Mastalgia is a medical term for pain in the breast, and can occur in men although it is more common in women. Mastalgia may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as swelling and skin changes, and depending on the cause, can be treated with pain relievers, antibiotics, warm compresses and rest. Consider this information derived from the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine about the causes of mastalgia.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding may be a cause of mastalgia in women, especially soon after childbirth. When the milk comes in a few days after giving birth, both of a woman's breasts can become painful and engorged. A poor or improper latch of the baby while breastfeeding or using a breast pump incorrectly can also cause mastalgia as well as bleeding, dry or cracked nipples.
Mastitis
Mastitis is a medical term for a bacterial infection of the breast, and commonly occurs during breastfeeding although it can occur in women at other times as well as in men. Mastalgia is a symptom of breast infections, and other symptoms include redness or red streaks across the breast, and a firm lump may be felt if the infection is caused by a plugged milk duct.
Medications
Taking certain types of medications may cause mastalgia in women. Women who use hormonal medications, including oral contraceptives, fertility drugs and hormone replacement therapy for symptoms of menopause may experience mastalgia from the estrogen in these medications. Other medications that may cause mastalgia include antidepressants such as Zoloft.
PMS
Mastalgia may occur in women just before or during their periods as a result of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms of mastalgia during PMS may be accompanied by swelling of both breasts. Women with mastalgia during PMS may also find that their bras are uncomfortable and too tight, and the skin of the breasts may be more sensitive than during other times of the menstrual cycle.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a cause of mastalgia in many women, and mastalgia that occurs during pregnancy may go away after the baby is born. Pregnancy usually causes a woman's breasts to grow, sometimes by one cup size or even more. Mastalgia during pregnancy is more common during the first few months of pregnancy and in women who are young in age.
Puberty
Both boys and girls may experience mastalgia during puberty, and this may occur off and on for several years during adolescence. Changing levels of sex hormones cause the breast tissue of girls to develop, and these changes can cause pain. Mastalgia during puberty may also be accompanied by tenderness of the skin of the breast and changes in the appearance of the nipple and areola.
Size
Breasts that are large in size may be a cause of mastalgia, especially in women. Larger breasts may not be well supported by certain types of bras, which can cause mastalgia as well as back aches. Women who have surgery to make their breasts smaller may also experience an extended period of pain at the surgical site.
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