Chest pain caused by the pill | Chest pain in the woman

Chest pain caused by the pill

The pill is a hormonal contraceptive. Depending on its chemical composition, it influences the different hormones in women. Oestrogen, one of the hormones, promotes, among other things, the build-up of fatty tissue in the breast, which makes it larger. Pills that influence the oestrogen level therefore also have an effect on the breast tissue. When the breast becomes larger, there is tension in the tissue and skin – the breast becomes sensitive to pressure and hurts.

Menopausal chest pain

During the menopause an imbalance of female hormones occurs. The progesterone level decreases in contrast to the oestrogen level. Progesterone normally inhibits water retention in the breast tissue, which is caused by oestrogen.

If this balance is no longer maintained, the mamma may swell. The breast becomes sensitive to pressure and hurts. The remodelling in the mammary glands can lead to cysts forming in the tissue. Cysts are small benign cavities, encapsulated centres of inflammation, which are not dangerous in themselves, but can cause pain in the breast.

Left side chest pain

If the pain occurs emphatically on the left side, there are several possibilities. In the case of problems with the heart, be it due to inflammatory or ischemic processes, a shift of pain from the middle of the chest to the left side is often reported. The stomach is also located in the left upper abdomen and could therefore project more into the left half of the thorax. Problems with the left lung or the left mamma can also cause unilateral pain. Also possible are tensions or muscle damage that occur after overexertion of the muscles.

Treatment

The treatment depends entirely on the cause of the pain. It does not help to treat only the pain itself by ignoring the origin and simply taking analgesics (painkillers). If there is recurring pain or pain that causes the patient concern, a doctor should always be consulted to identify the underlying disease.

Many women wonder which doctor should be consulted. If the pain is noticeably localised in the mamma, a gynaecologist is the best choice for a further examination. If the chest pain is of unclear origin but not severe, the personal family doctor should be consulted.

Your personal doctor has experience with symptoms of this kind and knows the most probable diseases that cause the chest pain. Going directly to a specialist can provide quick help, but can also lead in the wrong direction if the pain has been misinterpreted by the patient himself. A referral from the family doctor to a specialist is usually more effective in this case.

In the case of very severe chest pain, the woman should not wait for an appointment, but should visit the local emergency room immediately. There the staff is prepared for acute cases and relief can be obtained quickly.