Pain in the chest in the region of the nipple. Main reasons. What to do if nipples hurt. Pain in the nipples: causes and treatment

In non-pregnant women, pain in the nipples often indicates some kind of pathology. There is pain in the nipples and in men - as a rule, this happens with endocrine disorders.

There are a large number of pathologies that can lead to the appearance of such pain in women. This symptom can manifest itself in different ways, and have certain features in each individual case. The more a woman tells about them at a doctor's appointment, the more accurately the doctor will be able to identify the cause of the pain, establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment:
1. Pathological pain in the nipples may disturb before, during and after menstruation, and may not be associated with the menstrual cycle at all.
2. By nature, pain sensations can be sharp, stabbing, pulling, aching, etc.

Pain in the nipples may be the only symptom, or be accompanied by discharge, induration, etc.

Pain in the nipples during pregnancy

Why does it arise?

In the early stages of pregnancy, many women note pain, burning, itching, and other discomfort in the nipples. They are especially intensified if you wear underwear that is not very comfortable, squeezing or rubbing the skin. When irritated by a bra, the nipples of pregnant women can become very tight and become even more sensitive (a condition referred to in the common people as "nipples stand").

What to do?

Pain in the nipples while breastfeeding

Common Causes

When a woman begins breastfeeding, the skin in the nipple area changes slightly: it becomes denser, rougher. This is necessary in order to protect it from constant mechanical stress. At the same time, milk constantly flowing from the nipple can soften the skin and cause irritation. Most often this happens if a nursing mother constantly wears a bra or wet breast pads. As a result, pain in the nipple may occur during feeding.

In some women, the nipple has an anatomically irregular shape. The most common situation is the so-called inverted nipple. At the same time, the baby cannot take the breast correctly for a long time, does not eat up during feeding, and the woman has pain in the nipple of the mammary gland. The only way out of this situation is the use of special nipple covers by a woman during breastfeeding.

During pregnancy, and then during breastfeeding, women are instructed to carefully observe personal hygiene. But if you wash your nipples with hot soapy water too often, this can lead to excessive dryness. As a result, during each feeding, the woman will experience pain in the nipples.

In general, during breastfeeding, any mechanical irritation and damage to the nipple can lead to pain during breastfeeding. For example, pain in the nipple of the breast during feeding can occur when combing, using a towel that is too hard.

In the form of pain in the nipple during feeding, any injuries and operations on the chest of a woman that occurred in the past, even when she was still a little girl, can manifest themselves.

If a woman produces a very large amount of milk, then, accumulating in the breast, it can lead to pain. They can occur during feedings, or in between. This condition is called lactostasis.

Another factor that can lead to pain in the nipples during feeding, but which women do not always pay attention to, is the use of uncomfortable and poorly fitting breast pumps.

Incorrect attachment of the baby to the breast

Pain in the nipples of the mammary glands during feeding may occur due to improper capture by the baby as a result of a disturbed bite. The most common reason for this is the use of pacifiers, especially if they are not quite physiological in shape.

Pain in the nipples during feeding with blockage of the external opening of the duct of the mammary gland

Some women, starting to experience pain in the nipples during feeding, and finding milk bubbles, take them for pimples and squeeze them out. Do not do this in non-sterile conditions. It is best to pierce the milk bladder with a doctor - this will reduce the risk of infection and the development of an inflammatory process. In principle, this can be done independently at home with a regular syringe needle, if the following requirements are met:
1. Before the puncture, the place where the milk vesicle is located must be thoroughly disinfected (for example, with medical alcohol).
2. Hands must be thoroughly washed and also treated with alcohol.
3. After the puncture, the intervention site must be treated with a solution of iodine or brilliant green.

Cracked nipples

Most often, nipple cracks are the result of improper attachment of the child to the breast, when he injures him with his jaws.

This causes severe pain in the nipples during feeding. Often it is so intense that it makes a woman stop breastfeeding. Other signs of cracked nipples:

• If the capillaries under the skin of the nipple are damaged, then the defect bleeds.
• Sometimes an inflammatory process can develop in the cracks of the nipples: swelling, redness, and increased pain are noted.
• If an infection penetrates into the crack, then this can cause purulent inflammation of the mammary gland - mastitis.

To prevent pain in the nipples caused by cracks, special pads are used, which are sold in pharmacies.

Wrong choice of underwear

Increased nipple sensitivity

To prevent pain in the nipples with their increased sensitivity, you can use comfortable and precisely sized underwear made from quality materials. Also, the doctor may recommend the use of special creams.

Pain in the nipples of the mammary glands can be provoked by the following irritants:

• Chemicals and dyes for fabrics. Therefore, before putting on new underwear, it is advisable to wash it thoroughly.
• Chemical detergents, washing powders, bleaches, conditioners (after washing, clothes must be rinsed well.
• Soaps, gels, body lotions and other personal care products.
• Cosmetics items: powders, deodorants, etc.
• Creams and ointments that are used to treat various diseases of the nipples; they, in turn, can act as irritants.

Pain in the nipples before menstruation

PMS

Pain in the nipples before menstruation with PMS occurs as a result of the fact that hormonal changes occur in the female body. An increase in the level of hormones in the blood leads to the fact that the milk ducts and sinuses grow and increase in size in the mammary gland. In addition, there is a slight swelling of the nipple due to increased blood flow.

Fibrocystic mastopathy

With fibrocystic mastopathy, there is pain in the nipples and mammary gland before menstruation, as well as other symptoms:
1. The presence of seals in the chest, the number and size of which can vary greatly.
2. Discharge from the nipples, most often transparent.

For mastopathy, it is very characteristic that all the symptoms occur immediately before menstruation, and with their arrival it decreases or disappears completely. However, over time, the pathology progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced and prolonged.

Pain in the nipples before menstruation with mastopathy may differ in intensity and nature. At first, they are not very pronounced and pass quickly, resembling the manifestation of premenstrual syndrome. In the future, each time they are more and more intensified, disturbing not only before menstruation, but also during them.

In order to understand in time that pain in the nipples is caused precisely by mastopathy, every woman should be able to independently examine her mammary glands. This is done very simply. First, an examination is made in the mirror, while you need to pay attention to the symmetry of the mammary glands, their location, the presence of deformations. This is followed by palpation in a standing and lying position. The chest is felt, making movements from the axillary region to the nipple.

The final diagnosis is established after ultrasound and mammography (X-ray examination of the mammary glands). Treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy involves the use of hormonal and non-hormonal drugs, surgical intervention.

If the first and third therapy options are more likely to be radical methods, then treatment with non-hormonal drugs is characterized by a much lower risk of side effects. At the same time, registered drugs have proven efficacy.

Pain in the nipples after menstruation

Especially close attention to their health should be paid to young nulliparous girls who are worried about chest pains after menstruation. If this symptom occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Mastitis

In the future, the mammary gland swells even more and increases in size. The skin in the nipple area becomes tense and hot to the touch. The pains intensify, become even sharper, the touch is very painful. In the future, if there is no treatment, an abscess (abscess) may form in the nipple area. With an abscess, the pain persists, but the mammary gland becomes softer, pus may be released from the nipple.

Suspicion of psoriasis should arise if irregularly shaped red spots are found at the site of pain.

Psoriasis is diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist. Therapy is selected for each patient individually.

Eczema

When pain and rashes appear in the nipple area, a woman should consult a dermatologist. The diagnosis is easily established after an external examination. Treatment for each woman is selected individually.

Candidiasis

• for a long time there is swelling and inflammation;
• cracks;
• small bubbles.

With candidiasis of the nipples, there are signs of candidiasis of the mucous membranes: the vagina, the digestive tract.

The cause of pain in the nipples with candidiasis is established by a dermatologist. Antifungal treatment is prescribed.

Herpes

Itching and pain in the nipples with a herpes virus infection can have different strength and intensity, depending on what type of virus the disease is caused by.

If acute pain in the nipples and symptoms resembling a herpes virus infection occur, a woman should contact a gynecologist or dermatologist as soon as possible. Of particular danger is the herpes virus for a child in a pregnant woman.

Treatment consists in the appointment of antiviral agents for external use (creams, ointments, solutions).

Impetigo

The development of nipple impetigo is due to the penetration of pathogens into the skin with minor injuries. For example, nipple cracks, their rubbing with uncomfortable underwear, etc. contribute to this. Streptococci and staphylococci most often act as pathogens.

Acute pain in the nipple area with impetigo is combined with the following symptoms:

• the formation of pustules on the skin, which have a characteristic appearance;
• redness, swelling of the skin in the affected area;
• after the pustules open, they turn into crusts;
• after the crusts fall off, small sores remain in their place;
• the general condition of the woman may also be disturbed: the body temperature rises, general malaise is noted, etc.

Stitching pain in the nipple due to nerve damage

Stitching pain in the nipple of nervous origin can disturb a woman for a short time, and then pass without a trace. Sometimes it - on the contrary, is very long, requires a long and persistent treatment.

Pain of muscular origin

In these conditions, pain does not occur in the nipple itself, but is only reflected in it.

Paget's disease

Paget's disease is insidious in that often its symptoms in the early stages are not very pronounced, and resemble eczema. Swelling, redness, peeling, itching may appear in the nipple area. These signs are expressed so weakly that a woman often does not even attach importance to them. Then comes an imaginary improvement. Subsequently, more unpleasant symptoms appear - such as severe itching, burning, tingling, pain in the nipples. Droplets of blood come out of them.

Only with an external examination, it is impossible to establish the diagnosis of Paget's cancer. If the doctor has such a suspicion, then he prescribes a biopsy - an examination of the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin of the nipple under a microscope.

Pain in the nipples in men

It often happens that for many reasons a woman feels an unpleasant pain in her nipples. There are many different reasons for this. We have to figure out why a woman's nipples hurt. Since pain in the chest area can be caused by various processes in the body, both natural and beneficial for a person, and not so much, and pain in the nipples can signal any abnormalities.

Why do nipples hurt? There are many provoking factors that affect the occurrence of these pains. In girls, pain occurs as a result of growing up, before and during menstruation, during pregnancy and during lactation, with stagnation of milk and for a number of other reasons. When painful sensations arise, the question arises: what are the reasons when the nipples hurt. And what should you do if you experience discomfort? Let us find out the main reasons for this phenomenon.

Before menstruation

Before menstruation, many women have chest pain, nipples hurt a couple of days before menstruation, this phenomenon is called mastalgia. The breast becomes larger, the nipples become coarse, and pain is felt. The pain is most pronounced at the beginning of the cycle, then subsides.

Women have long been interested in the question: why do nipples hurt before menstruation? During the preparation of the body for menstruation, the body produces the hormones progesterone and prolactin, this is a factor in the appearance of pain in the nipples. When menstruation begins, the pain becomes less and less, then disappears altogether. Although there are exceptions when the chest can hurt during this process.

Pregnancy

At this time, the female body begins to actively prepare for childbirth, serious changes begin to occur in the body, one of which is breast enlargement, filling it with milk. Nipples darken, swell, colostrum begins to form. Important hormones such as progesterone and prolactin are also produced, which can lead to increased sensitivity and pain in the chest.

Why does a girl's nipples hurt during pregnancy? And what if the nipples are swollen and sore? You should not worry, the mother's body is preparing for feeding. At this time, all the changes taking place in the breast are the development of the milk lobules. This phenomenon occurs only during pregnancy and women who give birth in the future become less susceptible to cancer.

Each experiences the process of pregnancy in different ways: some have tingling in the nipples, others are especially sensitive to cold, some nipples become darker, but the sensitivity remains the same, while other women have a sore papilla and breasts in general. But by the beginning of the second trimester, the pain begins to subside.

Feeding

The pain appears when the breast is filled with milk, increases in volume. Because of this, girls are worried about pain in the mammary glands.

Also, sore nipples can be triggered by the following factors:

• if the nipples are irregularly shaped;
• with the wrong butt of the child to the chest;
• with too sharp weaning of the child from the breast.

In this case, the nipples are deformed, cracked, and this can cause more serious consequences for the breast. At the same time, you need to alternate feeding: if the left papilla of a woman hurts, you need to change the breast, if the right nipple hurts, you need to give the left one.

milk stasis

When milk stagnates, it accumulates in large quantities in the breast. Then the nipples hurt when pressed, the nipples hurt when touched. To avoid this, after giving birth, you need to consult with a specialist on the topic of proper breastfeeding, to clarify all the nuances. If the baby does not take the breast, you need to express, in order to avoid stagnation and subsequent pain.

In addition, there are other equally important causes of pain that are uncomfortable for a woman's body. Let's look at other reasons why nipples may hurt.

Other reasons

Puberty

During this period, the processes of active production of hormones take place in the girl’s body. , the mammary glands grow, become larger, the breast becomes more sensitive, at such moments the chest especially hurts in the nipple area.

During puberty, the girl's body begins active preparation for the process of motherhood. As a rule, at the end of puberty, these inconveniences pass. If, nevertheless, the pain does not go away for a long time, it is necessary to consult a specialist in order to exclude any pathologies.

Frequent nipple stimulation

This zone is the most sensitive and at first you may not understand why a woman's papilla hurts.

Everything is very simple: if the nipple zone is excited or stimulated too often, then the chest in the nipple area often hurts because of this. It is necessary to control the stimulation so that it does not cause discomfort, and in the future it would not hurt to touch the nipples.

Low temperature

At low temperatures, the breasts require special care, since at this time the nipples can shrink and turn red, which can lead to pain. If your nipples become red and dry, you need to take special care of this part of the body: use a padded bra, moisturize your nipples so that there is no dryness and irritation.

allergic reactions

Some women have particular sensitivities to various fabrics and body care products that can irritate the nipples. In this case, you need to choose clothes and underwear made from natural fabrics, and cosmetics - on a natural basis.

Injuries

After injuries and strokes, pain in the nipples may occur.

If blood or any discharge comes out of the nipples, you should immediately consult a doctor!

Improper use of oral contraceptives

As a result of improper use of contraceptives, hormonal failure can occur. Therefore, you cannot select these funds on your own, they must be prescribed by a doctor who, after a series of studies, will select contraceptives for you individually.

Severe emotional states, stress

Stressful situations often lead to hormonal imbalance, one of the symptoms of which can be pain in the nipples.

Skin diseases

Such diseases include thrush or the herpes virus. With thrush, the virus enters the mammary glands through cracks in the nipples, as a result of which they become inflamed, sore and crusted. The main thing is to diagnose the problem in time and turn to a specialist to prevent subsequent complications.

Wrong linen

In most cases, when pain occurs, women do not take into account that the wrong bra may be the culprit. You should know that improperly selected underwear is one of the most common causes of pain in the nipples and chest.

breast cancer

Sometimes obvious pain in the nipples is one of the signs of breast cancer. It is important to feel the chest for nodules and seals, if any, you should immediately contact a mammologist or gynecologist to dismiss such a diagnosis. Next, we will take a closer look at the alarming symptoms of neoplasms in the body.

anxiety symptoms

What to do if the nipples hurt, but you do not understand the cause of the pain? Pain can be a sign of malignant or benign formations, the development of this process is usually accompanied by additional symptoms such as discharge from the nipple, swollen and red nipples, breast changes, pain in the armpit.

As a rule, one breast is subject to pain, if, for example, the left breast hurts, the left nipple hurts, then both seals and neoplasms will be on it. Therefore, if you notice these symptoms in yourself, you do not need to deal with self-medication and self-diagnosis, you need to visit a specialist.

Prevention

If pain in the nipples manifests itself during certain natural phenomena: pregnancy, feeding, before the menstrual cycle, you should not sound the alarm, after a while the pain symptoms will disappear on their own. These are normal processes associated with certain processes in a woman's life.

But it is necessary to visit a mammologist if you do not understand why the nipples hurt a lot, and in addition to pain, the following symptoms are present: bloody discharge from the nipples, redness and inflammation of the nipples, discoloration of the nipples, severe sharp pains.

What to do if nipples hurt, how to make your life easier and reduce pain?

Before treating nipple pain, you must:

• find out the cause of the pain;
• less likely to touch the affected area;
• do not press if the nipples hurt when touched, you should wear loose clothing in which you will be comfortable, and not two sizes smaller;
• observe the rules of hygiene;
• protect the chest from mechanical damage.

If the pain of the nipples does not go away and is gaining strength, you need to consult a specialist. At the consultation, the doctor conducts a survey, finds out why the woman's nipples hurt. Also, the mammologist will palpate the breast, if necessary, prescribe an ultrasound or mammography and, depending on the result, prescribe the necessary treatment.

Treatment

To treat sore nipples, the following will help:

1. The use of emollients and moisturizers that help restore the affected areas.
2. Traditional medicine is also used, for example, a solution of propolis, aloe juice, which has an anti-inflammatory effect, disinfecting and analgesic plant-based oils, decoctions of chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort, as well as the use of ointments based on herbal preparations.

To prevent the occurrence of complications of pain in the chest area, if the first unpleasant symptoms occur, consult a doctor. This will help to find out the reason why the nipple or chest in general hurts. Follow the rules of hygiene, do not use alcohol-based cosmetics, choose comfortable underwear, do not self-medicate, listen to your body and be healthy!

Video

Why do breasts and nipples hurt? You will find the answer to this question in our video.

The nipple-areola complex is the most sensitive part of the mammary glands. Many women do not know the answer to the question: what does it mean if nipples hurt? Pain in this area is often caused by cyclic surges in hormones. However, in some cases, when the pain is acute and manifests itself too often, a specialist consultation is required.

You should not look for solutions on the forums, only a qualified mammologist can establish a reliable diagnosis after a series of examinations.

If the nipples hurt with a certain frequency, then the reason most likely lies in the physiology of the female body. The manifestations of each woman are individual, but in this case there is no reason for concern. Hormonal surges are absolutely normal in some periods of life.

The main physiological reasons include:

• cyclic mastodynia
• pregnancy and lactation

Cyclic mastodynia

Premenstrual syndrome is familiar to most of the fairer sex. At this time, a significant restructuring of the hormonal background occurs, which causes some discomfort in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe mammary glands. In the medical lexicon, pain in the nipples and mammary glands is called cyclic mastodynia.

Before the onset of menstruation, the content of progesterone in a woman's body rises, which can react with some biologically active substances, thereby preventing the removal of fluid. Together with increased blood flow to the mammary glands, the accumulated fluid causes a slight increase in breast volume. Nerve endings in the nipples are also involved, which causes pain when touched.

Unpleasant sensations often last no more than a week. With the onset of menstruation, the hormonal background returns to its previous levels, and all changes in the glands disappear. In this case, pain in the nipples is not a sign of pathology or abnormality. Often, a delay in the onset of the menstrual cycle also causes pain.

Pregnancy and lactation

Some girls consider soreness of the mammary gland and nipples to be a harbinger of pregnancy. It is impossible not to agree with this, because almost every woman experiences slight chest discomfort, being in an interesting position during the first months. The thing is that the glands begin to rebuild under the influence of prolactin, preparing for the upcoming lactation. The milk ducts proliferate, and the nerve endings are slightly delayed, which leads to pain when touched.

Painful sensations do not last throughout pregnancy and gradually disappear. Many women report that in later pregnancy, the discomfort disappears completely.

Lactation is also a common cause of breast and nipple pain. Firstly, young mothers do not always know how to properly breastfeed their baby. Secondly, the process of feeding irritates the delicate skin of the nipples at the initial stage.

The female breast is a rather sensitive part of the body. The skin of the nipples, not accustomed to breastfeeding, is often injured, thereby causing pain. In order to avoid problems with the skin of the nipples, it is necessary to consult with a breastfeeding specialist. He will tell you how to properly attach the baby to the breast, how to care for the skin of the breast and nipples in order to avoid dryness and cracking.

Damage in the form of cracks is often found in lactating women. Treatment must be carried out immediately to avoid the development of lactostasis and mastitis. At the time of treatment, feeding should be carried out from a healthy breast, and the second gland must be emptied using a breast pump. Milk from a diseased breast should never be given to a child.

Pathologies

Pain that is not cyclical in most cases is caused by the development of any pathology. There can be many reasons, therefore, if pain occurs in the middle of the cycle, as well as having an ongoing character, it is urgent to contact a mammologist.

Main reasons:

• benign or malignant tumors
• failures at the level of the endocrine or central nervous system
• regular psychological stress.

Pain in the chest and nipples can be a sign of the development of seals in the glands. The nipples and glands may hurt at different periods of the menstrual cycle.

The development of the tumor is also accompanied by the following symptoms:

• pain in the armpit
• discharge from the nipple of a different nature
• localization of pain in only one gland
• deformation and discoloration of the mammary glands and areola-nipple complex

Moreover, during self-examination and palpation, seals similar to small nodules may be found. Such symptoms should be a good reason for a serious breast examination.

Any disturbances in the endocrine or central nervous system can explain why the nipples hurt. Symptoms of intercostal neuralgia, adrenal dysfunction and disorders of the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, liver may include pain in the mammary glands or nipples.

The psychological aspect is directly related to hormonal balance. Stressful situations, shocks or deep depression - all this can cause failures. In such cases, treatment is carried out on a psychological level.

Other reasons

In addition to physiological and pathological causes, there are several other aspects that cause discomfort in the nipple area:

1. Incorrectly selected underwear very often causes pain. Many women complain of pain and burning in the breasts and nipples, which is facilitated by a too small bra size. A tight product squeezes the chest, which leads to trouble. Always choose quality underwear made from natural fabrics according to your size.
2. The absence of sexual relations for a long period of time - such a situation can put the body into a "sleep mode". With the resumption of sexual life, the mammary glands and nipples begin to hurt, which is caused by hormonal failure.
3. Various chest injuries - bruises can provoke the development of oncological pathology. If the gland has been damaged, it is recommended to undergo an examination.
4. Hygiene of the mammary glands using soap - it is undesirable to take care of the skin of the breast with soap. It dries out the skin and can also cause allergic reactions. Daily washing is best done with warm water without any means.
5. Allergic reactions to clothing or household chemicals. The solution is simple - eliminate the allergen, even if it is your favorite blouse or dress.
6. Taking oral contraceptives - birth control pills often contain hormones that can greatly affect the hormonal background. Failures at this level usually lead to discomfort in the area of ​​the mammary glands. Manufacturers always indicate what to expect from oral contraceptives in the "side effects" section. If the discomfort is too strong, then the drug should be replaced. But you should not solve the problem on your own - contact a gynecologist.

What to do if nipples hurt

You can get rid of unpleasant sensations quickly enough if you know why they appear. When the pain is caused by cyclic mastodynia or pregnancy, which cannot be prevented, then there is only one way out - to minimize the pressure on the mammary glands and not touch the chest once again. It is better to change the usual bra at this time to a softer and more comfortable bra without pits. The same applies to various jewelry. Choose what will make you more happy - the beauty of a long chain or the comfort in the chest area?

Pain during breastfeeding can be alleviated with proper breast care. Be sure to wash your breasts with warm water before and after feeding, use moisturizers or breast milk to prevent dry skin. It is also important to teach the child to properly latch onto the breast along with the nipple and areola. The baby can injure the nipples, which is usually caused by the mother herself. You can not sharply pull the chest out of the mouth of a newborn - he will definitely squeeze it reflexively.

When discomfort becomes too regular, incessant or extremely strong, it is necessary to undergo an examination. Pain in the nipples can often mean serious illness. If, in addition to this symptom, discharge, ulcers, erosion, redness, changes in appearance were noticed, then this may well be oncology. The mammologist will refer the woman for ultrasound/mammography, biopsy. The full picture can only be seen with a comprehensive study.

Pain in the nipples does not always characterize pathological processes in the body. Every woman should monitor her health and notice any abnormalities, which is facilitated by regular breast self-examination.

According to statistics, most of the fair sex regularly faces such a problem as nipple pain. And often this phenomenon is quite natural and natural in nature, because these painful sensations are an integral part of almost every menstrual cycle. However, in some cases, pain in the nipples occurs suddenly, for no apparent reason, which is why every woman who encounters this ailment immediately begins to panic. So why should we be concerned about this painful syndrome? And how dangerous is it? In this article, we will tell you about why nipples can hurt.

Causes of pain in the nipples

The chest is perhaps the most sensitive part of the female body, which is why even the smallest pain always causes great discomfort. Of course, these painful sensations can occur for several reasons, among which the most common are the following:

Incorrectly chosen, too tight underwear. If you regularly wear tight and narrow underwear, then the pain in this case occurs "clamping" of all nerve endings located in the nipples, which may cause such a syndrome as pain in the nipples;

Taking any hormonal drugs. As a rule, when taking any hormonal drugs, the pain in the nipple area is quite intense, and this happens due to the presence of a hormonal imbalance in the body. In order to get rid of these unpleasant sensations, it is enough to consult with your doctor, who, after passing the tests, will select the drug that suits you;

During the premenstrual cycle. This period in medical terminology is called mastodynia and its essence is as follows: immediately before the onset of menstruation itself, the level of a hormone such as progesterone rises in the blood, which, interacting with other active substances, “provokes” fluid retention in the body and in the milk. iron in particular. As a result of this process, there is an increased blood flow to the breast, as a result of which the female breast increases significantly in volume and becomes very sensitive, pain in the nipples also appears. This process lasts about five to seven days and disappears with the onset of the menstrual cycle;

Improper breastfeeding. During lactation, most women regularly experience such a problem as nipple pain, and this may be due to several factors. So, for example, the incorrect position of the mother or child during feeding can contribute to the occurrence of pain in this area. Incorrect removal of the breast from the baby or his incorrect way of sucking - all this also leads to pain in the nipples;

In the first trimester of pregnancy. When pregnancy occurs, the occurrence of pain in the nipples is a completely natural reaction of the body to the onset of hormonal changes in the female body. And the thing is that thanks to such a hormone as prolactin, the “growth” of the ducts of the mammary gland occurs, which is why we feel pain, burning in the nipples and soreness when touched. By the way, sudden pain in the nipples is a sure sign of pregnancy;

With a disease such as mastopathy. The essence of this disease is the presence of a benign formation in the mammary glands, which, in case of untimely detection and non-treatment, can cause the formation of an oncological tumor. That is why, with regularly occurring pain in the nipples, it is necessary to visit the appropriate specialist, namely, a mammologist.

In addition to the discomfort in the nipples themselves, a woman can also be accompanied by symptoms such as pain in the armpits and shoulders, swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, and bloody discharge when pressed directly on the nipple itself.

As you already understood, pain in the nipples can be caused by various reasons, which can be both natural and natural in nature and do not pose any threat to our health, and vice versa - this pain syndrome can occur against the background of the development of various pathologies and diseases that, in if left untreated, can result in quite serious consequences. That is why, with regularly occurring pains in this area, it is strongly recommended to visit your doctor, who, after passing the tests and undergoing ultrasound and tomography, will help to establish the true cause of this pain and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Of course, we all rarely prefer to seek help from doctors, however, if the following symptoms are present, it is urgent to visit a medical facility, because their presence may indicate the development of breast cancer:

Regularly occurring pain that is not associated with the premenstrual cycle, which is also accompanied by pain in the axillary zone;

Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit;

Change in color, size and shape of the nipple and its areola;

The presence of redness and swelling around the nipple and throughout the mammary gland;

The occurrence of cracks and erosion on the nipples;

The occurrence of any discharge from the nipple (both with an admixture of blood and pus, and without admixture) outside the period of breastfeeding.

Pain in the nipples from time to time occurs in more than sixty percent of the female population of our country. As a rule, they occur as a result of cyclic changes in the hormonal background. However, often these days, this symptom can be an alarming bell, indicating the presence of a serious illness.

Causes of pain in the nipples.
To the question "Why do nipples hurt?" It is impossible to give a definite answer, since the reasons may be different. In particular, pregnancy and lactation, as well as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are considered the main factors influencing their occurrence. Unpleasant painful sensations in the nipple area can be combined with general soreness of the mammary gland, and its intensity and nature can be different. In this case, the chest may be in a somewhat swollen state, and pain may spread to the shoulder or back. It should also be noted that pain in the nipples can be the result of taking antidepressants, hormone therapy drugs, and also manifest itself against the background of mastopathy, cysts in the mammary gland and some other diseases.

Cyclic mastodynia.
From a medical point of view, the occurrence of pain in the nipples a few days before the onset of menstruation is called mastodynia. I must say that this condition is familiar to almost every woman and it is associated with the menstrual cycle. This is due to the fact that before menstruation, the level of the hormone progesterone in the blood increases, moreover, when combined with certain biologically active substances, it can provoke the retention of excess fluid in the body, including in the mammary gland, as in this case. Against this background, due to increased blood flow, the chest somewhat adds in volume, nerve endings are affected, which cannot but affect the nipples, the sensitivity of which grows many times and can even cause quite noticeable pain, and this is observed only when you touch it . Fortunately, this phenomenon lasts only for five to seven days, and with the onset of menstruation it quickly passes (again, against the background of a decrease in the level of hormones in the blood). Pain in the nipple area is not considered a deviation or anomaly, it is a natural process. Delayed menstruation can also provoke the appearance of this unpleasant symptom.

Non-cyclic mastalgia.
Non-cyclic mastalgia or pain in the mammary gland is not similar to hormonal changes in the body. As a rule, the causes of their occurrence are neoplasms and inflammation in the mammary gland, malfunctions of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, various diseases of the liver, nervous system (in particular, intercostal neuralgia, segmental pain, etc.).

Pain in the mammary gland and directly in the nipples can also be caused by factors of a psychological nature: these are regular conflict and stressful situations, negative emotions, etc.

Pain can also occur when taking hormonal contraceptives, and they are more pronounced. Such conditions can signal the presence of a hormonal imbalance. In the event of such symptoms, you should consult a doctor, in most cases, the specialist prescribes another drug. In case of suspicion of the presence of mastopathy, the patient is prescribed an additional examination of the mammary glands using ultrasound, mammography, and the level of hormones in the blood is also detected.

Pain in the nipples during pregnancy and lactation.
It must be said that pain in the nipples is a common sign that indicates the presence of pregnancy (but not 100%). The increasing volume of blood flowing to the chest, the growth of the ducts of the mammary gland (which occurs due to prolactin or the hormone of pregnancy) do not always keep pace with the growth of nerve tissues, as a result of which there is a constant tension of the nerve fibers. Hence the pain, burning sensation and soreness when touched and rubbed against the tissue.

I hasten to reassure you, such pain is observed only in the early stages of gestation. In the future, the painful reaction of the nipples to external stimuli weakens or disappears altogether.

Breastfeeding is a rather difficult process for new mothers. Not all women do everything right at once, hence the pain in the nipples. Well, first things first.

In general, the chest is a very sensitive area in women, and nipples even more so. The skin there is very delicate and thin, which is why in the first days of feeding the baby, painful sensations may appear. Pain in the nipples and breasts during breastfeeding can be triggered by incorrect position during this process, improper sucking, improper removal of the breast from the baby after the end of feeding, excessive dryness of the skin in the nipple area, improper care of the skin of the breast during lactation ( complete absence or improper hygiene) and the appearance of cracks against this background. In addition, various cracks, injuries and other damage to the nipples can be one of the causes of such pain. In addition, the development of this unpleasant symptom can be facilitated by lactostasis and, as a result, beginning mastitis, wearing oppressive, improperly selected and poor-quality underwear, as well as damage to the nerve fibers directly in the nipple.

What to do if nipples hurt?
Any measures to alleviate symptoms depend on the causes that contribute to its occurrence. During pregnancy, during PMS and menstruation, try to touch areas that cause discomfort as little as possible, and also try to avoid pressure on the nipple area, for which give preference to comfortable and high-quality underwear, preferably without seams. In addition, jewelry should be worn at a certain length so that it does not directly touch the painful area.

If pain is observed during the period of feeding the baby, then it is important to observe thorough hygiene (before and after feeding, wash the breast with warm water without soap, soften with sea buckthorn oil, wait a few minutes after feeding for the milk to dry on the skin of the breast), protect this area from mechanical damage nature, apply special pads for the chest. It is very important from the first days of a baby's life to properly breastfeed him. Teach your baby to suck on the breast, capturing the areola and nipple completely. At the end of the feeding process, you do not immediately need to pull the breast out of the baby's mouth, because at the level of the reflex it will squeeze it. Therefore, it is better with a gentle movement of the little finger to push the baby's gums, he will easily and quickly release the breast.

When cracks appear, it is necessary to feed the child with the other half of the breast, and lubricate the second with a healing ointment, but at the same time, in order to avoid a decrease or cessation of lactation, milk should be constantly expressed.

If the pain in the nipples is excruciating, growing and not passing in nature and is in no way associated with the phases of the menstrual cycle, you should consult a doctor. You should also immediately seek help if, in addition to pain in the nipples, there are manifestations such as any discharge from the nipple outside lactation, if the nipple and areola have changed shape, color or size, if erosion, redness and swelling have appeared in painful areas, since all this may signal breast cancer. The gynecologist will prescribe an examination, including ultrasound (ultrasound). If necessary, they may refer you for a mammogram. If diagnosis is difficult, a biopsy may be ordered to look for the presence of cancer cells. And then everything will depend on the results. In any case, if you have the slightest doubt, contact the experts, do not postpone for later. This can harm your health.