Why Do My Breasts Hurt? Understanding Breast Pain Causes

Written by Alyson Powell Key
Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on March 09, 2025
7 min read

Soreness, swelling, heaviness, shooting or burning pangs, tightness — whatever the feeling, breast pain can be troubling. It's very common to wonder if what you're feeling might be a sign of breast cancer.

It's important to track the cause of breast pain, also known as "mastalgia." But pain in one or both of your breasts isn't necessarily a sign of breast cancer. Breast tenderness and other discomfort can happen for many reasons. This article looks at the most common breast pain causes.

Doctors group breast pain into two categories: cyclical breast pain and noncyclical breast pain. Cyclical breast pain is the most common type and usually happens due to hormone changes. Noncyclical happens due to other factors unrelated to hormones. These are the common causes of breast pain in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Cyclical breast pain

Your breast pain is likely cyclical (meaning it's linked to your reproductive cycle) if you have some of these signs:

  • The pain feels achy and heavy.
  • Your breasts swell or seem lumpy.
  • Both your breasts are affected, mainly the upper and outer areas. Sometimes, the pain can spread to your armpits.
  • You're in your childbearing years (around your 20s and 30s), or you're approaching menopause.

To help ease cyclical breast pain, your doctor may suggest you to take oral contraceptives, or they may change the dosage you already take. They might also suggest trying over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium.

Faith Ohuoba, MD, an OB-GYN at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, TX, says making changes to what you eat and drink can also ease pain. "When I have patients come in with breast pain, I always ask, 'Are you eating or drinking a lot of caffeine?' Caffeine is a well-known cause of breast pain. It can be tea, coffee, and chocolate."

Noncyclical breast pain

Breast pain can be triggered by reasons other than hormones. Yours might be related to another issue if:

  • Your pain feels like soreness, burning, or tightness.
  • Discomfort is constant (or unpredictable).
  • Pain seems to affect one breast in a particular area.
  • You've passed menopause.

Most breast pain seems to relate to the levels of two hormones — estrogen and progesterone — in your body. Doctors aren't sure what leads to breast pain. It can happen at different times in your reproductive life, such as during:

Sore nipples can be a sign that your period is coming. This, along with other types of breast pain should ease once you have your period. Pregnancy can also cause your nipples to get tender and swell.

Breastfeeding itself can cause nipple pain as your baby latches on to them. It may feel like a sharp pinch. It could also cause your nipples to crack and bleed. You can ease the soreness with things such as ointments or by rubbing a few drops of milk over your nipples to soften them before you start to nurse.

This is likely linked to hormones, as well. Fibrous tissue (breast tissue that's scar-like or ropey) and cysts (fluid-filled sacs) form in your breasts. It can be painful, but it's normal and usually harmless.

About half of women and people assigned female at birth get this in their 20s to 50s. You don't need treatment unless your symptoms are severe.

These acids are found in vegetable and animal oils. If there's an imbalance of these acids in your cells, your breasts can be more sensitive to hormones.

To ease your symptoms, try cutting down the fat in your diet. Your doctor might also recommend a diet high in complex carbs.

Some doctors think taking evening primrose oil helps correct fatty acid imbalances.

This pain feels like it's coming from your breasts, but it's actually coming from somewhere else, often the chest wall. It can stem from:

  • Inflammation of the sternum (costochondritis) 
  • Cervical arthritis
  • Conditions that affect the whole body, including gallbladder disease, pleuritis, or heart problems
  • Trauma
  • A pulled muscle
  • A bone fracture

Usually, the pain gets better with rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory meds (NSAIDs), and sometimes cortisone injections.

Straining your pectoralis major muscle (located beneath and around your breasts) can also make the pain feel like it's coming from your breasts. This can result from activities such as lifting, raking, and shoveling.

Though mastitis usually occurs in those who are breastfeeding, it can happen to anyone. Your clothes rubbing against your nipples can also irritate them and can let in bacteria that may lead to infection.

Thrush — a yeast infection of the breast and nipple — can feel like a stabbing, shooting, or burning in your nipples. You might also see redness or dry or flaky skin.

Trauma to a particular area of your breast — such as from surgery or implants — can cause breast pain. Sometimes, an injury can cause a breast vein to swell and a blood clot to form. Though painful, it's usually not serious.

Certain prescription meds and hormone medications can cause breast pain. These include: 

  • Some heart medications, including digitalis
  • Certain psychiatric drugs, including chlorpromazine
  • Oxymetholone, which is used to treat some forms of anemia
  • Water pills (diuretics)
  • Birth control pills, hormone replacement, or infertility treatments
  • Methyldopa, which is used to treat high blood pressure

If you have skin irritation called dermatitis, you might have a rash or swelling around your nipple. The term "dermatitis" includes conditions such as eczema and contact dermatitis.

Talk with your doctor about what might cause these skin problems and how you can treat them.

If you have large and heavy breasts, you may feel pain from stretched ligaments and breast tissue. It can hurt not only in your breasts but also in your back, neck, and shoulders. Reduction surgery can help, but it can also cause pain if tissue is damaged during the operation.

A supportive, sturdy bra can help keep your breasts in place. Wearing a sports bra to bed and when you exercise can also help.

In rare cases, breast cancer, including inflammatory breast cancer, is the cause of pain in this area. Symptoms of this start suddenly and worsen quickly. You may notice these changes to your breasts:

  • Redness or other color changes
  • Swelling
  • Heaviness
  • Pain
  • Thickening or dimpling of the skin

See your doctor right away if you have these symptoms.

Breast pain is usually not a sign of a serious problem. But if you have a lump or pain that doesn't go away, talk to your doctor for an exam. Early diagnosis raises your chances of curing it or extending your life with treatment.

Breast pain, or mastalgia, is common and can have different causes. Cyclical breast pain, linked to hormone changes during your period, pregnancy, or menopause, is one of the most common types. See your doctor if your pain lasts longer than normal or if you notice other changes to your breast, such as a lump, color changes, swelling, or dimpling of the skin.

Ohuoba also suggests regular self-exams to understand what's normal for your breasts and what's not. "For the most part, you see your doctor once a year for a preventative check, but you're with you all the time. So get to know your breasts. Give yourself at least a monthly self-breast exam so you'll know if there are any changes."

What causes pain in the middle of my chest between my breasts?

Costochondritis can cause pain in the middle of your chest (sternum), between your breasts. Inflammation of the sternum causes this condition.

Why does my breast hurt when I press it?

Hormone changes, injury, certain medications, and health conditions can all cause your breast to hurt when you press it.

When should I worry about breast pain?

If your breast pain doesn't go away or if you notice symptoms such as a lump, color changes, swelling, heaviness, or thickening or dimpling of the skin, see your doctor.

Can stress cause breast pain?

Yes, anxiety and stress can be linked to breast pain.