When To Worry About Breast Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

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HealthlineSubscribeWhen to Worry About Breast Pain

Medically reviewed by Faith Selchick, DNP, AOCNP — Written by Rachael Zimlich, RN, BSN — Updated on July 2, 2025

When to contact a doctor
Causes of breast pain
Diagnosing breast pain
Treating breast pain
Takeaway

Occasional breast pain is typical. However, if this pain becomes persistent or worsens, it may be time to talk with a healthcare professional.

Breast pain can be worrisome, but it’s not usually a cause for concern.

Hormones play a big role in the development of breast tissue and the pain that can develop there. This is especially true in women, as hormone fluctuations cause ducts and glands in the breasts to grow and shrink in cycles.

When should you worry about breast pain?

Most causes of breast pain will go away on their own with time, medications, or lifestyle changes. However, if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with a doctor or healthcare professional for an evaluation and diagnosis:

a fever
discharge from your nipples
sudden increases in pain or changes
a painful lump or mass
discoloration or skin changes
pain in one specific area
pain not associated with your menstrual cycle

The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

This article will explore the causes of breast pain, as well as when to contact a healthcare professional and how they’ll diagnose your symptoms.

What typically causes breast pain?

While anyone can experience breast pain, it’s more common in people with female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play a big role in the fluctuation of breast tissue structure and size.

During significant hormonal shifts like pregnancy and while nursing, breast pain or tenderness is actually expected.

Most types of breast pain fit into two categories: cyclic and noncyclic breast pain.

Cyclic breast pain

Cyclic breast pain is linked to your menstrual cycle and is believed to be caused in part by hormone changes. Pain can develop at different points in this cycle. But it’s most common at the start of the cycle or during ovulation.

Cyclic breast pain is barely noticeable for some people and excruciating for others. It’s not uncommon for this pain to be felt in just one breast or the other. It is often a radiating pain that begins near the armpit.

Noncyclic breast pain

Noncyclic breast pain can occur at any time and is not linked to your menstrual cycle. This type of pain is pretty uncommon. It can be caused by all kinds of things, like trauma, an injury to the breast tissue, or even arthritic pain. The type of pain can vary, but it’s usually a continuous pain that is felt in one specific area of the breast. It can be sharp, dull, or radiating.

Cyclic and noncyclic causes of breast pain include things like:

traumatic injury
certain medications, such as birth control or antidepressants
infections like mastitis or a breast abscess
pregnancy
menopause
nursing
lack of proper support from a poorly fitting bra or exercise
rib injuries
muscle pain
inflammation
cysts
fibrotic tissue
breast cancer

How common is breast pain?

Approximately 70% of women experience breast pain at some point in their lives.

How will a healthcare professional diagnose breast pain?

Your doctor or healthcare professional will begin an examination for breast pain by asking you about your personal and family medical history. They’ll want to know which of your relatives — if any — have had breast cancer and at what age.

Genetic testing using your blood or saliva could provide clues about your cancer risk. But there are other considerations in your family history, too.

Your doctor or healthcare professional may suggest a one-time or regular mammogram to examine your breast tissue more closely. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women between the ages of 40 and 74 receive a mammogram at least once every 2 years. Get one more often if you have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Other tools that can help identify tissue changes, breast cancer, or other conditions may include:

blood testing
ultrasound imaging
CT scan
breast biopsy

Biopsies are the tool of choice when it comes to diagnosing breast lumps, which are often associated with a higher risk of cancer.

A mammogram is usually the go-to tool when it comes to diagnosing breast pain and other issues, but ultrasound imaging is sometimes more accurate in people under 30 years old. Mammograms are highly accurate at detecting cancer, though, especially in older adults.

Risk factors for breast cancer

Knowing your risks for breast cancer is important when it comes to breast health. Your family history contributes a lot to your overall risk. You and your doctor or healthcare professional should be aware of any family history or genetic mutations that may increase your chance of developing breast cancer.

Outside of family and genetics, other risk factors for breast cancer include:

being 50 years or older
early menstruation
late menopause
increased breast density (tissue that appears thicker on ultrasound)
prior radiation therapy
certain medication exposures
obesity
hormonal therapy
drinking alcohol
physical inactivity
not having children or having your first child after 30
not breastfeeding

What can you do to relieve breast pain?

Treatment of your breast pain depends on the cause. Breast cancer treatment is complex and depends on the cancer type and stage.

Most breast pain, however, can be addressed with medications or lifestyle changes. Some things that you can do to relieve breast pain:

Review your medications, including the type of birth control you use.
Make sure you have a good fit for your bra.
Lower your intake of salty or fatty foods.
Decrease your caffeine intake.
Use over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications.
Apply ice, a cold compress, or heating pads.
Use stress reduction or relaxation techniques.

Takeaway

Breast pain is common and usually not serious. Most women will experience breast pain at some point in their lives, but only a few will be diagnosed with a serious problem like cancer.

If you have concerns about your breast pain, talk with a doctor or healthcare professional about your symptoms. Be sure to follow their recommendations for regular screenings.

Discussing your risk factors — including family and genetic history — can help you and your healthcare professional make the best decisions regarding your breast health.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

A & B recommendations. (n.d.).https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-and-b-recommendations
Breast cancer risk factors. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/risk-factors/
Breast cancer: Screening. (2024).https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening
Breast pain. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-pain/
Breast Pain (Mastalgia). (2024).https://www.breastcancer.org/benign-breast-conditions/mastalgia
Hubbard TJE, et al. (2020). Breast pain: Assessment, management, and referral criteria.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7384817/
Salzman B, et al. (2019). Common breast problems.https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0415/p505.html
Worried about breast pain? (2020).https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/news-personal-stories/worried-about-breast-pain

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Medically reviewed by Faith Selchick, DNP, AOCNP — Written by Rachael Zimlich, RN, BSN — Updated on July 2, 2025

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