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Breast Pain During Pregnancy: Causes & Remedies

March 6, 2023

Breast pain during pregnancy is common as the breasts see many changes in this phase. Although it may be a common experience, it may be a cause of concern for you and you are looking at ways to relieve the discomfort. Read on to learn about breast pain during pregnancy, its causes, symptoms and remedies to manage the pain:

Book an online appointment with Dr. Vibha Arora for Pregnancy & gynecology related issues

What Kind of Breast Pain Indicates Pregnancy?

The question of what kind of breast pain indicates pregnancy is important. Many women feel soreness in the breast due to the birth control pills they consume or due to premenstrual syndrome, PMS. This is because of the imbalance in the hormonal levels of progesterone and estrogen in particular. The same happens during pregnancy too hence you are feeling sore, but it does not mean pregnancy.

If you have a regular menstrual cycle, check if the period is due in the next few days. If you do not have any other unusual symptoms, then it is most likely to be PMS, not pregnancy. On the other hand, if you have spotting or are feeling sick and your period is late, you may be pregnant. The best way to know what kind of breast pain indicates pregnancy is by undergoing a home pregnancy test.

Why do Breasts Hurt When Pregnant?

If you are wondering, does breast pain during pregnancy? Yes, for some. When you are pregnant, progesterone and estrogen spike. This helps the safe implantation of the fetus and does not allow the lining to become unnecessarily loose. Also, when you are pregnant, the breast is in the final phases of development, which is why women do not have soreness during periods. They feel breast pain during pregnancy.

Additionally, the fat accumulates, glands grow bigger, there is increased blood flow to that area and even the cell types change. All this causes breast tenderness during pregnancy. So if you ask, is breast pain normal during pregnancy? Yes, it is.

Are Tender Nipples the Same as Breast Soreness?

Do breast pain during pregnancy and tender nipples the same? Some women do not have breast soreness or feel very little soreness. But they may have breast tenderness during

pregnancy along with tender nipples which are kind of related but not the same. The entire left and right breast may be sore when you are pregnant, but if, specifically, the nipples are sore, that means you are mostly in your third trimester and are nearing the milk production stage. As a pregnant woman nears the lactating stage, the dark area surrounding the nipple called the areola becomes larger and darker. You see pores at the nipple tips, which are itchy, sensitive and sore. You can even see small drops forming and you may see bumps around the areola that look like goose bumps and are called Montgomery tubercles. These are not a cause for concern but are glands that act as lubricants to prevent germs.

Breast Pain During Pregnancy Symptoms

The following are the symptoms of pain or breast tenderness during pregnancy.

  • Soreness in both or only one breast
  • Tenderness in either or both breasts
  • The breast becomes more sensitive during the last trimester
  • There is a tingling sensation in both the breasts

The severity of the pain can vary and be a stabbing or a dull pain. The left breast pain during pregnancy has more pain and soreness as is because of pressure from the uterus as it grows. The left breast pain during pregnancy may be because the baby inside is punching or kicking. Leaning forward worsens the left breast pain during pregnancy and if it is uncomfortable and preventing you from doing your everyday activities consult a medical professional

Causes of Breast Pain During Pregnancy

As mentioned earlier, several hormones get secreted during pregnancy and that is one of the causes of breast pain and tenderness in pregnancy. Suppose you ask is breast pain normal during pregnancy. It is normal because :

  • The breasts undergo many changes due to the secretion of prolactin, estrogen and progesterone hormones. These lead to blood vessel growth and milk lobules proliferation. This is one of the causes of breast pain during pregnancy that leads to an increase in breast tenderness and sensitivity.
  • In the second and third trimesters, the milk lobules proliferation is more prominent and there is an enhanced progesterone level. These lead to various sensations in both breasts and are one of the causes of breast pain during pregnancy. These hormones are getting your breasts ready for lactation. The milk ducts and the milk lobules are stretched constantly and thus cause discomfort during pregnancy.

Remedies for Breast Pain During Pregnancy

If you are feeling discomfort in your breast, here are some remedies for breast pain during pregnancy.

  • Many over-the-counter painkillers are available. You can take anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce breast pain during pregnancy but consult your doctor.
  • Change your bra to see if you feel more comfortable after it. Choose the right maternity bra throughout the pregnancy that is not too tight.
  • When picking a bra, look for something without an underwire so that it adapts to your growing breasts. Some women wear oversized bras during the first trimester and for the second and third trimesters, nursing bras are more comfortable.
  • One of the breast pain during pregnancy home remedies is to try cold and hot compress. These help in better blood flow, faster cell recovery and reduced inflammation.
  • Use a hot compress as one for breast pain during pregnancy, home remedies for itching and soreness and a cold compress for swollen and tender breasts.
  • Another breast pain during pregnancy home remedies is to consume more water. East less salt as it reduces retention of water. Retaining water in the body makes the breasts more painful and swollen.

When the above remedies for breast pain during pregnancy do not work, seek the help of a doctor.

The above answers the question: Does breast pain during pregnancy? Is breast pain normal during pregnancy? It is and is not a cause for worry. It can be in different forms and if your pregnancy is going on normally, there is not much cause for concern. Try the above home remedies to help you get through the discomfort.

Must Read : Breast Leaking During Pregnancy :  Is it Normal – Understand Why

FAQs

What is the fastest way to cure breast pain?

Using cold or hot compress on the breast is the fastest way to cure breast pain.

How to relieve breast pain?

Wear a comfortable bra that has no underwire so that it adapts. Drink enough water and consume less salt to get relief from breast pain.

Why are my breasts so painful during pregnancy?

The breasts are painful during pregnancy as there is a flooding of hormones.

What can I take for breast pain while pregnant?

What can I take for breast pain while pregnant?

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