Breast pain as a sign of pregnancy versus breast pain from PMS/period
Whether an occurring chest pain is a sign of pregnancy or occurs in the context of a premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or the period can be distinguished by whether the symptoms occur cycle-dependent or not. If the breast pain is associated with a certain cycle time – usually shortly before the start of the period or during the period – the breast pain is usually a hormone-dependent feeling of tension in the breast tissue, which can be more or less pronounced in each individual case. If the breast pain occurs independently of the menstrual cycle and the period does not occur at all, this can be a sign of pregnancy and should be clarified by a doctor as soon as possible. Due to the changes in hormone levels, the mammary gland tissue in pregnancy is prepared for the breastfeeding period afterwards and grows, so that breast tenderness and breast pain can occur throughout the entire pregnancy, which can even continue into the breastfeeding period.
Unilateral chest pain
Breast pain during pregnancy, which is caused by the hormonal changes, usually occurs on both sides. However, unilateral breast pain can also occur. In general, unilateral breast pain that persists over a longer period of time should be clarified by a doctor, as another cause for the complaints cannot be excluded.
In particular, if the breast is also noticeable due to overheating, reddening or other signs of inflammation, it could be an inflammation of the breast (mastitis) that needs to be treated. Furthermore, changes in the breast tissue could be present, for example benign lumps or malignant diseases of the breast tissue (breast cancer, breast cancer). In the case of exclusively unilateral breast pain, it is therefore always advisable to seek medical clarification so that appropriate therapy can be initiated depending on the findings.
