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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Pain Management Advisor

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Most cases of breast pain are classified as either cyclic or noncyclic. Each type of breast pain has distinct characteristics.

 

 

Breast pain characteristics
Cyclic breast pain Noncyclic breast pain
  • Clearly related to the menstrual cycle
  • Described as dull, heavy or aching
  • Often accompanied by breast swelling or lumpiness
  • Usually affects both breasts, particularly the upper, outer portions, and can radiate to the underarm
  • Intensifies during the two weeks leading up to the start of your period, then eases up afterward
  • More likely to affect women in their 20s and 30s before menopause as well as women in their 40s who are transitioning to menopause
  • Unrelated to the menstrual cycle
  • Described as tight, burning or sore
  • Constant or intermittent
  • Usually affects one breast, in a localized area, but may spread more diffusely across the breast
  • Most likely to affect women after menopause

Extramammary breast pain
The term extramammary means "outside the breast." Extramammary breast pain feels like it starts in the breast, but its source is actually somewhere else. Pulling a muscle in your chest, for example, can cause pain in your chest wall or rib cage.

When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if breast pain:

  • Continues daily for more than a couple of weeks
  • Occurs in one specific area of your breast
  • Seems to be getting worse over time
  • Interferes with daily activities

Although breast cancer risk is low in women whose main symptom is breast pain, if your doctor recommends an evaluation, it's important to follow through.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Golshan M, et al. Breast pain. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Dec. 17, 2012.
  2. Miltenburg DM, et al. Benign breast disease. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2008;35:285.
  3. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2013:5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-08373-7..00002-9&isbn=978-0-323-08373-7&about=true&uniqId=343863096-23. Accessed Dec. 17, 2012.
  4. Salzman B, et al. Common breast problems. American Family Physician. 2012;86:343.
  5. Pearlman MD, et al. Benign breast disease. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010;116:747.
  6. Rodden AM. Common breast concerns. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2009;36:103.
  7. Pruthi S, et al. Vitamin E and evening primrose oil for management of cyclical mastalgia: A randomized pilot study. Alternative Medicine Review. 2010;15:59.
  8. Parsay S, et al. Therapeutic effects of vitamin E on cyclic mastalgia. The Breast Journal. 2009;15:510.
  9. Evening primrose oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 18, 2012.
  10. Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 20, 2012.
  11. Pruthi S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 20, 2012.
DS00760 Jan. 16, 2013

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