Breast pain (mastalgia) is tenderness, sharpness, throbbing, burning, and stabbing pain or tightness around the breast tissue. Almost 2-3rd of the female population gets affected by Pain while they are in their reproductive years, and it ranks as one of the most frequently reported complaints of women aged 15–40 years. Sometimes, it is a constant feeling, whereas in a few cases, it happens most occasionally. However, it may also be found in men and transgender population. When the pain persists or continues, a person must seek medical attention in severe cases.

Common Causes 

Primarily, breast pain is associated with hormonal imbalances. It may also be related to infection, blockages, noncancerous growths, and injury. A few common causes leading to sharp pain in breast is as follows;

• Mastitis

Mastitis is defined as swelling in the breasts. The most common cause of mastitis is identified as any infection. Although the ailment most often impacts those individuals who are breastfeeding, however, it can also affect other people.

The treatment option mostly adopted for infectious conditions is the use of antibiotics. An individual who is chestfeeding must discharge all the secretions and empty the breasts. If the doctors observe the presence of any abscess, they will remove all the pus with the help of surgery or drain it with a pin.

• Breast Cysts

Breast cysts, the fluid-filled sacs, are identified as noncancerous growths. They are relatively soft and primarily found in premenopausal women. In a few cases, cysts are asymptomatic, meaning they do not manifest symptoms. However, some individuals may complain about the pain and nipple discharge.

The cysts do not require any treatment unless they are large or painful. If cysts demand a necessary treatment, then techniques of fluid draining out with a needle are applied.

• Fibrocystic Breast Tissue

Fibrocystic breast disease is a common condition in females. It is more prevalent in women between the ages of 20 and 45. Fibrocystic breasts are susceptible to hormone modifications related to menstruation. They show symptoms such as pain, heaviness, or fullness before menstruation that become normal afterward.

Diagnosing Breast Pain

If mandatory, your doctor also suggests a mammogram, biopsy, or ultrasound to find out any severe conditions associated with your sharp pain in breast.

• Mammogram – A mammogram allows physicians to observe the breast tissues of the affected area causing breast pain.
• Ultrasound – If any material is present on a mammogram, an ultrasound is performed next to permit doctors to determine if there is any fluid-filled mass or solid material. This will help your doctor to identify the appropriate measures of treatment.
• Biopsy – A biopsy is generally performed after a mammogram or ultrasound to identify a lump or suspicious material further. A radiologist will collect a small breast tissue sample for further diagnostic testing when a biopsy is completed.

When to See a Doctor

Visit a healthcare expert if breast pain:

• Occurs daily and prolongs for more than a couple of days
• Observed in one particular area of your breast
• It continues to be getting wrong and severe over time
• Impacts your daily activities
• Disturbs your sleep

It is mandatory to know that those individuals who feel breast pain have less chance of Breast cancer. However, a proper evaluation is required if your healthcare provider demands it.

Tips to Avoid Pain

Here are the best tips to avoid sharp pain in breast.

• Supportive clothing: Go for bras that are well-fitted and give comfortable protection. An individual may ignore underwired bras and push-ups while observing breast pain or sensitivity.
• Evening primrose oil (EPO): A recent study with 1,015 participants aged 14–82 showed that taking EPO was more suitable than acetaminophen. As premenstrual pain was not the focus of this study, however, most of the members were premenopausal, and the study also reported a few EPO side effects.
• Medications: If an individual observes that the hormonal birth control methods lead to more severe breast pain, they may be required to consult their doctor. They may need to change the contraception formula. In rare cases, birth control can participate in improving breast pain.

Prevention

Here are the main steps that can be followed to prevent yourself from breast pain.

• Avoid hormone treatments if allowed.
• Avoid drugs that are famous for causing breast pain or worsening it.
• Try relaxation techniques that provide control for high levels of anxiety related to severe breast pain.
• Limit or remove caffeine; a change in diet may be helpful for some individuals, although research on caffeine's impact on breast pain is inconclusive.
• Avoid extra stress or continuous lifting activities.
• Follow a diet that is low in fats and add more complex carbohydrates.
• Add over-the-counter pain-relaxing drugs, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

• Managing breast pain

• Limitations in intake of chocolate, soft drinks, coffee and tea, 
• Application of hot or cold compression
• Following regular exercise
• Practicing relaxation methods that reduce stress, tension, and anxiety.

It is better to speak with a pain physician in Dallas before going for self-care methods to confirm if they are appropriate. In some circumstances, medical techniques may be required.

Summary 

The first step to follow when you feel a sudden sharp pain in breast is to get it identified as a heart attack.

Left breast pain may lead to conditions causing problems in breast tissue and milk ducts. However, Breast growths are usually painful in the early stages. It is reversed in inflammatory breast cancer, consisting of redness and swelling.

Pain from associated areas may also be felt the same as if in the breast, like chest muscles, esophagus, and the lungs. Nerve pain related to this area can be due to shingles and fibromyalgia.

See your pain doctor in Dallas about breast pain so that you can have an individualized diagnosis and treatment.