Breast Pain in Peterborough

Breast pain is common and most people experience pain in breast tissue at some point. It’s usually linked to hormonal changes, certain medications, or minor infections, and often improves with simple treatments or lifestyle adjustments. While breast pain causes are usually non-cancerous, it’s important to pay attention to your symptoms.

Seek medical advice if pain inside the breast lasts longer than two weeks, does not improve, or is accompanied by changes such as a lump, nipple discharge, or skin texture changes. Your GP can help identify the cause and recommend the right treatment.

What is breast pain?

Breast pain, also called mastalgia, is a common condition that can affect anyone. It may feel like tenderness, throbbing, sharp pain in breast, burning sensations, or tightness in the breast tissue. The pain can be constant or occasional, ranging from mild discomfort to a painful shooting pain in your breast that interferes with your daily activities.

Typical causes of breast pain include hormonal changes linked to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, certain medications, infections, or changes in breast tissue. In men, a pain in breast is most often related to gynaecomastia, a condition where breast gland tissue increases due to hormone imbalance. In transgender women, breast pain may occur as part of hormone therapy when breast tissue develops, while transgender men may experience pain from the small amount of breast tissue that can remain after mastectomy.

Most breast pain causes are noncancerous and rarely indicate breast cancer. However, unexplained pain that doesn’t improve after one or two menstrual cycles, persists after menopause, or isn’t linked to periods or hormones should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Types of breast pain

There are two main types of breast pain: 

Cyclic breast pain 

This type is linked to the menstrual cycle and is most common between the ages of 20 and 50. It follows a predictable pattern usually begins up to two weeks before a period, gets worse, and then eases once the period ends. It usually occurs in both breasts where the pain may feel tender, heavy, or aching, and it often eases once menstruation begins. It then returns again before the next cycle. Cyclic breast pain can also be triggered by changes in hormone medication, such as birth control or hormone replacement therapy. This type of pain usually stops after menopause, when periods end.

Non-cyclic breast pain 

This pain is not related to the menstrual cycle. It is more common in people over 40 and can continue after menopause. Unlike cyclic pain, it does not follow a regular pattern. It may affect just one breast or a specific area, and can be constant or come and go. 

Sometimes what feels like breast pain is actually chest wall pain from muscles or tissues around the heart and lungs.

Symptoms of breast pain 

Breast pain symptoms can present in many different ways. They include:

• Tenderness, soreness, heaviness, or sharp pain in breast
• Pain in breast bone that worsens with movement or deep breathing
• Discomfort in both breasts or just one breast or a specific area, such as pain and soreness in left breast or right breast, aching pain under left breast or pain under right breast
• Mild pain to painful shooting pain in breast
• Pain that comes and goes to intense pain that interferes with daily activities

Each type of breast pain has distinct characteristics.

Causes of breast pain

Many people ask ‘what causes breast tenderness and pain?’ Breast pain causes vary. In women, it is often linked to the menstrual cycle, while in men and transgender people it may be related to hormone changes or breast tissue development. Most causes are benign, and breast pain by itself is very unlikely to be a symptom of cancer. In many cases, there is no clear underlying cause, and the pain improves on its own.

Causes include:

• Breast pain linked to periods
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Hormone changes during menopause
• Hormone therapy
• Gynaecomastia
• Medicines such as birth control pills or antidepressants (SSRIs)
• Infections like mastitis or breast abscesses
• Breast cysts or fibroadenomas (noncancerous often painful lumpy breasts) 
• Prior radiation therapy or surgical scars
• Injuries or sprains to the neck, shoulder, or back that can be felt as breast pain
• Costochondritis (inflammation of cartilage in the breastbone)
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking, caffeine, stress, or a high-fat diet

Risk factors for breast pain

Breast pain is more common among people who have not yet completed menopause, although it can still occur afterward. It may also affect men with gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue due to hormone imbalance) and transgender people undergoing hormone therapy.

Other factors that may increase the likelihood of breast pain include:

• Breast size – larger breasts can cause non-cyclic pain related to their weight, often accompanied by neck, shoulder, or back pain.
• Breast surgery – pain linked to surgery or scar tissue can sometimes persist even after healing.
• Fatty acid imbalance – changes in fatty acid levels within cells may make breast tissue more sensitive to circulating hormones.
• Medication use – hormonal medicines such as birth control pills, infertility treatments, and hormone therapy can cause breast tenderness. Certain antidepressants (SSRIs), blood pressure medicines, and some antibiotics may also contribute.
• Excessive caffeine use – some people notice improvement in breast pain when they reduce or eliminate caffeine.

Is breast pain normal? 

Yes. Breast pain is very common and usually not serious. Around 70% of women experience it at least once, most often before menopause. Men and transgender people can also have breast pain, often due to hormone changes or gynaecomastia.

Most causes are benign, such as hormonal shifts, pregnancy, breastfeeding, infections, or certain medications. Breast pain alone is very unlikely to be a sign of cancer. Persistent or unexplained pain should be checked by a healthcare provider.

When to see a doctor about breast pain

You may be wondering when to worry about breast pain. Most breast pain is not serious and often improves on its own. However, you should seek medical advice if:

• Pain continues daily for more than a couple of weeks
• It occurs in one specific area of your breast
• It seems to be getting worse over time
• It interferes with daily activities or awakens you from sleep
• Painkillers are not helping, or the pain is not improving
• You have a family history of breast cancer
• You may be pregnant

Urgent advice

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you notice:

• A very high temperature or feeling hot and shivery with breast pain
• Any part of your breast becoming red, hot, or swollen
• A hard lump in your breast that does not move around
• Nipple discharge, especially if streaked with blood
• One or both breasts changing shape
• Skin on your breast becoming dimpled (like orange peel)
• A rash on or around your nipple, or the nipple sinking inward

How is the cause of breast pain diagnosed? 

To understand what’s causing breast pain, your doctor will start by asking questions about your symptoms and medical history. They may ask:

• When the pain started and how long it lasts
• Whether it follows a pattern (such as around your menstrual cycle)
• If the pain is in one breast or both
• How severe the pain is and whether it interferes with daily activities
• Any medications you are taking, including hormone therapy or antidepressants
• Whether you have had breast surgery, injury, or a family history of breast conditions

Tests to Evaluate Breast Pain

Depending on your history and exam, your doctor may recommend:

• Clinical breast exam – checking for changes in your breasts and lymph nodes, and ruling out pain from the chest wall, heart, or lungs. If nothing unusual is found, further tests may not be needed.
• Mammogram – an X-ray of the breast to evaluate a lump, thickening, or focused area of pain. Learn more about mammograms.
• Ultrasound – uses sound waves to create images of breast tissue. Often done alongside a mammogram, especially if pain is localized. Learn more about breast ultrasound.
• Breast biopsy – if a lump or unusual area is found, a small sample of tissue may be taken for lab analysis to rule out cancer or other conditions.

In many cases, breast pain does not require extensive testing, especially if it is clearly linked to hormonal changes or benign causes.

How to relieve breast pain 

Breast pain is often manageable with simple measures. Treatment depends on whether the pain is cyclic (linked to the menstrual cycle) or non-cyclic (unrelated to periods), but many approaches overlap. Here are some tips on how to ease breast pain:

Self-care and lifestyle measures

• Take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
• Apply pain-relieving gel or cream to the breast area
• Wear a properly fitted, supportive bra during the day and a softer bra at night
• Reduce or eliminate caffeine, which may improve symptoms for some people
• Avoid smoking and manage stress with relaxation techniques
• Apply gentle heat to the painful area, protecting the skin

Supplements and alternative options

Vitamin E, evening primrose oil, or magnesium may help some people, though evidence is limited

Medical treatments

• For severe cyclic pain, stronger prescription medicines such as danazol or tamoxifen may be considered, but they carry side effects and require medical supervision
• Adjusting or stopping hormone medications (birth control, hormone therapy) may help, but only under medical guidance
• If pain is caused by an infection (mastitis) or a benign cyst, targeted treatment such as antibiotics or minor surgery may be needed

Most breast pain improves with supportive care, but if symptoms persist or worsen, your doctor can help identify the underlying cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

How to prevent breast pain

Some steps that may help reduce the risk:

• Wear a properly fitted, supportive bra (sports bra for exercise)
• Limit caffeine and avoid smoking
• Manage stress with relaxation techniques
• Keep to a balanced, low-fat diet with complex carbohydrates
• Review hormone or other medications with your doctor if pain persists.

Breast pain management at Ramsay Health Care

At Ramsay Health Care, patients benefit from expert, personalised care for breast pain. Our multidisciplinary teams combine medical expertise with compassionate support to identify the cause of pain and provide tailored treatment plans.

Why choose Ramsay?

• Access to leading consultants and breast specialists

• On-site diagnostics including mammogram and ultrasound services

• Advanced pain relief options and evidence-based treatments

• Integrated physiotherapy and rehabilitation support

• A focus on safety, dignity, and fast access to care

With Ramsay, you can feel confident that your concerns will be taken seriously and managed with care.

Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment today.

Breast Pain FAQs