Breast Pain Specialist in Orange Park and Middleburg, FL

What is Mastalgia?

Many women experience tenderness or mild pain of the breast at various points in their lives. It is common to assume that this pain may be related to breast cancer, though this is rarely the case. The highly trained OBGYNs at Dr. Hyler & Associates have extensive experience diagnosing and treating the cause of breast pain. If you are experiencing abnormal breast pain and are in need of treatment, call (904) 264-1628 to request an appointment at our OBGYN office in Orange Park or Middleburg, FL.

Cyclic Mastalgia

In fact, most cases of mastalgia are cyclical, meaning that they are directly related to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Tender breasts are a common symptom for many during their period, and so you should not rush to worry unless the pain is focused in one area, or if it is inconsistent with your regular menstrual cycle.

It is typical for cyclic mastalgia to present itself within the first two or three days prior to your menstrual cycle in the form of dull, achy sensations. It is highly recommended that patients keep a journal of their symptoms and when they occur in order to help your OBGYN more accurately diagnose the source of their breast pain.

Noncyclic Mastalgia

It is also common for individuals to notice pain in their breasts after menopause. Instead of a general tenderness, this type of mastalgia often feels more like a sharp or burning sensation. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can often provide significant relief from this kind of pain, though you should see an OBGYN as soon as possible if such symptoms persist.

Common Treatment Options

Because mastalgia is often related to fluctuations in a woman’s hormone levels, many of the best solutions to this type of discomfort are based around hormone regulation. This can often be achieved using:

• Dietary modifications
• Contraceptives
• Supplemental hormones
• Prescription hormone blockers

Signs of a Serious Condition

In addition to recurring pain that does not appear to be related to a woman’s menstrual cycle or recent lack of a menstrual cycle, there are also several other indications that her breast pain may be signs of a serious illness, such as:

• Breast pain that worsens over time
• Focused pain that continually presents itself in one specific area
• Severe levels of pain that make regular, everyday tasks difficult or impossible to complete

If one or several of these symptoms occur, please seek diagnostic treatment immediately. The sooner your doctor is able to detect a condition, the more effective your treatment options will likely be.