What causes nipple pain?

Women must pay special attention to their breast health. If nipple pain occurs, it is necessary to understand whether it is premenstrual pain, or whether the pain also occurs during pregnancy. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that it may be some breast disease problem.

1) Premenstrual breast pain: Premenstrual breast pain is caused by increased estrogen levels, breast hyperplasia, cell enlargement, and breast cell edema. This type of breast pain generally does not require treatment. Just pay attention to a light diet before menstruation.

2) Breast pain during pregnancy: Breast pain after pregnancy is caused by the placenta and villi secreting large amounts of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin, which causes breast hyperplasia and breast enlargement. This is a kind of physiological pain, which is in preparation for postpartum breastfeeding. Just change to a wider bra in time to support the growing breasts.

3) Postpartum breast pain: Postpartum breast pain is mostly caused by mastitis. In addition to breast pain, there will also be fever and local lumps in the breast, which is mainly caused by blocked milk ducts and milk accumulation. Therefore, breastfeeding should be started as soon as possible after delivery to prevent excessive accumulation of milk in the breasts.

4) Breast pain due to mammary hyperplasia: Breast pain due to mammary hyperplasia can radiate to the armpits, shoulders and back. When touching the breasts, you can feel movable lumps of varying sizes with unclear edges. It can also be affected by menstruation and emotions. This type of breast pain is caused by metabolic disorders, accumulation of metabolic waste, qi stagnation and blood stasis in the body. You can take some medicines to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis and regulate endocrine.

5) Mastodynia: Mastodynia manifests as dull pain, distending pain or stabbing pain, and the pain may radiate to the armpits, shoulders and upper limbs. On examination, there was only tenderness, but no mass. The first choice for treatment is traditional Chinese medicine that can soothe the liver and promote qi, relieve depression, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and regulate endocrine system.

6) Cancer-related breast pain: When breast pain persists, the pain is fixed and radiates to the shoulders and back, and there is a feeling of weight in the shoulders, there is a possibility of breast cancer. It should be taken seriously and go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible. The causes of breast pain are mostly physiological changes in the breast or benign breast diseases, but breast pain in postmenopausal women should be a cause of concern.