Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain, what's wrong?

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on January 22, 2025
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Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain are considered to be caused by fibrocystic breast changes. The symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes include cyclic swelling and pain in the breasts, often appearing or worsening before menstruation and reducing or disappearing after menstruation. It may manifest as swelling and pain in one or both breasts, or prickling and painful sensations, and can extend to the shoulders, upper arms, or thoracic regions. Few patients may experience nipple discharge. During physical examination, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are firm but not hard, can be felt in one or both breasts. Sometimes these lumps are tender, and their boundaries with the surrounding breast tissue are indistinct, but they are not adherent to the skin or pectoral muscles. Regular follow-up with breast ultrasound is advisable.

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Written by Wu Shi Ting
Breast Health Department
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What is the cause of breast pain before menstruation?

Many women experience breast pain before each menstrual period, but what exactly is the cause? Mild breast pain may be due to changes in hormones within the body and is considered a normal physiological condition. Of course, it could also be caused by diseases, such as the commonly seen fibrocystic breast changes, which result in cyclical breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle. There are also other diseases that can cause cyclical breast pain, which should be taken seriously. Especially in cases of severe pain, where even slight touch causes significant discomfort, it is advised to seek timely medical examination at a hospital.

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Written by Wang Xiu Mei
Obstetrics
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Is breast swelling and pain one week before menstruation a sign of pregnancy?

Breast swelling and pain a week before menstruation may be related to menstruation due to increased estrogen during the latter half of the menstrual cycle, leading to breast or nipple swelling and pain. If these symptoms occur outside of the menstrual period, it may indicate a breast condition such as fibrocystic breast disease, mastitis, or nipple infection. In such cases, it is necessary to visit a hospital for breast examinations like breast ultrasound or mammography to diagnose the condition. Generally, symptoms may relieve or disappear after menstruation, but breast pain can also be caused by local inflammation of the breast, and inflammation of the nipple can also cause swelling and discomfort. If symptoms are significant and accompanied by pain, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying the condition, and self-medicating should be avoided. On the other hand, during the early stages of pregnancy, a significant rise in hormones can also cause breast swelling and pain. Therefore, if there is a question about an impending menstrual cycle, it is advisable to undergo necessary tests to determine, and if there has been sexual intercourse for half a month, pregnancy can be confirmed through a blood test.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Will having sex with breast pain lead to pregnancy?

Women may experience breast tenderness before and after menstruation, or during ovulation. However, merely relying on breast tenderness to determine the likelihood of pregnancy during intercourse has no scientific basis. One should consider their menstrual cycle to see if it coincides with the ovulation period, which is typically about 14 days before the onset of the next menstrual cycle. The ovulation date, the five days before it, the four days after it, plus the day of ovulation itself, make up a total of ten days known as the ovulation period. Intercourse during this time is more likely to lead to pregnancy.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Can I apply magnesium sulfate for breast pain?

Breast distension pain generally does not require the administration of magnesium sulfate, as magnesium sulfate is typically used for cellulitis or inflammation and swelling and needs to be applied externally. Breast distension pain is usually related to breast hyperplasia, which is associated with elevated levels of estrogen in the body. Therefore, it is often treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Techniques such as soothing the liver and regulating the Qi, as well as coordinating the thoroughfare and conception vessels, can relieve pain. Endocrine treatments are also available, though ideally not used unless the pain is very significant during the premenopausal period, in which case it can be taken before the onset of menstruation. Vitamin therapy, including vitamins B, C, and E, can also be used; these improve liver function, regulate basal metabolism, and enhance the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, serving as adjunctive treatments for this condition.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain, what's wrong?

Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain are considered to be caused by fibrocystic breast changes. The symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes include cyclic swelling and pain in the breasts, often appearing or worsening before menstruation and reducing or disappearing after menstruation. It may manifest as swelling and pain in one or both breasts, or prickling and painful sensations, and can extend to the shoulders, upper arms, or thoracic regions. Few patients may experience nipple discharge. During physical examination, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are firm but not hard, can be felt in one or both breasts. Sometimes these lumps are tender, and their boundaries with the surrounding breast tissue are indistinct, but they are not adherent to the skin or pectoral muscles. Regular follow-up with breast ultrasound is advisable.