Pain in one breast

[newnamenellie]

Hello,

I posted on Women’s Health a week or so ago but there seems to be more traffic on here, so thought I’d post here too.

I’ve got a tender area in my right breast, outer edge, sort of where it curves. I usually get this tenderness a few days before my period and usually on both sides, although have had one side only before.

I’m currently around CD 13 and have had the tenderness since before my most recent period - it just didn’t go this time. My period was odd in that I only bled for a couple of days then stopped and got ewcm, suggesting I was preparing to ovulate (this was around cd 4). I’m wondering if my hormones are out of whack, I’m 46 (47 in September), so this could be a peri menopause symptoms.

I’ve left this for a couple of weeks to see what happens but the pain is still there, so I’ve just called to book a GP phone appointment which is happening on Thursday.

I’m getting in a bit of a state now, wondering what the hell is causing this. I’ve got dense fibrocystic tissue on the right breast (had an ultrasound on it about 6 years ago after finding a small lump), so I’m thinking it might be this tissue reacting to hormones in an unusual way. My breast feels a bit uncomfortable when I move in certain ways too (e.g when I get out of bed, when I went for a run yesterday). I don’t think I can feel a lump, just the tissue previously identified on the u/s scan which is a bit more noticeable on that side.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Mine are like this a lot, I'm 48. Like random spots of tenderness, mainly in my right one. I do think sometimes it's caused by the bones in my bra and the fact I've got quite big boobs. I try not to worry about it. I went to the gp about five years ago as I was bothered but he wasn't concerned.

I have a lot of pain in my left breast at all different times of the month, GP couldn't feel anything but referred to the breast clinic anyway.

The consultant also couldn't feel anything but the ultrasound showed a small lump which was a Fibroadenoma and a few cysts.

The pain is still there and is much worse around a week or so before my period. It's worth getting it checked alongside some bloods re your hormone levels.

Thanks for your replies, ladies.

@Tanfastic I’ve wondered about my bra and bought a new non wired one, but hasn’t made any difference. My boobs are a smallish 34C.

@UncomfortableSilence is your pain there all the time or is it more when you touch or press? Mine’s more of a tenderness (like premenstrual tenderness), so it hurts to lie on that side, for example. Were your cysts thought to be the cause of the pain in your case? I’ve just had a feel of my breast in the shower and the tissue is definitely denser on that side. I’m trying to keep a lid on my anxiety because chances are this is a hormonal blip of some sort, but I can’t help but worry 🙈😬

My pain isn't there all the time maybe 70% of the time, it's just very tender that's the only way I can describe it. They did say at the clinic that pain is a good sign as it is rarely a cause for anything sinister but still important to be checked.

@UncomfortableSilence yes, that sounds like mine, so it’s not an ache that I can feel constantly, more just painful to touch and slightly uncomfortable generally.

I also read that pain isn’t usually a concern, but then I’ve seen posts on here with women saying that wasn’t the case for them.

I think for me, I find it odd that it suddenly developed (or just didn’t diminish when my period started) so I’m now thinking it must be something bad.

I’d be interested to know how you go on with your situation.

Just to update, I’ve been to my GP this morning, she did a breast exam and could feel the dense tissue on the side where the pain is. She’s asked me to come back in four weeks for a follow up check. She thinks it’s hormonal and said she wasn’t worried. She a also said that pain isn’t associated with breast cancer (though I know that isn’t always the case). I’m going to try and put it out of my mind for now.

Hi op. So 2 things to reassure you. I had a friend a few years ago who worked as a nurse in a breast clinic. She said at least 65 percent of her patients were woman over 45 who suddenly had breast pain who had never had it before/ only had it a few days a months. Its very very common with hormonal changes like menopause.
2 I had grade 3 breast cancer last year. My tumour was massive and I only have teeny boobs ! It was totally painless( i was 47)
3 Finally ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS get any new changes checked out, as you did. Its good your GP thinks its nothing to worry about but you are well within your rights to ask for a referall to the breast clinic for your own peace on mind if nothing else. Good luck :)

@Redannie118 thank you for taking the time to reassure me, I really appreciate it 😊.

How are you doing now? Is treatment working out for you?

Yes, I think the thing with pain is that we’re conditioned to assume that it’s sinister, but it’s helpful to know how common it is and how it’s not typical for breast cancer. I’m a little puzzled as to why my GP has asked me to go back, as I doubt the dense tissue will have changed. Anyway, better to be over checked than under checked as you say.

It’s really painful, I get the pain on my left side, exactly how you describe on the outer edge. The only thing I have found that helps is taking evening primrose oil, if I run out the pain soon comes back, I am peri too and have seen GP & breast clinic about the pain, I was told all normal etc.

@Roselilly36 yes, it can get quite sore! I’ve started taking starflower oil as I was advised to take that in the past for breast pain. Only been on it a week so no noticeable difference yet. I’ve bought ibuprofen gel today so will use that if it gets bad!