Mastalgia is breast pain. There are two types of mastalgia, cyclical and noncyclic. Cyclical breast pain is most often associated with menstrual periods. Noncyclic pain does not vary with the menstrual cycle.
Mastalgia can be caused by:
These factors increase your chance of developing mastalgia. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
Symptoms of mastalgia may include:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Breast cancer does not commonly cause pain. However, your doctor may also do a mammogram .
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:
Worry of cancer can be the main concern associated with mastalgia. Performing a mammogram to rule out cancer as a cause can provide reassurance.
Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) may reduce the pain associated with mastalgia. Also, toremifene (Fareston), which is used in the hormonal treatment of breast cancer, may help reduce cyclical mastalgia.
RESOURCES:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org/
The National Women's Health Information Center
http://www.4woman.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Women's Health Network
http://www.cwhn.ca/indexeng.html/
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org/
References:
Mastalgia. DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Accessed May 21, 2007.
Mastalgia and breast lumps: breast disorders. Merck Manual Professional website. Available at: http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec18/ch253/ch253b.html . Accessed May 21, 2007.
Last reviewed January 2009 by Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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