What are the Most Common Causes of Sharp Breast Pain?

Sharp breast pain, which is also often referred to as mastalgia, may occur in many women for various reasons. One of the most common causes is trauma to the breast, which may include painful cysts. Some types of medication may also result in sore breasts, as can an imbalance of tissue in the area. Finally, one cause of breast pain is considered cyclical, as it tends to show up during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause since it is related to hormones. It should be noted that pain in the breast is rarely a symptom of cancer, and in most cases, the cause is typically treatable.

Getting hit in the breast, or perhaps being in a car accident during which the breast area is impacted, may lead to breast pain afterward. Trauma often leaves bruises, lacerations, or open wounds, so if this is the cause, there should be some evidence of injury. Of course, in some cases, the wound or bruise has already healed but the pain remains months or years after the trauma. Some women may notice a painful lump on their breast, often called a cyst, which is typically fluid-filled and sometimes tender to the touch. While most cysts are benign, and thus not harmful, women who notice lumps on their breasts should see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

Some types of medication may lead to sharp breast pain. For example, antidepressants often feature breast pain as a side effect, though other kinds of medication may also lead to this issue. Birth control pills also often come with this side effect. In fact, any pill containing hormones has the ability to bring on breast pain, as both natural and synthetic hormones are often to blame for tenderness, swelling, and sharp pains in breast tissue.

Not surprisingly, any stage in a woman's life that involves hormonal changes may cause sharp breast pain. For example, some women notice tenderness and shooting pains in the area just before menopause, while pregnancy and breastfeeding often bring on sharp pains, as well. Many women also get breast tenderness, swelling, and sharp pains every month, as menstruation can result in this issue.

Yet another cause of sharp breast pain is an imbalance of breast tissue. Any imbalance in fatty tissue can cause it to feel sensitive, which often results in mild to moderate pain. Fortunately, evening primrose oil is often considered a simple way to relieve the breast pain brought on by fatty tissue imbalance.