Patient's question:
When Aunt Flo comes, breast tenderness often occurs.Doctor's answer:
Here are some common types of breast pain in women:1. Pubertal Pain: The earliest breast pain in girls during puberty, usually occurring between the ages of 9 and 13. At this stage, a girl's breasts begin to develop. First, the nipples become prominent, and small, round, pea-sized or bean-sized hard lumps appear under the nipple area, accompanied by mild tenderness. After menarche, as the breasts mature, the pain typically resolves on its own.
2. Premenstrual Pain: More than half of women experience breast fullness, hardness, and tenderness before menstruation. In severe cases, even slight vibrations or collisions can cause discomfort, and existing granular or nodular sensations may become more pronounced. This is due to elevated estrogen levels before menstruation, leading to breast hyperplasia and interstitial edema. The changes usually disappear after menstruation.
3. Pregnancy Pain: Some women experience breast pain around 40 days into pregnancy due to the placenta and trophoblasts secreting large amounts of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, which cause breast hyperplasia and enlargement, leading to pain. In severe cases, the pain may persist throughout the pregnancy and does not require treatment.
4. Postpartum Pain: Between 3 and 7 days after delivery, women often experience breast fullness, hardness, and pain. This is primarily caused by lymphatic retention, venous congestion, interstitial edema, and blocked breast ducts. Prevention and treatment methods: Breastfeeding should be initiated as soon as possible. If hard lumps are present, warm compresses and massage can be applied before breastfeeding. A breast pump can also be used to express milk and promote duct unobstruction.
5. After Abortion: Some women report breast pain and lumps after an induced abortion. This occurs because the sudden interruption of pregnancy leads to a sharp drop in hormone levels, causing the newly developed breasts to stop growing abruptly, resulting in breast lumps and pain.