What if your nipples are hurting

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.

Some patients may also be unable to move their arm or shoulder. That said, you should avoid doing any type of activity that increases blood flow to the injured muscle, such as drinking alcohol, taking hot showers, and stretching. A doctor usually provides a diagnosis by asking about your medical history and performing an MRI and ultrasounds.

Is this normal? As a result, a lot of women have swelling in their breasts. Swelling can also happen before your period starts, and you may also experience tenderness and pain. However, these symptoms should disappear as your period ends. There are different causes why your breasts are still sore after your period ends , such as:. This is because your body experiences many hormonal changes that cause your breasts to swell and become tender. However, other symptoms that can occur in the early pregnancy stages include the following:.

We recommend taking a pregnancy test to determine if you have breast pain and other pregnancy symptoms. We refer to breast tissue inflammation as mastitis, and it is very common in women who are breastfeeding.

We also refer to it as thrush, and it is common in those who are breastfeeding. Even though breast pain is not a symptom of cancer, it can sometimes cause pain. You should also see a doctor if you have any of the following cancer symptoms:. Like any part of your body, breasts can be injured. This can happen because of an accident, while playing sports or from breast surgery. You may feel a sharp, shooting pain at the time of injury. Tenderness can linger for a few days up to several weeks after trauma to the breast.

Without proper support, the ligaments that connect breasts to the chest wall can become overstretched and painful by the end of the day. The result is achy, sore breasts. This may be especially noticeable during exercise. Make sure your bra is the correct size and provides good support. What feels like breast pain may actually be coming from your chest wall. This is the area of muscle, tissue and bone that surrounds and protects your heart and lungs.

Common causes of chest wall pain include:. Breastfeeding can sometimes be the source of breast pain. Another cause for sore nipples while breastfeeding is thrush. Thrush is a yeast infection you can get if your nipples dry out and become cracked from breastfeeding. Your baby can also get thrush in their mouth.

It shows up as white patches on their tongue, gums, and other surfaces inside the mouth. Avoiding tight clothes and wearing a more supportive bra can help control nipple pain. Every time you buy a new bra, try it on. It can help to visit a store where the salesperson measures you to make sure you get the right fit.

They can watch you breastfeed and provide tips and guidance to help make it easier. Your outlook depends on which condition is causing your nipple pain. Soreness related to your period should go away on its own. Breastfeeding pain caused by an infection should improve with treatment. Breast cancer outlook depends on the stage of your cancer and what treatment you get. Read this article in Spanish. Premenstrual breast swelling and tenderness are common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS.

A burning nipple can be extremely uncomfortable, but is it serious? Sore nipples are common in breastfeeding women. Here are 13 ways to prevent and manage sore nipples while breastfeeding, plus signs that you may need…. Here are other symptoms to watch for and when to see your doctor. A tingling sensation in the breast is most often related to hormonal changes and early pregnancy.

Find out how you can treat tingling or soreness, and….