Causes of Chronic Breast Pain

Along with menstrual cramps and cyclical digestive problems, breast pain is one of the unspoken causes of chronic, recurrent pain for women. And, like many of the other issues affecting the female body, we feel compelled to stay silent about the discomfort it causes us. Breast pain affects almost all women at some point and ranges from a chronic tenderness to brief bouts of severe, sharp pain. Although uncomfortable, it is rarely cause for serious concern.

If you suffer from chronic breast pain, any of several underlying causes may be to blame. Here are a few of the most common causes of chronic breast pain, according to Mayo Clinic.

Premenstrual Syndrome

PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, can cause intense recurrent breast pain. Chronic breast pain often worsens directly before menstruation, often continuing into the first few days of a woman's cycle.

Pregnancy

Breast pain can be a chronic complaint during all stages of pregnancy. In early pregnancy, the fluctuation of reproductive hormones trigger tenderness. Later in pregnancy, the stretching of breast tissue to accommodate weight gain and lactation can cause intense pain.

Fibrocystic Breast Condition

Fibrocystic breasts are extremely common, affecting as many as half of women. These cause small, fibrous, lumpy cysts in both breasts. The pain and tenderness from fibrocystic breast disease can be chronic and severe.

Nutritional Problems

Nutritional imbalances, specifically caused by an imbalanced intake of fats, can cause the breasts to become more sensitive to reproductive hormones. Gamma linoleic acid, found in evening primrose oil, may help to prevent breast pain caused by nutritional deficiencies.

Birth Control

Synthetic estrogens and progestins, used in contraceptives, can mimic the hormonal changes associated with menstruation and fertility. Chronic breast pain is a common complaint among women using hormone-based birth control methods such as the the Pill, Depo-shot, birth control patch and Nuvaring.

Large Breast Size

For some women, breast size alone is enough to cause chronic breast pain. The pain associated with large breasts can radiate to the neck, back and shoulders. Although some women with this form of chronic pain choose to have breast reduction surgery, the complications from the surgery are often more painful than pre-existing discomfort.

If you continue to experience chronic breast pain, or if you notice any other troubling symptoms, get in touch with your primary health care provider. He or she can help you to determine a safe, effective method for managing your chronic breast pain.