Why your boobs hurt

Anne started feeling pains in her right breast. Initially she thought it was just something small that would go away.

She however became apprehensive when the pain was persistent and she had to visit her doctor. Anne went with a mindset that she probably had cancer, but after she was thoroughly examined, it was discovered that she had something simple. She had been taking strenuous exercises which affected her breasts.

There are a thousand and one reasons women can feel pains in their breasts. According to Dr Biodun Akinola, a consultant obstetrics and gynecologist  and Medical Director, Tobiloba Hospital Abeokuta, when a woman’s breast feels sore and tender, it could be annoying and could create fear in the woman’s but generally, there should be no cause for concern. This is because; it is not every pain and sore feeling on the breast that leads to serious issues like cancer.

 Here are some common simple reasons women can feel sore and tender in her breast:

Pre menstrual syndrome:

The most common cause of breast pain is a change in hormones which comes along with your monthly period. This is a normal body response to shifts in oestrogen and it typically manifests in swelling and tenderness on the day before the period begins and the first day of the flow. This type of boob soreness is related to the menstrual cycle. The good news is that it disappears when the period ends.

Too much work-out:

Maybe you did an extra round of push-ups or a serious weight-lifting routine. This may seem like breast pain, but the discomfort actually stems from the muscles underneath the breasts. You can get relief by applying heating pads and taking a pain reliever as directed by your doctor

You pulled something:

It might not be at the gym, you probably may have lifted your furniture or heavy bags that may have strained those muscles under your breast. If so, that soreness might actually be coming from the muscles underneath your breast tissue again. You can treat it the same way you would above, with heat or pain relievers.

Your bra doesn’t fit properly:

The wrong bra size can have pretty serious consequences for your chest. If your bra is too tight or the cup is too small, the under-wire may be pushing against your breast, resulting in sore and tender breasts. If you’re not supported enough, all the up-down-and-all-around movement throughout the day can lead to breast tenderness.

Lumpy breasts:

If you have lumpy breast tissue  also known as fibrocystic breast tissue, then you are probably well acquainted with breast tenderness linked to your menstrual cycle.

Too much caffeine:

While coffee and tea may not directly cause breast pain, reducing caffeine can help alleviate discomfort, especially for women with fibrocystic breast tissue. If your breasts feel particularly lumpy you should consider cutting down on caffeine.

Temporary breast soreness and sensitivity should not raise any hysteria, or send you running to the doctor’s office. It usually just lasts a few days then vanishes if the pain lingers or gets worse, then you can see your physician. Also, make a habit of regularly giving your breasts the monthly examination to make sure there are no changes in appearance, texture, or tenderness. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, inform your doctor at once.