Overview

There are many reasons breasts can be painful. It's not usually anything serious, but see a GP if the pain does not improve or you are worried about your symptoms.

Causes of breast pain

Breast pain is usually linked to periods. Sometimes it can be caused by a health condition or medicine.

Breast pain linked to periods

Breast pain linked to periods usually:

• begins up to 2 weeks before a period, gets worse and then goes away when the period ends
• feels dull, heavy or aching
• affects both breasts and sometimes spreads to the armpit

Other causes of breast pain

Other causes of breast pain include:

• injuries or sprains to the neck, shoulder or back – these can be felt as breast pain
• medicines like the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and some antidepressants
• conditions like mastitis or a breast abscess
• pregnancy
• hormone changes during the menopause
• a badly fitting or unsupportive bra

Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer.

Things you can do to ease breast pain

To help ease breast pain:

• take paracetamol or ibuprofen, or rub painkilling gel on your breasts
• wear a properly fitted bra during the day and a soft bra to sleep in

There's little evidence that vitamin E tablets or evening primrose oil help with breast pain.

When and where to get medical help

Breast pain is common and is not usually a sign of anything serious, but it's best to get it checked.

See a GP about breast pain if:

• you have changes to your breast like a lump, swelling, changes to the nipple, or the skin on your breast looks or feels dimpled (like orange peel)
• it's not improving or painkillers are not helping
• there's a history of breast cancer in your family
• the pain is new or different for you
• you are worried about it

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 Wales if:

• you have breast pain and have a very high temperature or feel hot and shivery
• any part of your breast is hot, swollen or has a change in colour – on black or brown skin it may look darker than usual, on white skin it may look red