Why Does My Breast Hurt So Much?

During normal times, when a woman suddenly experiences severe breast pain, the first step is to confirm whether she is in her menstrual cycle. If she is, the pain is often due to breast development and increased estrogen secretion, which is a normal physiological phenomenon. Breast massage and hot compresses can be used to relieve the pain. If the pain occurs outside of the menstrual cycle, it is necessary to consider whether there are symptoms such as breast cancer, breast hyperplasia, atypical breast hyperplasia, or breast nodules. Therefore, it is best to visit a hospital for examination.

If there is no obvious pain in the breast but only pain in one armpit or the shoulder and back, it may indicate a malignant lesion. These subtle changes should not be ignored. Severe, persistent, burning pain in the breast that progressively worsens and is difficult to relieve spontaneously, accompanied by local necrosis or ulceration of the tumor or surgical incision and surrounding skin, is indicative of late-stage breast pain due to a malignant lesion. Mild, intermittent, or dull pain in the breast that occurs irregularly and is often overlooked due to its subtlety may also be a sign of early malignant breast disease, and should be taken seriously.

If the pain in the breast is episodic, often starting before menstruation or worsening during menstruation, and relieving or disappearing after menstruation, with a dull or stabbing sensation that may extend to the same side of the armpit or the shoulder and back, and with mild to moderate tenderness upon palpation, it is considered to be proliferative lesions.

Breast pain can be caused by various physiological factors, such as the first menstrual cycle during puberty, premenstrual syndrome, postpartum, after sexual activity, and after abortion.