Breast pain in a teen is rarely cancer. So what can cause pain and what should you do? All mammals have breasts and humans are no exception. Breasts, which are milk-producing glands, begin to enlarge in females around the start of puberty. Breasts are made of fat and other tissue that surround and protect nerves, blood vessels, and milk ducts small tube-like paths. The main biological reason that women develop breasts is so they can feed their babies. Some women give their babies formula from bottles, but many women breastfeed their newborns.
In fact, doctors recommend breastfeeding, when possible, as the best way to meet a baby's nutritional needs. The timing of breast development varies from girl to girl.
Most girls begin getting breasts around 10 or But it's normal for breast development to start anytime between the ages of 8 and In general, it takes 4 to 5 years for a girl's breasts to reach their adult size. When guys start puberty it is common to develop a small amount of breast enlargement too. During puberty, hormones in the body can cause the breasts to grow larger.
The difference is that for guys, this condition is called gynecomastia and is usually temporary. One of the most common times that breasts might feel sore is when they are beginning to develop. First you might notice a small button-like lump beneath the nipple area. The medical name for this is the breast bud , and is common in guys and girls.
The breast bud may be a little tender. But don't worry — it's a normal part of puberty. It is also common to have sore breasts around the beginning of a girl's period, or menstruation. Some women notice that their breasts get sore just before their period. This soreness is caused by a rise in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which causes your breasts to fill with fluid and enlarge.
The pain should go away once your period arrives or shortly thereafter. Pregnancy is a time of change in your body. Breast enlargement and soreness are among the earliest signs of pregnancy. You might also see some small bumps pop up around your nipples. The soreness should pass, but your breasts will likely keep growing as your pregnancy progresses. Crusting , flaking, or blistering around your nipple in addition to pain may indicate that you have a skin condition called dermatitis.
Eczema is one type of dermatitis. Dermatitis happens when immune cells in your skin overreact and cause inflammation. Sometimes you can get dermatitis from coming into contact with irritating substances like detergents or soaps.
Nipple pain is one sign of breast cancer. Along with the pain, you might also have symptoms like these:. Nipple pain is most likely not cancer. If the cause is friction, switching to a better-fitting bra or shirt may help. Dermatitis is treated with steroid creams and lotions that bring down inflammation. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and what seems to trigger the soreness.
For example, they may ask if your nipples hurt right before your period or when you breastfeed. Then the doctor will examine your breasts and nipples. If you suspect you might be pregnant, your doctor will do a blood test to confirm it. Women who breastfeed can sometimes develop sore nipples from the suction, especially when your baby first starts to latch on. Expressing milk with a breast pump can also cause nipple pain if the shield is ill-fitting or if the suction is too high.
Mastitis is an infection that makes the breast swell up, turn red, and become sore. Other symptoms include a fever and chills. You can develop mastitis when milk gets trapped in one of your milk ducts and bacteria start to grow inside. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Untreated mastitis can lead to a collection of pus in your breast called an abscess. The nipples and areola may darken and ache, and small bumps may pop up around the nipples. Well-fitting support bras may help reduce friction and ease soreness.
Some pregnant women find it helpful to wear a supportive sleep bra overnight, such as the one shown here. Sleep bras are also helpful for reducing nipple and breast pain after the baby is born. Cooling gel packs, such as these , can also soothe inflamed or painful nipples caused by breast-feeding. Breast-feeding is a common cause of nipple soreness. This is mostly due to the latching technique of the baby. If the baby does not have enough of the breast in its mouth, the nipple will be up against the gum and hard palate.
Babies should latch deep on the breast with the nipple at the back of the throat. If a mother uses a breast pump, this can also cause nipple pain. The pain may be caused by too much suction or using a nipple shield that does not fit correctly.
Adjusting the breast pump to a more comfortable setting and acquiring properly-fitting nipple shields may help reduce discomfort. An infant starting to teeth is another potential cause of nipple pain, as they may change how they latch on and even bite the nipple.
A breast-feeding woman can try to encourage the infant to take more of the breast into their mouth, so they do not bite down as easily.
If a baby presses the nipple too hard between their gums and the roof of their mouth, it can restrict blood flow to the nipple.
This can result in what is called a vasospasm, which is painful and causes the nipple to turn white, then red, then purple in quick succession. Nipple pain caused by friction may be prevented by wearing a properly-fitted sports bra, smooth synthetic fabrics, or by using protective products, such as rash guards and nipple shields. Some creams or ointments may also help reduce friction.
Breast-feeding mothers are encouraged to seek the assessment and care of a lactation consultant to help their baby establish good feeding habits. Many health insurance plans cover this health need. If you want to buy nipple creams, then there is an excellent selection online with thousands of customer reviews.
Nipple soreness caused by hormonal changes in menstruation or pregnancy may respond well to warmth or pain relievers, such as ibuprofen Advil or acetaminophen Tylenol. Breast cancer is frequently treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Some cases may require the entire breast tissue to be removed. In most cases, pain in the nipples is simple and will clear up once the cause is treated.
Anyone experiencing persistent symptoms should see their doctor to discuss diagnosis and the correct treatment. Read this article in Spanish. Learn about nipple discharge, including information on what the discharge is, the most common causes, and the most effective treatments.
Mastitis is an infection in the tissue of the mammary glands. The infection can arise from a blocked milk duct or bacteria entering the breast through….
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