A common teenage question right?
Teenage girls are often seen asking their mothers the reason why they are going through pain whenever they press their breasts. The main reason for this is growth and development. When a female is going through a growth face her body is meant to undergo a lot of changes and one such change is breast enlargement.
But breast pain does not only happen during this phase as females can also face this problem due to various other reasons. Let us explore this quest in an-in depth manner so that we can formulate an answer for why does my breast hurt when I press it?
Table of Contents
Breast Cysts
Your boobs can also hurt if you are suffering from breast cysts. Breast cysts are best described as fluid-filled sacs that are formed on the breasts. Breast cysts might differ in terms of size and number. These cysts can either shrink or swell during periods.
Do not fear, as breast cysts are extremely common. According to the latest research women are often the victim of breast cysts just because of their gender.
So in case you are wondering why my boobs hurt, it can be because of the presence of breast cysts. Although benign in general, breast cysts can be malignant and thus needs to be removed.
Hormonal Imbalances
A woman’s body can go through a number of changes during a lifetime. But a high time for hormonal changes is during ovulation, menstruation, and pregnancy.
At the start of every month, the female sex hormones can lead to the development of an egg, and its destruction if there is no sperm. This process is where the body discards unnecessary tissue so that the body is prepped up for pregnancy is known as menstruation. Here is why menstruation is an important process for females.
During this time, a woman’s body is high on hormones which can cause tender breasts. Therefore breast pressing during such times can cause you to feel pain.
These hormonal shifts are known as cyclic mastalgia or fibrocystic changes. All women around the world experience this at one point in their lives. Moreover, tender breasts can also be the first and initial signs of early pregnancy.
In addition to all this, your breasts can also hurt because your period might be on its way.
Breast Abscesses
A breast infection can often lead to breast abscesses. This can either happen because of a complication or in those mothers who choose not to breastfeed their children.
But if a woman is not breastfeeding then a breast abscess can develop because of being overweight or having nipple piercings.
Whatever the cause of breast abscesses, it can lead to severe breast pain.
Read More: Some of the common breastfeeding questions
Breast Tumors
One of the main causes of breast pain is a breast tumor. Breast tumor occurs when a tissue undergoes multiplication aggressively which leads to the development of mass on the breast.
If left unattended breast tumors can lead to breast cancer. Here are some myth busting facts about breast cancer.
Most breast tumors, although painless, can cause pain if you press your breast. Breast tumors can hurt the most if the tumor is inflammatory.
Inflammatory breast tumor is a rare type of breast tumor that affects mostly 1 to 5% of the female population.
Mastitis
Your breasts can also hurt if they are infected. Mastitis is a condition in which a person has to deal with infections of the breast tissue. Women who are breastfeeding are often the victims of mastitis. The main causes of this condition are either a blocked milk duct or an infection of the mammary glands because of bacteria.
Mastitis leads to the swelling of the breast and that is why when you are pressing your breasts it leads to discomfort and pain. This condition also causes redness, itching, and heat sensation on the breasts.
Dr. Sarah Perveze, a renowned family physician serving at MD center, said that if not catered to on the right time, then mastitis can lead to breast abscess which might require medical assistance.
Breast Injuries
It is possible for you to hurt your breast just like the other parts of your body. In case you feel pain during a breast press, it might be an indication of a bruise or injury that your body is recovering from.
Furthermore, aggressive exercise can also cause chest muscles to overwork which might lead to pain in the breast.
Medications
Medical Health experts of Kulsum International Hospital say that breast pain can also be painful because of the use of certain medications. If a female is taking some medications for hormonal issues then these medicines can lead to some complications. Along with other health issues such as shortness of breath, breast pain is also a common problem.
Some of these medications that can cause your breast to hurt are as follows:
- Spironolactone
- Diuretics
- Methyldopa
- Birth control pills
- Dioxin
Signs and Symptoms that You Should Consult a Doctor
Given below are some signs that are a clear indication that you need professional assistance regarding breast pain:
- Lump in the breast
- Severe case of redness or itchiness on the breast
- Pain in either one or both breasts
- Redness and swelling that is not minimizing after a day or two
- Drainage from the breast that might indicate an infection
A Word from Healthwire
Breast pain can prove to be a subtle indication of an underlying health complication that needs to be properly diagnosed and addressed. Therefore it is important to understand why my breasts hurt when I press them. Proper information and right guidance can block many health complications at the right time.
You can consult with the best gynecologists via healthwire if you are experiencing pain during a breast press. They will guide you properly in these matters.
Till then stay happy and stay safe!