Are nipple pain and breast tenderness the same thing?

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on March 23, 2025
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Nipple pain and breast swelling are the same issues, both caused by mammary gland hyperplasia. Mammary gland hyperplasia mainly manifests as cyclic swelling and pain of the mammary glands, typically occurring or worsening before menstruation and diminishing or disappearing after menstruation. The mild cases get unnoticed by patients, while severe ones can impact daily life and work. However, some patients do not show obvious cyclical changes. It may present as swelling and pain in one or both breasts, similar to needle pricks, possibly extending to the shoulders, upper limbs, or thoracic-back area. A minority of patients may experience nipple discharge, and the condition can last for a long time, but symptoms usually disappear or diminish after menopause. During physical examinations, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are tough but not hard, can sometimes be felt in one or both breasts. These lumps sometimes move when touched, and their boundaries with the surrounding breast tissue are not clear. However, they are not adherent to the skin or pectoral muscles. Sometimes it appears as a thickened area with unclear boundaries. The lumps often swell before menstruation and shrink afterward.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is breast swelling and pain after missing a period a sign of pregnancy?

The cessation of menstruation accompanied by breast pain could indicate pregnancy, but that’s not always the case. Similar symptoms to pregnancy, such as breast tenderness and delayed periods, can occur just before a woman's menstrual cycle. However, these symptoms can be influenced by factors such as fatigue, staying up late, medications, etc., leading to just a delay in menstruation. Before menstruation begins, the breasts are affected by hormones, causing ductal proliferation and edema, resulting in pain. However, this pain differs from the pain experienced during pregnancy. Pregnancy test strips can be used to check. It is generally recommended to conduct the test after a week’s delay of the menstrual period.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
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Will ovulation cause breast pain?

Generally speaking, breast pain may occur during the ovulation period, but this varies from person to person. However, having breast pain does not necessarily mean ovulation is occurring. If breast pain occurs during ovulation, it could be due to ovulation, but other conditions such as hormonal influences, breast hyperplasia, or mastitis cannot be ruled out. It is recommended that patients visit a hospital for examinations such as breast ultrasound or mammography to rule out any medical conditions.

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Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
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Frequent urination and breast pain, is this pregnancy?

Frequent urination and breast pain are not necessarily symptoms of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the forward tilting of the uterus presses on the bladder, which can cause frequent urination. Breast pain generally occurs around the eighth week of pregnancy due to an increase in estrogen and progesterone, promoting the growth of mammary ducts and tissue. However, these are not exclusive symptoms of pregnancy. To confirm pregnancy, detection through blood and urine HCG tests, as well as ultrasound scans can be used. For blood HCG levels, they can be detected as elevated about ten days after intercourse, and urine HCG can be detected about 14 days after intercourse using a pregnancy test. Around six weeks after missing a period, an ultrasound can determine if there is any pregnancy tissue in the uterus.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
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How to regulate premenstrual breast swelling and pain

Before menstruation, estrogen levels rise and the breast tissue becomes congested and swollen, leading to breast pain. At this time, it is recommended for women to maintain a light diet, keep in a pleasant mood, avoid irritability, have regular routines, avoid excessive fatigue, and engage in moderate exercise, among other practices. After menstruation begins, hormone levels decrease, and this type of pain naturally eases without needing much attention. However, if the pain is severe and affects normal life, or if the pain lasts beyond the menstrual period, it is advised to visit a breast surgery specialist 3 to 5 days after the end of the period for an examination.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Should I use cold or hot compress for breast pain?

For breast tenderness, we generally choose hot compresses to reduce pain. For the occurrence of mammary gland hyperplasia, it is recommended to use medication for symptomatic treatment, which may include traditional Chinese medicine. This treatment involves soothing the liver and regulating qi, and balancing the thoroughfare and conception vessels to alleviate pain. Endocrine treatments are also an option, but they are ideally avoided if possible. However, for significant pain during the pre-menopausal period, medication can be taken before the onset of menstruation. Vitamin treatments with vitamins B, C, and E, which help improve liver function, regulate hormone metabolism, and enhance autonomic nerve functions, can be used as adjunctive medications for this condition. Vitamin E also has pain-relieving properties. For individuals with a family history of breast cancer, localized lesions in part of the breast, noticeable lumps after menstruation or dense shadows or microcalcifications on a mammographic film, a biopsy or a Mammotome rotational excision procedure should be performed, and surgical treatment may be necessary if required.