Breast tenderness is

Why do my breasts hurt? Breast pain linked to periods 3. Breast pain not linked to periods 4.

In most cases, breast pain is a by-product of reproductive life: Like breast swelling, it waxes and wanes during the menstrual cycle, and it's one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. Many women expect breast pain to go away after menopause. When it doesn't, they may fear they have breast cancer.

Breast pain is any discomfort, tenderness, or pain in the breast or underarm region, and it may occur for a number of reasons. Generally, breast pain is not a sign of breast cancer. Although many women with pain in one or both breasts may be concerned that it is breast cancer, breast pain is NOT commonly a symptom of cancer.

Back to Health A to Z. There are many reasons breasts can be painful. Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer.

Also called cyclic mastalgia, this type of breast pain is linked to our menstrual cycle, and the way in which our reproductive hormone levels change. It is related to the monthly rise and fall in the estrogen and progesterone levels, making this pain appear and disappear cyclically. This kind of cyclical breast pain that occurs every month is rarely ever a symptom of breast cancer, and usually subsides on its own once menstruation begins. This type of breast pain is not linked to your menstrual cycle and does appear to grow or subside with your period.

Breast soreness is very common. It affects most women at some time in their lives. The degree of soreness, and where and how it is felt, differs for each woman.

Noncyclic breast pain. The pain may come from the breast. Or it may come from somewhere else, such as nearby muscles or joints, and may be felt in the breast.