Sore breasts: possible causes

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Extract from the article: Certaines femmes ont parfois mal à un sein ou aux deux. Des fois d’autres ont une sensation de brûlure de pincement ou seulement une gêne. Le spécialiste, Dr Jean-Christophe Ayao Gynécologue Obstétricien à la clinique « La harpe de David » (Lomé-Togo

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Some women experience pain in one or both breasts. Others experience a burning or pinching sensation, or just discomfort. Specialist Dr. Jean-Christophe Ayao, obstetrician and gynecologist at the « La Harpe de David » clinic in Lomé, Togo, discusses the possible causes of breast pain.

Chest pain is unpleasant, but most of the time the causes are benign: 70% of women have experienced breast pain at least once in their lives.

What kind of chest pain can I experience?

It's possible to experience a wide variety of breast pains: « a feeling of heaviness, tension, burning or pinching. All areas of the breast can be affected: at the nipple, in the gland in the outer part of the breast, unilaterally, i.e. a single breast, or bilaterally, i.e. two breasts », explains Dr. Jean-Christophe Ayao, obstetrician and gynecologist at the « La Harpe de David » clinic in Lomé. Pain can also radiate up to the arm.

Breast pain: causes when it's chronic

For non-menopausal women, recurring pain may be related to the menstrual cycle.The pain is felt in the outer part of both breasts, occurs before the period and subsides during it.This phenomenon occurs very frequently in a woman's life.

According to Dr. Jean-Christophe Ayao, obstetrician and gynecologist, « in post-menopausal women, chronic breast pain can be associated with surgery and radiotherapy for breast cancer. In this case, the pain is similar to burning and is disabling ». Women who wear prostheses for aesthetic purposes may also experience pain in the breast area. This can also be linked to prosthesis rupture.Pain can be bilateral or unilateral.

Causes when pain occurs suddenly

Pain that appears suddenly can be linked to trauma. « A sudden blow to the breast, a seatbelt stretched over the breast, an ill-fitting bra or a nursing mother are all potential causes of pain in the breast.There may be the presence of a benign tumor, also known as an adenofibroma, which can make a breast painful, or an area of the breast painful or embarrassing », emphasizes Dr. Jean-Christophe Ayao.More rarely, breast pain can be linked to cancer. « A sudden onset of pain in the chest is not necessarily breast-related: it could be shingles, a rib fracture, pneumonia or heart pain », he continues.

My breasts have changed

The obstetrician-gynecologist points out that pregnancy is the primary cause of breast changes.There may be hyperpigmentation of the nipple, a sensitive part of the breast.According to the specialist, the breast can change in the case of a benign tumour, hormone use (contraceptive pill or IUD), abscess, but also in the case of inflammatory breast cancer, which is rare but should be detected.

When should you seek medical advice?

The obstetrician-gynecologist explains that « you shouldn't hesitate to consult a doctor if the pain is sudden in onset, if you notice a change in the skin and nipple, if there's a discharge from the nipple, if there's the appearance of a fine line or wrinkle on the breast, which could be a symptom of breast cancer, and if you feel a lump ».

You can turn to your GP, who will carry out a detailed examination and refer you to a gynecologist.More generally, if the pain is bothersome, consult your doctor: most of the time, the cause is benign and does not require treatment.

William O.