Introduction
Breast pain during pregnancy is common because the hormone balance changes during pregnancy, the glandular tissue in the breast increases and milk production starts towards the end of pregnancy. Breast pain is often an early sign of pregnancy. The symptoms are usually most pronounced in the first months of pregnancy. The pain can be very uncomfortable for affected women, but is usually harmless and caused by the circumstances of the pregnancy.
Causes
Breast pain during pregnancy is usually caused by hormonal changes. During pregnancy the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone increase in the blood. The hormone prolactin is also increased during pregnancy.
This promotes the build-up of the mammary gland tissue and ensures that milk is produced. The breasts consequently become larger due to the hormonal influences and the tissue swells rapidly. This strong tissue growth in a relatively short time leads to the typical tightening and pulling in the breast.
In addition, the blood circulation in the breast is increased. Theoretically, chest pain can also be an expression of a disease of the breast tissue, but this is very rarely the case, especially during pregnancy. Particularly unilateral pain should therefore be clarified by a doctor as a precaution, as a malignant disease or inflammation of the mammary gland could also be a potential cause.
Symptoms
Women with breast pain in pregnancy usually take it as unpleasant pulling in the breast or stinging at different areas within the breasts. If the pain is hormone-related, it usually occurs in both breasts. In addition, the painful breasts and nipples are very sensitive to touch and pressure.
In general, changes to the nipples also occur during pregnancy. Often the breasts are firm and tense. In very pronounced cases, even slight touches of the breast, for example through a T-shirt, are already very uncomfortable for the woman.
In addition to the pain, a throbbing or tingling sensation in the breast area can also be felt. In addition, during pregnancy a growth of the breasts and a darker discoloration of the nipple (nipple) can be noticed. From about the second third of the pregnancy onwards, milky fluid may leak from the nipples.
This is the so-called foremilk, which indicates that milk production has begun in the mammary glands, which will soon be a prerequisite for breastfeeding the child. If, however, other symptoms appear in addition to the pain, such as a distinct reddening, overheating and swelling of the breast, this could be inflammation of the mammary glands (mastitis). In this case a doctor should be consulted. The same applies if a feeling of illness, fever, vomiting or diarrhoea occurs in addition to the chest pain.
