There can be many reasons why your breast may be tender and hurt. If you had a period a week ago you can rule out pregnancy, or if you are pregnant it could be too soon to tell. Up to 70% of women report having sore breasts at some point in their lives so it is usually nothing to worry about. It is very common and there can be many causes. If you have any concerns, consult a doctor.
The most common causes of painful breasts are:
PMS is pre-menstrual syndrome, during this time there is a dominance of estrogen in the body which can lead to swelling and water retention. This can make your breasts sore. This does usually occur a few days before your period but it is also possible to experience it at any time during the month so it is nothing to worry about if you experience PMS like symptoms at any other time in your cycle.
When women reach the menopause it is very common to have extended symptoms of PMS. Your body is going through a huge change and all of your hormones will be out of balance so it can lead to soreness all over your body, particularly in your breasts.
Certain types of medication can lead to soreness in the breasts. Medication such as oral contraceptives, antidepressants and a lot of drugs used in hormone replacement therapy. If you are on a medication that is causing uncomfortable side affects you should always talk to your doctor and ask for some advice.
If you have large breasts, this can lead to pain due to the extra weight. You should always wear a properly fitting bra that supports and lifts your breasts. If your breasts are causing neck, back or shoulder pain you should consult your doctor and consider breast reduction.
In the later stages of breast cancer, some women have pain in their breasts. This is usually only in the later stages of cancer so you should not worry but you should regularly check your breasts for lumps, changes or abnormalities.
