Breast pain is a general complaint of younger women. Older women generally do not suffer from this pain. The pain can be in one breast or in both. It may not continuous but remain for one month and then subsides. Again it causes trouble to woman. There are number of reasons for this pain. These include hormone changes during your period, water retention, which may happen during your period, injury to breast, pregnancy, Breast-feeding (nursing), and an infection in the breast. Women may experience pain in their breasts many times. Lactating mother suffer from pain when their milk lets down. The letdown reflex is caused by the action of the hormone, oxytocin. Oxytocin stimulates the muscles of the breast to squeeze out milk. In the first few days after the birth, the hormone is released in response to baby suckling. Later on, when feeding baby, it can trigger this hormone release. Some mothers find that their breasts leak when this happens.
The letdown reflex feels different to different mothers. Some feel a slight tingling, some feel huge amounts of pressure and slight pain or discomfort and others feel nothing at all.
Most mothers do not know about the letdown reflex in the early days of breastfeeding, although they may be aware of after pains (the pains experienced after birth as their womb contracts down to its pre-pregnancy size - which is caused by the same hormone). As time passes and breastfeeding becomes established, most mothers feel less pain.
Women may experience severe pain when they produce excessive milk. Some women who produce great quantity of milk have painful twinges deep in the breast after feeds. Another reason for breast pain is that when yeast enters the milk ducts, (as a result of thrush) it can make breastfeeding painful. Thrush pain persists throughout the feed and is usually severe after feeds. However, thrush in the milk ducts is unusual. Engorgement can over-distend the milk-producing cells of the breast, making letdown difficult and sometimes painful. Mastitis or blocked ducts can cause an area of the breast to become red, sore, hard and inflamed. Other causes of breast pain are poor breast pump usage, a badly-fitting bra. Women must choose comfortable dresses.
Women should communicate all problems related to breast pain to their physicians. Physicians will assess the pain, taking into account the woman’s personal history, family history, the area of pain, the intensity and duration of the pain, and the extent to which the pain interferes with her lifestyle. Physicians will also do clinical breast examinations, and if necessary, order additional breast imaging exams (such as mammography or ultrasound) to help determine whether the pain is related to another breast condition or possibly cancer. If no breast abnormality is indicated, the physician and woman should decide together whether drug treatment is will be effective.
Treatment
Treatment for breast pain depends on causes. Doctor can converse about these treatments and choose one or more that give release to pain. Possible treatments for breast pain are wearing a support bra, taking an over-the-counter pain medicine. Women suffering from breast pain must avoid caffeine; use less salt, taking vitamin E or vitamin B6, Maintain an ideal weight, and nutritious diet.
Certain birth control pills may lessen breast pain. Patient must doctor if this therapy will work for her. If she has a breast infection, she will need antibiotics. She must consult doctor before taking any medicine. She must observe for signs of infection such as localized redness, nipple discharge, or fever. If she has these signs, she must immediately seek advice of medical doctor. In case of a breast injury, immediately apply a cold compress such as an ice pack (wrapped in a cloth but do not apply directly to the skin) for 15 to 20 minutes.
