“What does it mean when your breasts are still sore after your period ends, and why do my nipples hurt so bad?”
It’s common for women to have sore breasts or nipples some time or another, and they may also experience tenderness, throbbing, and pain.
Doctors rarely provide a cancer diagnosis when a patient has pain in their breasts, and there are various reasons why women experience breast or sore sensitivity.
For instance, this can depend on their medications, their menstrual cycle, or the type of bra they are wearing, among others.
Let’s go through the reasons why your breasts or nipples might be sore. We’ll also be discussing some of the frequently asked questions, such as “what happens when you have sore nipples but you’re not pregnant?” or “what does it mean when your nipples hurt when you’re not on your period?”
Reason #1: You’re Wearing an Ill-Fitting Bra
Choosing the wrong bra size is one of the most common problems that is associated with breast and nipple soreness in women.
Bras provide support for heavy, fatty tissue in your breasts; therefore, if you’re not wearing the correct size or you’re wearing old bras that are stretched out, they may not provide enough support to your breasts.
As a result, wearing an ill-fitting bra can lead to back pain, neck discomfort, and shoulder pain.
You should also avoid wearing tight bras or those that come with a small-sized cup, as these can cause a lot of pressure to your breasts, increasing sensitivity.
If you think you’re wearing the wrong bra size and have difficulty measuring yourself, we recommend visiting a department or lingerie shop, as these offer accurate measurements.
Reason #2: You Have a Muscle Strain
If you are an athlete or a weightlifter, you have a great chance of experiencing muscle strain. This occurs in your pectoral muscles that are found beneath and around your breasts.
People usually have muscle strains in one breast, and you might think that the pain is coming from the inside of your breast tissue.
This condition also brings with it swelling and bruising. Some patients may also be unable to move their arm or shoulder.
It’s important to stop exercising if you have a pectoral strain, as it can take longer to heal and cause more tissue damage.
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.
Reason #3: You’re On Your Period
“My nipples hurt so bad when I’m on my period, and my breasts feel tender. Is this normal?”
Breast pain is very common if you’re menstruating – This is because your body has high levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones throughout the month, which increase the size and number of your breast ducts and milk glands. 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.
What If Your Breasts Are Still Sore After Your Period Ends?
There are different causes why your breasts are still sore after your period ends, such as:
Pregnancy
You may notice that your breasts are sore while you’re pregnant. This is because your body experiences many hormonal changes that cause your breasts to swell and become tender.
Also, you might not know that you’re pregnant at first, as a lot of women who have implantation bleeding or early pregnancy spotting think that they’re menstruating.
However, other symptoms that can occur in the early pregnancy stages include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Constipation.
- Tiredness.
- An increase in vaginal discharge.
- Constipation.
- Frequent urination.
We recommend taking a pregnancy test to determine if you have breast pain and other pregnancy symptoms.
Medication
If your breasts are still sore after your period ends, check what medications you’re taking, as some can cause breast pain, such as:
- Antibiotics.
- Antidepressants.
- Hormone replacement treatment.
It is best to discuss your treatment with a medical professional if you’re still experiencing sensitivity while taking a new drug. However, you should not stop taking your medication without the doctor’s approval.
Breast Tissue Inflammation
We refer to breast tissue inflammation as mastitis, and it is very common in women who are breastfeeding.
It usually affects one breast and cause:
- Burning pain that happens during breastfeeding.
- A white nipple discharge.
- Swelling or pain.
- A lump in the breast.
Fungal Infection
You may be wondering, “why are my nipples sore when I’m not pregnant or on my period?”, “Should you be concerned when you have sore nipples, but you’re not pregnant?”
You may have a fungal infection if you have sore nipples, but you’re not pregnant. We also refer to it as thrush, and it is common in those who are breastfeeding.
If you have thrush, you may have:
- Cracked nipples.
- A blister-like rash on the nipples
- Shooting pains during or after breastfeeding
- Flaky nipples.
Breast Cancer
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:
- A lump in the breast or in the armpit
- Nipple discharge.
- Nipple pain.
- Breast swelling.
- Flaky skin.
- A change in your breast size or shape
Reason #4: You’re Breastfeeding
One of the most common questions that patients ask is, “What does it mean when your nipples hurt while you’re breastfeeding?”
Sore nipples are common if you have just started breastfeeding, and they can also become dry and cracked. An improper breastfeeding latch can cause pain.
Therefore, you should seek medical help if you have sore nipples and breastfeeding is painful. Doctors can discuss the different feeding positions and techniques that should be comfortable for you and your baby.
At Breast Care Center Miami, we also recommend our patients to do the following:
- Massaging the area around the milk ducts
- Applying a warm compress
- Allowing your nipples to air dry and using breathable cotton pads
- Changing positions every time you breastfeed
Reason #5: You Have a Cyst
You may have breast cysts, which are round and oval lumps, and these can develop in one or both breasts.
They can cause pain and tenderness and can increase in size and become more painful before the period starts.
A doctor can determine if the cyst is what is causing your symptoms or if it is something serious.
Some women don’t require treatment as they don’t experience any symptoms. However, if you do have symptoms, these can be helpful to ease the pain:
- Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Applying a cold or hot compress
- Consuming fewer foods that contain salt as they can retain water which can lead to swelling
Book Your Appointment Today
Breast and nipple pain and sensitivity are common in pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding or taking medications.
Home remedies can help ease your symptoms, but if these don’t work or you have persistent pain, swelling, and fever, our team at Breast Care Center Miami can provide you with a diagnosis and a treatment plan for your condition.
Call our reception desk today to set up an appointment with us – We are open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
