Breast Tenderness

[Oxajil]

Didn't know if I should post this here or in "What's on your mind'', so please feel free to put this in the other if you think it would fit better there.

Ehm, some moments of my life I experience this sudden pain (sting) in my left chest-area. It gives me a hard time breathing; I need to breath in and out "quickly", so I can't breath "fully", because if I breath in too much the pain increases. After some minutes the pain goes away and I can breath normally. One time it got quite worse and I started to think about ''okay this time it's gonna be hospital and all that!" But after some (more than usual) minutes it was gone, just like that, completely gone.
Someone told me it's because I put my hand/arm under my chest/belly area when I sleep on my side, so I stopped doing that and ye it kinda got away, but it does keep coming back!

And now I noticed that this pain is somehow "connected" to the pain I feel in my breasts when they're pressed. Some days ago when I laid on my side that pain came back and I had troubles breathing (not really trouble with breathing, but I couldn't breath normally, cause otherwise the pain would increase - and that really hurts!), this time it lasted the WHOLE night! So I just tried to fall in sleep asap so I wouldn't feel the pain that much.

So I searched the web for this (knowledge protects :P) but I couldn't find that much about it, because I was not using the right keywords.
(today I was searching for articles about vitamin C and how it might ''cure'' you from diseases and while reading one I stumbled upon the words ''breast tenderness'', well I didn't know what ''tenderness'' meant, but I typed those two words in google and there was the info I was looking for (thank you God/Universe)!)

This is what I found:

source: _http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/003152.htm

Breast Pain

Alternative Names
Pain - breast; Mastalgia; Mastodynia; Breast tenderness

Definition
Breast pain is any discomfort or pain in the breast.

Considerations
There are many possible causes for breast pain. For example, hormone level changes related to menstruation or pregnancy are often responsible for breast tenderness. Some degree of swelling and tenderness just before your period is normal.

Although many women with pain in one or both breasts may fear breast cancer, breast pain is NOT a common symptom of cancer.

Boys and men have breast tissue. If a male has breast tissue that can be seen, the condition is called gynecomastia. Adolescent boys can have some breast swelling and tenderness as a part of normal development. This is due to hormone changes, and is similiar to breast tenderness in women.

Causes

Some degree of breast tenderness is normal. The discomfort may be caused by hormonal changes due to:

    * Menopause (unless a woman is taking hormone replacement therapy)
    * Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome(PMS)
    * Pregnancy -- breast tenderness tends to be more common during the first trimester and in women who are pregnant at a young age
    * Puberty in both girls and boys

Soon after childbirth, your breasts may become swollen with milk. This can be very painful and is usually accompanied by swelling. If you also have an area of redness, call your health care provider. Breastfeeding itself may also cause breast pain.

Other common causes of breast pain include:

    * Alcoholism with liver damage
    * Injury
    * Infection of the breast tissue (mastitis)

Fibrocystic breast changes are also a common cause of breast pain. Fibrocystic breast tissue contains lumps and bumps that tend to be more tender just before your menstrual period.

Certain medications may also cause breast pain, including digitalis preparations, methyldopa (Aldomet), spironolactone (Aldactone), certain diuretics, Anadrol, and chlorpromazine.

Shingles can lead to pain felt in the breast if the painful blistering rash appears on the skin over one of your breasts.

and _http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/breast-tenderness.htm

Many women experience breast tenderness around the time of menstruation or during pregnancy, when the hormones estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone are in flux. As with menstruation and pregnancy, menopause involves hormonal fluctuations, and; thus, can also cause breast tenderness and pain.

So it seems that hormones are involved, this could be true in my case, because now I have PMS and this pain (that night) happened some days ago, which would be the period when my progesterone and estrogen levels were high.

at _http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/breast-premenstrual-tenderness-and-swelling-dictionary.htm
we read:

Considerations

Symptoms of premenstrual breast tenderness may range from mild to severe. Symptoms typically peak just before each menstrual period and improve immediately after or during the menstrual period.

I'll be checking on this! I hope it's true in my case.

Breast tissue may have dense, rough, "cobblestone" feel to the fingers -- usually more marked in the outer areas. There may also be an intermittent or persistent sense of breast fullness with dull, heavy pain, and tenderness.

During the menstrual cycle, estrogen production increases and peaks just prior to midcycle. This causes enlargement of the breast ducts. Premenstrually, progesterone peaks near the 21st day (in a 28-day cycle) and causes growth of the breast lobules (milk glands).

Premenstrual swelling and tenderness of the breasts is commonly associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and fibrocystic breast disease (benign breast changes). The cause of fibrocystic breast disease is not completely understood, but is believed to be associated with ovarian hormones since the condition usually gets better with menopause.

Premenstrual breast tenderness and swelling probably occur to some degree in nearly all women. Symptoms severe enough to cause concern or limit function may occur in as many as 60% to 70% of women during their childbearing years. The incidence may be lower in women taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills). Risk factors may include family history and diet (excessive dietary fat or caffeine intake).

Here I read: _http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/breast-lump-self-exam-dictionary.htm

Then, while sitting or standing, examine your armpit (commonly skipped) because breast tissue extends to that area.

This is interesting, because when I was experiencing that severe pain, it wasn't really only in my breast, but it was the whole left back/breast/armpit area.

There's another thing that I've noticed. I work behind a paying-desk in a shop and so I work a lot with plastic bags and that pain that comes from my left chest area comes back a little when I inhale too much of this plastic''air'' (so maybe maybe my lung could be involved here?).
Weird huh....

The last few days I've been spraying MagnesiumChloride to both breast area's (I also feel pain in my right area, but not as much as in my left) and the pain has been a bit less, but it's not gone completely (yet)..

I'd like to ask you if you've had any such experiences and what you think is happening to me (fwiw: i'm 19) or what I should do. Should I just go and check it with the doctor? I'm just kind of afraid that she might prescribe antibiotics or something for me u know.

(btw this breast tenderness started just a few months ago, I never experienced this before that time)

Thanks for reading.

 

[Gaby]

For PMS, progesterone cream works wonders: http://hormonewell.com/ This is a natural progesterone that does not require prescription and it can help you with your pre and menstrual problems. It does help and it doesn't have the adverse effects of the prescription drugs. Have a look here for more info in the benefits:
http://www.vitalzym.co.uk/natprobenefits.htm
http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/

This is my second cycle on the cream and I'm starting to be regular for the first time in my life :)

But, pain when breathing means in general pleuresy (inflammation of the outer layers/linings of your lungs) which can have a number of reasons, most frequently a lung infection. It could even mean gallstones (biliary colic and pancreatitis which can produce pleuresy as well). It could also mean costochondritis, an inflammatory pain rooted in the rib cage, in front (and we are generally more inflamed during PMS). I dunno, perhaps doing a google search of those terms will help you see if it is the case or not.

Have you been on the diet? Or are you taking supplements? This will be of most benefit. If the pain persists, I will visit the doctor... Sometimes antibiotics are lifesaving if that is what you are afraid of. And then remember you can recover and restore your gut bacteria with probiotics, diet and other supplements.

 

[Bo]

Sis, you might wanna check this out;

http://www.viha.ca/NR/rdonlyres/84173110-9307-4E0A-99A1-72D59A978CDA/0/BreastPain.pdf

Breast Pain or Mastalgia:
• Breast pain is one of the most common breast problems, affecting up to 70% of women at
some time in their life.
• Breast pain is considered normal rather than a disease.
• Women can have varying degrees of breast pain from mild to moderate to severe. This
may affect one or both breasts or radiate into the armpit.
• Approximately 15% of women have severe pain requiring treatment.
• In general, breast pain alone is rarely a sign of cancer.
There are three types of breast pain:
1. Cyclical Breast Pain
• This pattern occurs in premenstrual women in association with the menstrual cycle due
to hormonal variations and women usually feel increased pain before a period and a
reduction of pain after the period.
• Hormonal fluctuations can also cause cyclical breast pain in young females approaching
menarche (when menstruation begins), with pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in women
approaching menopause.
• It accounts for about 75% of all breast pain reported and it can be present with or without
associated lumpiness of the breast (fibrocystic breast condition)
• Stress can also affect hormone levels and this may influence breast pain.
• Hormone replacement can produce the same pain and swelling, only it tends not to go
away.
2. Non-cyclical Breast Pain
• This less common pattern of breast pain is not related to the menstrual cycle.
• Pain can be felt in one specific area of the breast (referred to as “Target-Zone” breast
pain) or it may be found in both breasts. The woman experiencing non-cyclical breast
pain can point to exactly where it hurts.
• Pain can be the result of trauma to the breast or at the site of a previous breast biopsy.
• Doctors do not know what causes this type of continuous pain, which may last 1 to 2
years and then disappear.
• It occurs in both pre- and post-menopausal women, yet it is most common in women 40-
50 years.
• Cancer must be ruled out in women with target zone pain, although cancer occurrence is
rare.
3. Non-Breast Origin Pain
• This category is not actually a form of breast pain, but to a woman it may feel like it
comes from the breast.
• This pain is found in the middle of the chest and it does not change with the menstrual
cycle. This pain usually goes away in time.
• “Costochondritis” is the medical term for this arthritic pain that occurs where the ribs
and breast cone connect. Poor posture, too much exercise, and the aging process can
contribute to increased stress on these joints.
Evaluation of breast pain
• It is important to identify the place, strength and duration of the breast pain, as well as
how much the pain interferes with woman’s daily activities.
• Individual assessment includes a woman’s history, physical exam, and if needed,
ultrasound or mammogram (if over 35 years).
• Completing a pain chart may help to define the pain pattern.
Treatment of Breast Pain
• Reassurance that symptoms are not due to cancer is the first and most successful
treatment.
• Use of a comfortable and supportive bra
• Dietary changes:
Evidence is not conclusive, but some women find it helpful to:
Eliminate caffeine (methylxanthines) present in coffee, tea, cola drinks and chocolate;
Eat a low fat diet, reduce meat and dairy intake, increase grains, fruit, and vegetables;
Reduce salt intake.
• Vitamin supplementation
• Talk to your physician or nurse about recommended doses (Vitamin E, Evening Primrose
Oil, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
• Relaxation techniques:
Learning how to fully relax the body can reduce stress hormone levels that may affect the
breasts. Many women have found meditation and visualization to be very helpful in
quieting the mind
Routine physical exercise reduces body fat and decreases the production of estrogen,
which works together to help decrease pain. Exercise causes an increase in endorphins,
which in turn decreases breast tenderness and fluid retention.
• Cyst Aspiration: Fluid-filled cysts (if large enough) can be drained to relieve pain. These
cysts sometimes refill
• Surgical removal: Biopsy is uncommon and is not generally recommended.
• Medication:
A rare case of disabling breast pain may need mediation. In severe cases, medication
could be prescribed, but many have unwanted side effects. Your doctor may prescribe
aspirin and/or anti-inflammatory agents to help relieve costochondritis.

I'll be checking on this! I hope it's true in my case.

yes keep it in some kind of journal, when and how severe the pain is!

I'm just kind of afraid that she might prescribe antibiotics or something for me u know.

We should go to the doctor this week, and just see what he says , in the meanwhile write a journal about your pain and how sever it is, the days, time etc.

 

[Oxajil]

For PMS, progesterone cream works wonders: http://hormonewell.com/  This is a natural progesterone that does not require prescription and it can help you with your pre and menstrual problems.  It does help and it doesn't have the adverse effects of the prescription drugs.  Have a look here for more info in the benefits:
http://www.vitalzym.co.uk/natprobenefits.htm
http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/

This is my second cycle on the cream and I'm starting to be regular for the first time in my life :)

Thanks psyche, I'll do some research on it and see what I'll do.

But, pain when breathing means in general pleuresy (inflammation of the outer layers/linings of your lungs) which can have a number of reasons, most frequently a lung infection.  It could even mean gallstones (biliary colic and pancreatitis which can produce pleuresy as well).  It could also mean costochondritis, an inflammatory pain rooted in the rib cage, in front (and we are generally more inflamed during PMS).  I dunno, perhaps doing a google search of those terms will help you see if it is the case or not. 

Thanks! I'll definitely will.

Have you been on the diet?  Or are you taking supplements?  This will be of most benefit.  If the pain persists, I will visit the doctor...  Sometimes antibiotics are lifesaving if that is what you are afraid of.  And then remember you can recover and restore your gut bacteria with probiotics, diet and other supplements.   

I do take the flax seed oil 2 tbsp a day, spirulina and eat vegetables/fruits regularly. I just need to try to not eat much bread as I eat now.. 
Ye antibiotics... when I read the whole thing about Candida, it scared me, but if there's no way out and the doctor recommends it as well I'll use it.

Thanks Bo for that article.

What I'm gonna do now is to observe myself for two months to see if it's really cyclical or continuous etc. Then if it gets worse and worse, I'll go see the doctor. Thanks for the input. :)

 

[Laura]

Read the book: "From Hormone Hell to Hormone Well."

 

[Oxajil]

Read the book: "From Hormone Hell to Hormone Well."

Will do. Thanks!

 

[Arwenn]

For PMS, progesterone cream works wonders: http://hormonewell.com/ This is a natural progesterone that does not require prescription and it can help you with your pre and menstrual problems. It does help and it doesn't have the adverse effects of the prescription drugs. Have a look here for more info in the benefits:
http://www.vitalzym.co.uk/natprobenefits.htm
http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/

This is my second cycle on the cream and I'm starting to be regular for the first time in my life :)
<snip>

Over the last few months I have been getting a bit of breast tenderness related to my cycle-usually 10 days or so before my period and more so on my right breast. It goes a day or so before I get my period. I don't generally have cramps or PMS (well not since having kids, prior to that I was literally in agony) and I'm regular. I was considering using progesterone cream, and ordering from Vitacost as it is not easily available without a prescription here in Australia.

Gaby, could you recommend a brand, and how often you use it? The first link above doesn't sell the cream. Any suggestions from any of you gals would be very much appreciated :)

 

[MusicMan]

What may be worth considering is a lack of essential electrolytes. (Potassium, Calcium salts etc.) These salts are necessary for essential heart function, and the pain could be indicative of atrial fibrillation. (personal experience)
Either way, you need to consult a physician who can rule that out, sooner rather than later. Best Wishes.

 

[Arwenn]

What may be worth considering is a lack of essential electrolytes. (Potassium, Calcium salts etc.) These salts are necessary for essential heart function, and the pain could be indicative of atrial fibrillation. (personal experience)
Either way, you need to consult a physician who can rule that out, sooner rather than later. Best Wishes.

Hi MusicMan, thanks for chiming in. I don't think this is an electrolyte imbalance to be honest. I take a magnesium supplement (which also has potassium) and I put Himalayan salt in my water. I don't have any cramping, PMS or otherwise cramps though, so I'm thinking it's more to do with estrogen vs progesterone in my cycle.

 

[Gaby]

Gaby, could you recommend a brand, and how often you use it? The first link above doesn't sell the cream. Any suggestions from any of you gals would be very much appreciated :)

I recently got progesterone cream. Got it from ebay. There are all sorts of restrictions for progesterone cream where I live. Last time I purchased it from a normal website and the pharmaco-vigilance department at the border interceded and my product got turned away. But in ebay, there are shipping contracts and it is likely your package will arrive without interference when purchased there through someone who has an international delivery pact. They have a special logo to indicate a special "security" for international deliveries.

Same with DMSO cream. I bought the cream from ebay and the liquid from amazon.co.uk. The cream came from the US without problems, and the liquid from a EU country without restrictions. First time around, I bought it from a normal US website and the package got turned away at the border.

If you have a friend in the US, you can ask her/him to ship you the progesterone cream as a gift. I wanted to do my international delivery experiment because I'm recommending these products to people, so I wanted to find out how easily or not they could get it.

I'm using Source Natural's progesterone cream to help me out with adrenal fatigue. I noticed some effects immediately: my period came at a more decent time and it also had a diuretic effect. I also slept better and felt more relaxed. I'm planning to use it for 2 or 3 more months before I take a break.

It is good stuff to have!

My 2 cents :)

 

[Nancy2feathers]

For PMS, progesterone cream works wonders: http://hormonewell.com/ This is a natural progesterone that does not require prescription and it can help you with your pre and menstrual problems. It does help and it doesn't have the adverse effects of the prescription drugs. Have a look here for more info in the benefits:
http://www.vitalzym.co.uk/natprobenefits.htm
http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/

This is my second cycle on the cream and I'm starting to be regular for the first time in my life :)
<snip>

Over the last few months I have been getting a bit of breast tenderness related to my cycle-usually 10 days or so before my period and more so on my right breast. It goes a day or so before I get my period. I don't generally have cramps or PMS (well not since having kids, prior to that I was literally in agony) and I'm regular. I was considering using progesterone cream, and ordering from Vitacost as it is not easily available without a prescription here in Australia.

Gaby, could you recommend a brand, and how often you use it? The first link above doesn't sell the cream. Any suggestions from any of you gals would be very much appreciated :)

Hi Arwenn. When I was going through perimenopause, I used wild yam root as a natural form of progesterone. I applied the cream form daily with a break of 5-7 days. I had great success with the cream and it really helped as I entered this new stage of life. In case you haven`t seen it, the thread on perimenopause talks about natural progesterone. I`m sorry, I don`t remember the brand I used.

 

[Arwenn]

I recently got progesterone cream. Got it from ebay. There are all sorts of restrictions for progesterone cream where I live. Last time I purchased it from a normal website and the pharmaco-vigilance department at the border interceded and my product got turned away. But in ebay, there are shipping contracts and it is likely your package will arrive without interference when purchased there through someone who has an international delivery pact. They have a special logo to indicate a special "security" for international deliveries.

Same with DMSO cream. I bought the cream from ebay and the liquid from amazon.co.uk. The cream came from the US without problems, and the liquid from a EU country without restrictions. First time around, I bought it from a normal US website and the package got turned away at the border.

If you have a friend in the US, you can ask her/him to ship you the progesterone cream as a gift. I wanted to do my international delivery experiment because I'm recommending these products to people, so I wanted to find out how easily or not they could get it.

I'm using Source Natural's progesterone cream to help me out with adrenal fatigue. I noticed some effects immediately: my period came at a more decent time and it also had a diuretic effect. I also slept better and felt more relaxed. I'm planning to use it for 2 or 3 more months before I take a break.

It is good stuff to have!

My 2 cents :)

Hi Gaby, thanks for letting me know. We have restrictions here too, progesterone cream can only be obtained with a Rx. I was looking at eBay as well for the same reasons you mention above. Good to know that the cream can help with adrenal fatigue too, I've no doubt got a bit of that going on as well :)

 

[Arwenn]

For PMS, progesterone cream works wonders: http://hormonewell.com/ This is a natural progesterone that does not require prescription and it can help you with your pre and menstrual problems. It does help and it doesn't have the adverse effects of the prescription drugs. Have a look here for more info in the benefits:
http://www.vitalzym.co.uk/natprobenefits.htm
http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/

This is my second cycle on the cream and I'm starting to be regular for the first time in my life :)
<snip>

Over the last few months I have been getting a bit of breast tenderness related to my cycle-usually 10 days or so before my period and more so on my right breast. It goes a day or so before I get my period. I don't generally have cramps or PMS (well not since having kids, prior to that I was literally in agony) and I'm regular. I was considering using progesterone cream, and ordering from Vitacost as it is not easily available without a prescription here in Australia.

Gaby, could you recommend a brand, and how often you use it? The first link above doesn't sell the cream. Any suggestions from any of you gals would be very much appreciated :)

Hi Arwenn. When I was going through perimenopause, I used wild yam root as a natural form of progesterone. I applied the cream form daily with a break of 5-7 days. I had great success with the cream and it really helped as I entered this new stage of life. In case you haven`t seen it, the thread on perimenopause talks about natural progesterone. I`m sorry, I don`t remember the brand I used.

Thanks for chiming in N2F, I will look up that thread as well. Sounds like its a must-have for me at the moment for sure.

 

[Soluna]

Hi Oxajil,

I would definitely mention it to your doctor, or perhaps ask to see a lady doctor if you see a male and he seems dismissive - despite being professionals, doctors are all different (I have found through experience) and pick up on different things and may see different symptoms as being indicative of different problems.

I often suffer breast tenderness, at different levels, throughout my cycle. My cycle has only become regular again this year after applying changes to my diet recommended here, but also after having a lot of investigation into my constant bleeding issues. Despite having 'normal' hormone screenings, and a clear ultrasound with no sign of Ovarian cysts - I have other symptoms of a poly-cystic ovary condition; which is probably another thing caused by the terrible diets we are brought up on unknowingly. I was prescribed a drug called Metformin (or glucophage) which is primarily prescribed to diabetics, as it reduces glucose absorption. However I was told it was also being given (with successful results) to women with poly-cystic ovaries, and I have certainly experienced my cycle becoming more regular.

I mention the latter because our diets have huge hormonal impacts, as I am sure you're coming across in your reading - and seemingly simple imbalances have far reaching consequences.

I hope you discover a solution and feel better soon, or find some help somewhere =)

 

[Soluna]

Another thought occurred to me on this subject.

As was rightly said breast tissue extends to the armpits - and another culprit for causing problems are chemicals in antiperspirants and deodorants. Maybe take a look at what ingredients are in whatever you are using, make sure you are not allergic to anything, and that the ingredients are nothing sinister =)