Mastalgia: Description And Causes

Mastalgia is a medical term that refers to chest pain. It is common in women, especially in women of reproductive age who have not yet reached menopause.

There can be many of these types of pain due to various reasons. About 70% of women say they have experienced it at some point in their lives.

Yes, it can be quite bothersome, but the vast majority of cases simply have something to do with the period. So it is rarely a sign of serious illness.

However, there are times when mastalgia can also be a symptom of certain diseases. Breast cancer can even be a reason, even if it’s rare. Due to its heterogeneity, in this article we explain the most common causes of mastalgia. It is important to know what they are to determine if you should see a doctor.

What are the most likely causes of mastalgia?

First of all, it is important to note that mastalgia is usually caused by hormonal activity. During a woman’s menstrual cycle, the hormonal levels of estrogen and progesterone vary in certain phases.

After ovulation, the hormones remain elevated until the days before menstruation. Their function is to stimulate the mammary gland ducts to enlarge them. Also, the breasts begin to retain moisture. So the result is an increase in size that can lead to pain.

Mastalgia in such cases is cyclical. So breast pain follows a pattern that corresponds to the menstrual cycle. It increases just before menstruation. Some women may even experience it from the moment they start ovulating.

Also, this type of pain has certain characteristics. It usually affects the entire chest and the sensitivity in this area increases significantly. Some women experience problems when putting on a bra or they can feel the pain all the way down their armpits.

Causes of Non-Cyclic Mastalgia

Injuries

When mastalgia does not follow patterns and cannot be associated with hormonal changes, it is important to investigate other possible causes. For starters, you need to rule out that the pain is the result of some kind of blow or punch.

Medication

Also, talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking. Many medications can cause pain in this area as a side effect, especially certain antidepressants and hormonal therapies.

Operations

Previous breast surgery, even if it was a long time ago, can also lead to mastalgia. It is relatively common because some nerves are injured during surgical procedures. Scars can also cause this problem.

breast cysts

These are small sacs filled with fluid that form in the breasts. However, it is a benign and fairly common situation that does not require treatment unless it causes discomfort. These can occur at any age, although they are more common after menopause.

breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. However, it is very rare for it to manifest through mastalgia. In any case, it is important to rule this out. Therefore, a doctor must use diagnostic techniques such as the mammography.

How do doctors diagnose the cause of mastalgia?

To correctly diagnose the causes, a patient should share as much information as possible with her doctor about the symptoms present. You need to know which area is affected, for example if your whole chest hurts or just part of it. You also need to know when the pain appears and disappears again.

A doctor can also help you with certain additional tests to make a diagnosis. The most commonly used tests are mammography and ultrasound. In some cases, they can do a biopsy to determine the nature of the pathology.

Conclusion

Mastalgia is a common discomfort that almost all women experience at some point in their lives. Generally it is due to hormonal changes.

However, it is important to consult your doctor to clear up any doubts you may have. Your doctor can then either rule out a disease or make a correct diagnosis.