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Breast Pain

Welcome to our Health Decision Guide for women who experience breast pain or discomfort.

By answering a short series of questions, you will learn about reasons for breast pain most relevant to you.

There are times that you can expect increased sensitivity, soreness, or tenderness in one or both breasts. Many women experience this just before or during menstrual periods. These symptoms can also occur with a normal pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Breast discomfort and sensitivity are often part of the pre-menstrual syndrome. Sometimes these pre-menstrual symptoms can be more bothersome around the time of menopause.

Painful breasts are most worrisome when accompanied by a breast lump or nipple discharge. The presence of a breast lump or nipple discharge is always a reason to contact your doctor, even if you don't have any pain.

To get the most from this guide, we recommend that you do a self-breast exam first. It will make it easier to answer some of the questions.

Click here to begin.

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Date Last Modified: 11/1/2007

Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
 
 
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Symptom Checker content copyright © 2006 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell. Use of content is subject to Terms & Conditions and Medical Disclaimer. More information on Harvard Medical School's publications and services is available at http://www.health.harvard.edu.

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