Health Library
There are many reasons breasts can be painful. It’s not usually anything serious, but see a Doctor if the pain does not improve.
Causes of breast pain
Breast pain is usually linked to periods. Sometimes it can be caused by a health condition or medicine.
Breast pain linked to periods
Breast pain linked to periods usually:
- begins up to 2 weeks before a period, gets worse and then goes away when the period ends
- feels dull, heavy or aching
- affects both breasts and sometimes spreads to the armpit
Other causes of breast pain
Other causes of breast pain include:
- injuries or sprains to the neck, shoulder or back – these can be felt as breast pain
- medicines like the contraceptive pill and some antidepressants
- conditions like mastitis or a breast abscess
- pregnancy
- hormone changes during the menopause
Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer.
Things you can do to ease breast pain
To help ease breast pain:
- take medicines as prescribed by doctor to relieve pain
- wear a properly fitted bra during the day and a soft bra to sleep in