IS IT PROPER WHEN BREASTS ARE STILL SORE AFTER A PERIOD ENDS?
Breast pain, or mastalgia, may cause discomfort and anxiety and undermine a person’s quality of life. Many people discover that their breasts feel tender or painful within the days leading up to a period. Most find that the pain goes away once their period begins. However, some may find that the pain doesn’t get away — even after their period has ended.
CYCLIC VS NON-CYCLIC BREAST PAIN
There are two primary categories of breast pain: non-cyclic and cyclic.
Cyclic breast pain happens at regular intervals and is said to be hormonal changes throughout the cycle.
Estrogen levels rise within the last half of the cycle. The increments can stimulate breast tissue, causing pain and swelling.
Estrogen levels also peak midway through the primary half of the cycle, before ovulation. This will cause cyclic breast pain that worsens after a period.
Cyclic breast pain is the most ordinary breast pain among premenopausal women. Breast pain is typically cyclic if it:
- Appears around the same time monthly
- Affects both breasts
- Causes the breasts to feel lumpier
Non-cyclic breast pain isn’t associated with the cycle, so it’s unrelated to any pattern. It will be constant or intermittent, always affecting just one breast.
CAUSES
Cyclic breast pains can sometimes cause breast soreness after a period ends. This will result from the estrogen level height during the cycle’s primary half.
However, breast soreness can occur for other reasons after a period ends.
Some possible causes of breast pain after a period ends:
PREGNANCY
Pregnancy causes hormonal changes, which will cause the breasts to become swollen and tender.
A person might not remember that they’re pregnant, particularly if they mistake early pregnancy spotting or implantation bleeding for a period. These sorts of bleeding are expected during the first stages of pregnancy.
Some other possible indications of early pregnancy include
- Tiredness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Increased discharge
- Constipation
- More frequent urination, particularly during the night
- Unusual tastes, smells, and cravings
A person should take a bioassay if they experience breast pain after having what they believe to be a period. This is often especially important if the person is experiencing other possible pregnancy symptoms.
MEDICATION
Several medicines can cause breast pain. A number of these include:
- Hormone replacement therapy drugs, which can trigger cyclic breast pain
- Certain hormone treatments
- Antibiotics
- Some antidepressants
A person should ask a doctor if their breast pain coincides with taking a replacement drug. They should never stop taking a medicine unless their doctor tells them it’s safe to try to do so.
BREAST OR MUSCLE INJURY
An injury to the breasts may create pain in one or both, counting on the damage situation.
Sustaining a punch to the breast may cause sudden and severe pain or pain that gently worsens. An individual can also notice a bruise develop on the breast. However, the breast doesn’t need to be bruised for the injury to be painful.
Sometimes, an injury to at least one of the following areas can cause pain in or near the breast:
- The arm
- In the chest
- The shoulder
MASTITIS
The medical term for infection of the breast tissue is mastitis. The condition can affect anyone, but it’s more common among breastfeeding people.
Mastitis symptoms tend to return quickly, typically affecting just one side breast. Symptoms may include:
- A flushed, painful, and swollen area on the breast
- Increased heat or warmth within the affected breast
- A burning pain that will be constant or only happen while breastfeeding
- A wedge-shaped lump within the breast
- White or blood-tinged nipple discharge
THRUSH
Thrush may be a sort of mycosis. It continuously develops thanks to the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans. This fungus lives harmlessly on a person’s skin but can occasionally multiply out of control and cause an infection.
Thrush can occur on any part of the skin, including the nipples. Breast, nipple, and thrush (BNT) are more common among breastfeeding people.
Possible symptoms of BNT include
- Itching, burning, or cracked nipples
- Nipples that appear flushed, shiny, or flaky
- A blister-like rash on the nipples
- Shooting pains within the breast during or after breastfeeding
- Intense nipple or breast pain that doesn’t improve following better latch-on or positioning during breastfeeding
REFERRED PAIN
Sometimes, pain from another body area feels as if coming from the breast.
- Costochondritis: This points to inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs. It typically causes shooting and sharp pain that worsens with movement or deep breath.
- Acid reflux: Sometimes, acid reflux creates a burning pain in the chest. A female may feel that the source of the pain is in her breast.
- Gallbladder issues: Some people with gallbladder issues complain about experiencing pain within the breasts. Gallbladder pain usually happens near the ribs on the right side of the body and should radiate to the back or shoulder blades.
BREAST CYST
Information from the Society of Breast Imaging suggests the only common benign explanation for breast pain may be a breast cyst. A cyst may be a sort of noncancerous, fluid-filled growth.
Breast cysts are often round or oval and home in size from a couple of millimeters to many centimeters. They’ll be hard or soft.
Some females have breast cysts but are unaware that they need them. Females may only notice a cyst once it becomes painful. This might happen thanks to hormonal changes or a rise in the size of the cyst.
CANCER
According to the American Cancer Society Trusted Source, carcinoma doesn’t usually cause pain. However, it can cause severe pain in some instances.
Other symptoms of carcinoma include
- A lump within the breast or armpit
- A hard lump that doesn’t move
- Thickening or swelling of breast tissue
- Change to the skin of the breast, like flushing, dimpling, or flaking
- Changes within the size or shape of the breast
- Pulling in the nipple
- Nipple pain
- Nipple discharge
WHEN TO ASCERTAIN A DOCTOR
Any female should see a doctor if she experiences any of the following:
- Cyclic breast pain that’s severe enough to undermine daily function
- A change within the pattern of cyclic breast pain
- Non-cyclic breast pain, which could signify an infection or disease
- Symptoms of illness, like flushing, swelling, and fever
- Pain with breastfeeding, which can indicate an infection
- Any lump or growth within the breast or armpit
- Any possible symptoms of carcinoma, like a change within the size, texture, or shape of the nipple or breast
TREATMENTS
The appropriate treatment for breast soreness after a period depends on the cause. Some treatment options include:
- Gentle massage for muscle injuries
- Birth control pills for cyclic breast pain
- Warm compresses and antibiotics for mastitis
- Antifungal medication for thrush
- Over-the-counter pain relievers for muscle injuries and cyclic breast pain
- Surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy for carcinoma
- Treating and managing any underlying health conditions, like gallstones or acid reflux
- Change medication type or dosage for drug-related breast pain
SUMMARY
Some potential causes of breast soreness after a monthly cycle has ended include injury, infection, and benign growth. In some cases, the condition causing the pain will clear up without medical treatment.
Less commonly, breast pain could also be a symbol of carcinoma. Anyone who experiences any possible carcinoma symptoms should see a doctor for a diagnosis. Early detection and treatment commonly improve the treatment outcome.
People should also seek medical treatment for non-cyclic and cyclic breast pain that changes the pattern or severely affects daily functioning. A doctor will work to diagnose the explanation for the pain and supply appropriate treatments.