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Original poster

Breast pain and alcohol?

27 replies

flow4 · 23/02/2013 22:48

I am wondering if anyone knows anything about a possible link between alcohol consumption and breast pain...?

I developed breast pain a few months ago - in both breasts - ranging from tenderness to a really nasty burning feeling (which reminded me of mastitis).

The first thing to say is that I saw my GP and was referred for a mammogram promptly - so I know it is not cancer or anything 'serious'. The consultant's opinion was that it was 'fibrocystic breast changes'.

While I was waiting for my referral, I had a sense that my breast pain might be made worse by alcohol. I was drinking a whisky nightcap one night, and I felt an unpleasant burning sensation in my left breast: it gave me the sense that the whisky was flowing through the duct, which was obviously not literally possible, but was how it felt. Confused

It was such a powerful sensation that I decided to give myself a break from alcohol, and I cut back my consumption very sharply while I was waiting for the mammogram - from 15-20 units per week to nothing, though perhaps having one drink every 2-3 weeks.

The breast pain stopped, and I didn't really miss alcohol, and it felt like a good 'detox', so I have continued to drink very little... I had even forgotten why I cut back... Until yesterday...

I have just had a short break with friends, and drank 3 days running (Tues/Wed/Thurs nights) for the first time in months - probably 15-20 units in those three days. Yesterday I noticed pain in my left breast again, in the same place as before, and the same burning sensation - though not as bad as it was at its worst.

To me, this seems to strongly suggest that the alcohol consumption is causing the pain.

So my questions are...

  • Has anyone else experienced this?
  • Does anyone know of an established link between alcohol and breast pain?
  • If so, is there any evidence that the alcohol is causing damage?

Thanks in advance.. :)

OP posts:
MrsSham · 23/02/2013 23:06

I know there is a link with alcohol consumption and breast cancer. And also have in the past read about studies that nipple pain and thrush and mastitis is increased with in breast feeding mothers who consume alcohol. Have you searched google scholar to find any imperial evidence?

MrsSham · 23/02/2013 23:09

How old are you could it be menopausal? That may be the link if so, menopause and alcohol consumption?

Original poster
flow4 · 23/02/2013 23:09

Thanks, MrsS. I knew about the link between alcohol and breast cancer too , which was why I decided to cut down. I'll have a look on Google scholar...

OP posts:
MrsSham · 23/02/2013 23:12

You many not have access to lots of studies but many come up free as PDF.

MrsSham · 23/02/2013 23:15

It is strange as I cam on to post about pain in my left breast and your post just happened to come up. I too drink a fair bit so will be interested in this if you manage to find any links.

I think I may have an infection of some sort, I have a heavy cold and possibly a virus, sore throat and stuff nose and my glands are up under left arm. But my left breast is so sore and heavy. It hurts to touch.

Original poster
flow4 · 23/02/2013 23:18

That does sound like an infection :(

OP posts:
Original poster
flow4 · 24/02/2013 10:39

Well, I've had a good search via Google Scholar and 'normal' Google. There isn't anything obvious or clear-cut - I haven't found anything that says "Alcohol causes breast pain".

But some sources ( like this ) suggest that alcohol can increase oestrogen production... And raised oestrogen (especially in relation to progesterone) can cause breast tenderness and is a risk factor in breast disease, including fibrocystic breasts and some cancers ...

So it does seem there might be some sort of link between drinking alcohol and breast pain...

I'm still very interested to hear whether anyone else has experienced anything like this...

OP posts:
LizzyA · 10/05/2013 13:07

Interesting. I've just returned from a mammogram due to ongoing breast pain and found this post via a google search.

I drink quite a lot and have wondered if that's the cause of the pain. Time to cut down whilst I await the results......

Cez007 · 24/10/2014 07:58

Omg this is like reading my story, I've had vertically the same experience!! How are you now?? Was it the alcohol??
Cheers
C

kimmyr · 11/11/2015 11:18

I have experienced this recently the last two times I've drank alcohol, and both times in my left breast. It swelled on the left side, and I felt pain into my nipple. I'm waiting to see my Dr. And hopefully it's nothing... I have rheumatoid arthritis and have a comprised immune system. So a lowered immune system mixed with alcohol might cause this. Whatever the case it's unpleasant...

Poppy117 · 08/02/2019 09:23

I know this is an old thread but like many of you I googled anf found this thread. I've recently started experiencing breast and nipple tenderness and I'm convinced it is linked to alcohol too.

Have any of you found out anymore about why this is / has it kept reoccurring?

aardvark109 · 03/03/2019 03:28

This is interesting, as I rarely drink alcohol, but I have noticed on the rare occasions when I have imbibed in the past year, I get pain in my breasts...

pjtaylor · 16/03/2021 11:39

Had a mamagram which came back clear but still had breast pain, went to the doctors nothing found it seamed to settle down but mothers day had some bolenger with my daughter and it came back very sharp this time. I will drink another alcohol drink and see if it still happens but maybe fizzy alcohol Hmm

Mariamm851 · 13/07/2021 00:44

I came here for the same reason, pain in my left breast but it’s really my nipple that hurts. I’d say I drink quite a bit, so finally thought there may be a connection, since my bra is well fitting. I guess it’s time to cut back.

JBellma · 09/08/2021 19:54

I am definitely having a link between drinking red wine and breast tenderness. I had stopped drinking for several months, while working on a healthier gut. I used to drink a couple of glasses nightly. Now I have a vodka cocktail once in awhile, because the wine was giving me headache, as well. But I have had some red wine on occasion, recently, and have been fine. Went on vacation for 4 days and drank red wine each night and noticed some breast tenderness in nipple area. Thought it might have something to do with a new bra I was wearing. When I got back home the sensation seemed to be starting to fade, and then I had some more red wine a couple of nights in a row, and BAM, same tenderness is back. So odd. I have never had this issue before. It was not happening with the vodka cocktail.
I was wondering how long it takes for the tenderness to subside, and if anyone did find an answer to the question of whether or not this is causing any harm/damage.

annieART76 · 15/11/2021 15:20

Really helpful thread, thanks everyone! I’ve had left breast pain for 6 months - it only hurts at night, mammogram is clear. Started doing an elimination diet and low and behind, the culprit is….BOOZE! It takes 5-6 days of abstinence for the pain to subside enough to sleep well. I concur with someone above who said it feels like the whiskey (beer in my case) is flowing through the ducts. It’s such a painful sensation. So I’m going to listen to my body and seriously cut back. Why is the connection between alcohol and breast health not more prominent? My doctor “knows nothing about it”! And now I notice that every event at my women’s gym includes booze afterwards. It’s everywhere. And it’s definitely affecting our breast health and probably cancer rates.

Fruitfly1977 · 11/12/2021 18:16

I’ve been searching the internet on this topic for months now. About 6 months ago I started to notice I had tenderness in my left Breat especially after drinking red wine - it is mainly what I drink to be fair. My concern comes from the fact I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. I have had a mastectomy and reconstruction so I am very aware of any changes in my breasts. I’ve been back to the hospital to see my consultant, had a bone scan and ultrasound and nothing was found although they can’t explain the tenderness any more then possible scar tissue. Anyway I’m currently now checking for any changes regularly although with Christmas just around the corner my red wine intake won’t be decreasing drastically soon but will be in the New Year. I’ll definitely be raising this when I see my consultant again. It’s just so strange!

moonunit71 · 09/04/2022 07:55

I have found this thread very interesting as I have been searching high and low to explain pain in just my left breast. I too get a weird sensation when drinking fluids through to my nipple - not just alcohol but I believe that makes it worse. This has been happening for around 4 months but has been increasingly getting worse and lately my whole breast can feel hot and sore for a few days off and on....I have a drs appointment this Tuesday but I am sure i will be sent for a mammogram. I am hoping this is not anything sinister but is something to do with perimenopause. If anyone has any updates I would find it helpful. Thx.

Beckitah26 · 31/05/2022 18:39

I’ve been with the same problem for months now
my left breast is slightly bigger than the other visited my doctor and nothing was found inside I got some tabs (antibiotics) but the pain keeps on coming back: I drink quite a lot and I’m convinced the culprit is whiskey….anyone has any updates?

Michrs · 25/08/2022 01:02

I’m feeling the same and the burning is bad, anyone willing to share an update ? What were your results from your tests? Curious to know.

Jarah · 27/11/2022 22:37

When I suffered from breast pain I mentioned it to my gynecologist and he immediately said "Cut out alcohol, caffeine and citrus. They all cause breast pain." I had been drinking vodka cocktails every day so I knew that he was right. I stopped drinking and the pain went. I had a couple of cocktails yesterday and the pain came back so there is definitely a connection.

SameSituationTryingtostop · 23/03/2023 22:30

I obviously HAVE to stop completely, everytime I drink it’s immediate pain and it lingers. I’ll admit that I’ve been drinking for a decent portion of my life…. I bartend…. Have you been able to stop?

LisaGr · 29/03/2023 08:47

I am experiencing the same burning sensation in my left breast which I think is related to alcohol. If I stop drinking for a few days it goes. I have an appointment with my GP as the practice nurse suggested I should get it checked as menopausal to rule out anything more sinister. Interesting that in this thread there is a lot of reference to the left breast.

GoatMom · 01/04/2023 11:16

After searching online off and on for about a year I finally came across your post. I too have experienced breast pain and have come to the conclusion it is related to beer. I have been a heavy beer drinker for quite a few years now. I am in my late 40s and started having horrible breast pain. It was in both breasts but more painful in the right one. The pain would ease up maybe for a week but it was always there. They were swollen, knotty, heavy and so painful. I had a mammogram right away after seeing my GYN and nothing was found. I don’t drink caffeine so it wasn’t related to that. I was only drink water and beer (about 6-7 a night)
I got pretty sick in my stomach 3 months ago and found out I have an ulcer and was told to stop drinking and no spicy food for a couple weeks to see if things improve. I stopped drinking for a whole month! The first thing I noticed was my breast pain was completely gone! Unfortunately I have started drinking again but not as much…it does seem to be everyday now but only 2 a night. This morning is the worst since I started drinking again and I had 4 beers last night. I’m going to have to stop totally again because I can’t live with this pain. When I wake up in the morning it feels like my right breast is ripping from my body and the pain is connecting to my right arm pit. 😕

CrimsonGhost · 11/01/2024 20:12

I am a man and I drink heavily sometimes.. when Im drinking I have etreme tenderness and pain in my nipples when they are touched or pressed on... after about a week without drinking the pain goes away... I also have no been able to find anything else on the internet about it other than this thread and I noticed I think I'm the only man here but I can assure you I have the samething and I definitely have correlated it with drinking.