What does breast tenderness mean

These hormones cause your breasts to swell and can lead to tenderness. If you become pregnant, your breasts may remain sore during the first trimester as hormone production ramps up. Breast tenderness is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy for many women. Steps you can take to minimize sore breasts include:. Like any part of your body, breasts can be injured.

This can happen because of an accident, while playing sports or from breast surgery. You may feel a sharp, shooting pain at the time of injury.

Tenderness can linger for a few days up to several weeks after trauma to the breast. Without proper support, the ligaments that connect breasts to the chest wall can become overstretched and painful by the end of the day.

The result is achy, sore breasts. This may be especially noticeable during exercise. Make sure your bra is the correct size and provides good support.

What feels like breast pain may actually be coming from your chest wall. This is the area of muscle, tissue and bone that surrounds and protects your heart and lungs. Common causes of chest wall pain include:. Breastfeeding can sometimes be the source of breast pain.

Your breasts will appear enlarged and your skin will feel tight and painful. If you cannot feed your baby soon, you can try pumping or manually expressing your milk. You can do this by placing your thumb on top of your breast and your fingers underneath your breast. Slowly roll your fingers back against your chest wall and forward toward your nipples to empty your breast. Signs your baby may not be latching properly include cracking nipples and nipple soreness.

A lactation consultant at the hospital where you gave birth can typically help you establish a healthier latch. See your doctor or call a lactation specialist if you are having difficulty breastfeeding. You can also visit La Leche League International to find a certified lactation consultant in your area. The foods a woman eats may contribute to breast pain. Women who eat unhealthy diets , such as those high in fat and refined carbs, may also be at greater risk for breast pain.

Antidepressants, hormone therapy, antibiotics, and medications for heart disease can all contribute to breast pain. Smoking is known to increase epinephrine levels in the breast tissue. Breast pain is not usually linked to breast cancer. Having breast pain or fibrocystic breasts does not mean you are at higher risk of developing cancer. However, lumpy tissue may make it harder to see tumors on a mammogram.

If you have breast pain that is localized in only one area and that is consistent through the month with no fluctuations in pain level, call your doctor.

Examples of diagnostic tests can include:. Treatment will vary depending on whether your breast pain is cyclical or noncyclical. Before treating you, your doctor will consider your age, medical history, and the severity of your pain. Treatment for noncyclical pain will depend on the cause of the breast pain. Once the cause is identified, your doctor will prescribe specific related treatments.

If your breast pain is sudden and accompanied by chest pain, tingling, and numbness in your extremities, seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms can indicate a heart attack. At your appointment, you can expect your doctor to ask you about your symptoms.

Questions could include:. Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam. They may also recommend imaging tests, like a mammogram , to visualize your breast tissue. This could allow them to identify cysts in your breast tissue. If you have cystic breasts, your doctor might do a needle biopsy. This is a procedure where a thin needle is inserted into the cyst to remove a small sample of tissue for testing. You can book an appointment with a primary care doctor in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool.

Read this article in Spanish. Sore or sensitive breasts are a common issue for many men and women. Here's what may be causing sensitivity and how to treat it. Just as fingers and feet swell, so can breasts. All that fluid forces breast tissue to expand, which stretches the nerves and makes breasts feel achy or tender.

Breast swelling and tenderness can also be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Be sure to talk to a parent or doctor right away if you might be pregnant. Most PMS symptoms, including breast soreness, should disappear as your period begins. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, might be helpful.

Wearing a supportive bra might help. Healthy eating, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep are really your best bets for easing the ache. You might try cutting down on salty foods and foods that contain caffeine , like coffee, tea, and even chocolate.

Try caffeine-free soda or herbal tea instead. Some girls find that eating a diet rich in calcium helps with PMS symptoms. If you're tired, take a rest! Snuggle on the couch with your pillow and watch a good movie. Sometimes getting your mind off your aches is the best thing you can do. Sometimes these tips won't help you feel better. Maybe the pain is a little sharper this time, or maybe it lasted longer than usual, or maybe you just want to get it checked out.

You don't need to sit at home and worry — visit your doctor. Let your doctor know about your concerns. The doctor sees patients all the time for things that may seem silly, but if you're worried, then it's not dumb.

Although you may feel a little embarrassed to ask about breast pain or about a lump, there's no need to. A breast exam is a quick and painless procedure.