Breast pain treatment at Dr Ahuja clinic Chandigarh

Breast pain medically called “Mastalgia” is very common and of great importance to the patient as evidenced by a large number of ladies (>50%) seeking consultation for the same in a breast clinic. It is the most common symptom of the breast for which women consult breast specialists.

Breast is a dynamic organ made up of epithelial tissue (which is hormonally sensitive) interspersed in fat and fibrous tissue. Dynamic because it responds cyclically to the female hormones from menarche (puberty) to menopause. It also responds to a variety of other hormones present in the body. So we can say that changes in the fine tuning of the hormones can cause changes in the breast and can lead to breast pain and lumpiness as well.

Mastalgia can be cyclical or noncyclical or extramammary (not arising from the breast)

Cyclical breast  pain

is the pain that occurs with each menstrual cyclical, typically starting a few days prior to the periods. It peaks just prior to the period and gradually subsiding with the start of periods. It is generally seen on both sides.it is an exaggerated premenstrual symptom staring in the second half of the cycle ie after ovulation .patient complains of fullness/ tightness/ pain ache/ tenderness. It is more often seen in ladies of the 30-40 yrs age group .

Non cyclical breast pain

can have hormonal causes and non hormonal causes, it is more likely to be one sided and can have variable locations. This is generally not related to the menstrual cycle. The pain often is described as burning/ achy/ soreness in the breast. It can be a constant pain, recurring off and on , usually in one breast. Age group is 40-50 yrs . it is more difficult to treat.

Other Causes of breast pain

Treatment

The most important treatment is reassurance after thorough clinical breast examination CBE, breast imaging as per age of the patient.

A pain chart given to the patient will help differentiate between cyclical and noncyclical breast pain as well as the severity of breast pain.

Treatment options are:

Most women with mastalgia are reassurance seekers in the sense that they are worried about breast cancer. A careful history and good clinical examination, use of pain charts / visual analogues and an ultrasound/ mammography will help rule out this possibility.

Ahuja Clinic is a Breast Clinic where both doctors are Breast Specialists in Chandigarh . Dr Ruchi Rai Ahuja is a Gynaecologist with degree in breast and Dr Alok Ahuja is a Breast Surgeon in Chandigarh. Here all treatments for breast related problems are handled by experienced doctors.