Breast Pain

The Problem
You have pain in one or both breasts. You may also have swelling and tenderness.

Causes of Breast Pain
Premenstrual syndrome. Your breasts feel full and painfully tender. A good support bra and other self-care measures may help. Regular breast self-examination will make you familiar with menstrual lumpiness. If you recognize a new or different lump, call your nurse information service or doctor. The best time for breast self-exam is immediately following the end of your period.

Mastitis. You are breast-feeding, your nipples are dry and slightly cracked, and bacteria have produced an infection, making an area of your breast swollen, red, painful or tender, and hot. It is best if you drain the infected breast by nursing more frequently on that side or by using a breast pump. Use hot compresses to massage the tender area while nursing or pumping. You may need antibiotics.

Milk production. Breast discomfort is very common a few days after childbirth. This is usually the result of breast engorgement when milk is produced. It is usually relieved by breast-feeding. Hot showers and compresses can help.

Fibrocystic disease. You have lumpy, tender breasts, especially the week before menstruation, or you have several distint, rounded lumps that move freely inside the breast tissue. The pain can be severe. This condition is more common in older women and can be treated through dietary restrictions, vitamins, hormones, or removal of fluid from cysts.

Self-Care Measures
If your pain is premenstrual, try nonimpact exercise, such as walking, swimming, or biking. Wear a good support bra, not just while exerccising, but at all times, even in bed. Ibuprofen may help; so may ice packs.

Avoid salt, chocolate, coffee, tea, sodas, and other products containing cafferine, including certain cold preparations. If the discomfort from fluid retnetion lasts, call your nurse information service or doctor.

If you have mastitis, acetaminophen may help.

Prevention
To avoid sore or cracked nipples during breast-feeding, make sure the nipple is positioned far back enough in the infant's mouth. Proper positioning and latch-on will resolve this problem.