How painful is a mammogram?

[CaptainPJ]

I have an appointment for my first mammogram and am a bit worried about how painful it will be. I have really small boobs! Due to go out for a special occasion afterwards and wondering if I need to change the date if it’s likely to be really sore afterwards?

Not painful. Just a bit of a squeeze. You’ll be fine to go out afterwards.

Quite uncomfortable, not painful at all

Uncomfortable rather than painful in my experience. A bit like getting your blood pressure taken.

And the feeling only last during the procedure. There is no pain or uncomfortable feeling after.

@CaptainPJ

I have to be honest, mammograms have been painful for me. but for lots of my friends its just been uncomfortable.
But any feelings stop as soon as its done, no lasting pain or soreness.
Its very quick, and as someone with breast cancer picked up by routine mammogram, its very important to get checked.

The only time I regretted not changing the date was once when I was still having periods, and realized too late I was PMSing, and my boobs were very tender. That sucked lol, but I took a couple of paracetamol and was fine after they kicked in. You’ll be grand, best just to get it over and done with!

I didn't even find it uncomfortable

I've got small boobs and it's not painful. Briefly mildly uncomfortable and as PP say, it doesn't last at all.

Anecdotal evidence suggests it's more unpleasant for women with larger breasts.

Uncomfortable at the time, I have big boobs and felt very squished!
I always take a couple of painkillers before hand just in case.

There’s no lasting pain , it’s uncomfortable and you feel a bit squished but it’s not like having a biopsy for example .

Small Boobs and didn't find it painful or uncomfortable. Popped and had mine in my lunch break. The anticipation was definitely worse than the actual event.

I’ve had around 10 mammograms (due to family history). Never found them painful. It’s uncomfortable at the time but it’s over in a few seconds. You’ll be fine to go out afterwards. I’ve got small boobs & I’ve been straight out for a run after many times.

This is very reassuring, thanks so much! My appointment is actually on my birthday, and I have no plans but my children want to take me out as a surprise so thought I had better check! I feel loads better about it now, thanks!

It’s not painful. A bit of a squeeze at the time, but forgotten within minutes.

It is painful for 10-20 seconds, fine afterwards. Take paracetamol prior.

I have smallish boobs (C cup) and had my first mammogram earlier this year. I was bracing myself for pain etc, but I was pleasantly surprised with how easy and pain free it was. Yes, it’s a tad uncomfortable being squashed but honestly it was over in seconds. My mum has very large breasts and she hates mammograms as they are very uncomfortable for her. Guess they don’t have to squash smaller breasts as much, so you’ll be fine.

Fine just a bit of a squish, over very quickly and no discomfort afterwards. Enjoy your special occasion afterwards - a good distraction 😊

It’s like putting your boob in a sandwich press basically. I wouldn’t say it’s painful, just uncomfortable, but it’s over quick enough and worth it

At some point in the past fifteen years they’ve really improved the machines they use. The one I had in 2009 was so miserable and painful I didn’t go back for years. The most recent was entirely different, with careful and reassuring staff and no discomfort at all.

So I would say go with confidence. But tell them if you’re feeling anxious about the procedure.

I haven’t found them either painful or uncomfortable and I’m normally a wuss with any kind of physical/medical procedure.

No discomfort for me

Not at all, in my experience.

They're not pleasant but like PPs said, they're over quickly. The contortion is the worst part 😵‍💫

I had one after I already found a lump in my boob so I was feeling ultra sensitive and teary.

Not at all painful. Not even uncomfortable

I’ve had 2 mammograms, an ultrasound & a biopsy… have larger boobs so the mammograms were a bit uncomfortable but not painful as the 2 different ladies who did the mammograms were clearly very experienced at getting a patient into the right positions with the least amount of discomfort possible.