeling of heaviness, which is accompanied by swelling of the glands; non-cyclic has a burning, sharp character.
3. The cyclic pattern is initially pronounced, but with time goes by on the decline, non-cyclic has a constant intensity.

Pregnancy

Sometimes (in about 15 cases out of a hundred) a pregnant woman has her next menstruation after fertilization, and pain in the chest after menstruation is due to the fact that estrogen levels do not decrease as they should normally, which causes pain. In fact, it turns out that pregnancy could have occurred already a month ago, but another menstruation is still observed.

Estrogen, as mentioned above, prepares the body for pregnancy. It stimulates blood flow in the uterus, mammary glands, and also helps to increase their size. A week after menstruation, pain and swelling still persist, but after two weeks the discomfort and swelling go away.

Another reason that can cause progesterone activity as a result of pregnancy. This hormone stimulates the growth of ducts in the gland, which can become swollen and painful. If the pregnancy test is negative, the pain may be the cause of some disease.

Diseases

Mastopathy is a development benign neoplasm in the mammary gland. The main reason for its occurrence is hormonal imbalance. Mastopathy can develop due to termination of pregnancy, refusal to breastfeed, and some other predisposing factors. This disease is the reason why breasts hurt after menstruation for a long time.

Mastitis is another disease that causes pain in the mammary glands. Most often it is associated with lactation and breastfeeding, but there are cases when mastitis occurs regardless of this. Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, therefore, in addition to pain, it will manifest typical signs inflammation:

• increase in local temperature;
• The skin of the breast may become reddish due to increased blood flow.

A more serious reason for a woman's health is malignant tumor. At the same time, the gland is painful at any time of the cycle, both after and before menstruation. As the tumor grows, it compresses the surrounding tissues, which causes pain. The most dangerous thing here is that tangible changes appear at quite late stages. Therefore, if your breasts hurt after menstruation, and especially for a long time, it would be best to consult a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose and find out the cause of the pain.

Another pathology that can cause pain is cysts in the mammary gland. They arise as a result of a violation of fat metabolism.

The reason for this may be abnormalities not directly related to the mammary gland. These may be menopausal disorders, osteochondrosis thoracic spine or heart disease. The pain is localized in the chest area, but radiates directly to the mammary glands.

Other symptoms

Sometimes chest pain may not be limited to everything. Soreness may be accompanied by discharge from the nipples, and the nipples may be located asymmetrically. This is especially true during the development of neoplasms and cysts, since the size and shape of the gland in which it develops pathological process, are changing.

Palpation in this case may reveal a compaction. In the case of neoplasms, pain increases over time. Such signs are easily identified on scheduled inspection from a gynecologist, so it is important to visit him regularly.

The causes of pain in the mammary gland, which does not stop with the beginning or end of menstruation, may be pregnancy, hormonal disorders or gland diseases. First of all, a pregnancy test can be performed, and if the test is negative, it will be diagnostic criterion for a doctor.

But in some cases, a negative test may be unreliable. In any case, if your breasts begin to hurt after your period or continue to hurt from the moment before your period and does not stop, this is a reason to consult a doctor to determine the cause of the pain. Treatment should be started as early as possible.