Many women experience tender breasts at some point in their life. It can be caused by many reasons, the majority being of a hormonal nature. When this happens, the breasts can feel sore when you touch them or when you move around, and they feel heavier and/or fuller.
Breast tenderness is one of the signs of pregnancy but can also be an indication that you are ovulating. Further complicating the matter, tender breasts can likewise be a symptom of PMS.
Since pregnancy, ovulation and PMS all trigger the release of hormones into the body, all three conditions can affect your breasts. To find out which of these conditions is causing your breast tenderness, you must take into account other symptoms, the type of soreness you are experiencing and your menstrual cycle.
Type and Location of Soreness
Ovulation often causes pain or soreness on the sides of your breasts [1]. If pregnancy is the reason for the tenderness, your breasts will have a strong sensation of fullness or heaviness. This pain would also be felt throughout the entire breast and not just on the sides. In some women, tenderness or soreness in the breasts can be the first symptoms they experience of pregnancy and the breast are sensitive and tender to touch.
However, this is not a reliable way to tell that you’re pregnant, as breast tenderness can be caused by other reasons. If you suspect that you’re pregnant and are feeling breast tenderness, be sure to see a doctor.
Breast Tenderness from PMS
Many women experience breast pain or tenderness from PMS, which typically happens in the days leading up to the start of their period. A good indicator that PMS is the issue causing your breast tenderness is the timing of your period.
This is why it’s always good to keep track of your menstrual cycle. There are actually smartphone applications available that can help you easily keep track of your menstruation and even ovulation. You’ll be able to make a note of any pain you are experiencing, moodiness or any other issues. Knowing all these things can be helpful in determining the reason behind your breast tenderness.
Breast Tenderness and Pregnancy
Aside from tenderness, other changes in the breasts can help you determine whether you’re pregnant, ovulating, or experiencing PMS. For pregnant women, their areola and the surrounding nipple tissue may show a change in color or tone [2]. Again, a color change in this area is typically only found in women who are pregnant.
The size of the areola can also be an indication that you’re carrying a child since pregnancy can sometimes cause the veins in the chest to become larger and more pronounced. All these changes are a sign of pregnancy, not ovulation or PMS.
Pregnancy is a common cause of breast tenderness, but just because you have breast tenderness, doesn’t mean you can automatically assume you are pregnant. There are many more indicators, including some typical early indicators that can give you an idea you’re pregnant.
These signs can include increased frequency of urination, abdominal cramps, back pain, moodiness, aversion to certain types of foods, increased sensitivity to odors and high basal temperature. When pregnancy occurs, the body is flooded with hormones, which can cause all the above symptoms as well as tender breasts.
If a woman is trying to get pregnant, she will want to know when she is ovulating. You can monitor your body temperature and cervix to get a clearer indication of when ovulation occurs for you.
Other indicators can include changes in the texture or color of cervical mucous, abdominal pain and an increased sex drive. Many women start ovulating at about the halfway point through their menstrual cycle. This point typically occurs from a few days to a week or more after the last day of her period. The ovulation cycle can be quite varied from woman to woman, so checking other indicators is important for accuracy in detecting ovulation.
There are also ovulation prediction tests now available that can help you to predict your ovulation. These tests are quite inexpensive and will test you for a particular type of hormone that surges during a day or so before ovulation starts. Using a test like this can vastly improve the accuracy of your ovulation predictions.
Other Causes of Breast Tenderness
Though pregnancy, ovulation and PMS are the most common causes of breast tenderness, they are not the only causes. In fact, in teenage boys and girls, the start of puberty can cause breast tenderness. Breastfeeding can also cause this type of breast pain and discomfort. Women who are nearing menopause can also experience breast tenderness or pain.
Medication use can also contribute to breast pain and tenderness. Those who take antidepressants, for example, can experience these symptoms as a side effect of their medication.
Those who take oral birth control pills or undergo infertility treatments may also experience breast tenderness, as well as older women who are past the menopause stage and are going through estrogen and progesterone hormone therapies.
Fatty acid imbalance in breast cells is another culprit. It makes the breast tissue more sensitive to hormones, which can result to the feeling of pain tenderness. Women who have undergone breast surgery in the past are also prone to breast tenderness, even when their incisions are already healed.
Smoking is known to increase epinephrine levels in the breast tissue. This can make a woman’s breasts hurt.
Sometimes breast pain isn’t because of your breasts, but because of irritation of the chest, arms, or back muscles. This is common if you’ve engaged in activities such as raking, rowing, shoveling, and waterskiing.
Tietze’s syndrome is another condition which can be mistaken for breast pain and is a rare, inflammatory disorder characterized by chest pain and swelling of the cartilage of one or more of the upper ribs (costochondral junction), specifically where the ribs attach to the breastbone (sternum). [3]
Breast cysts can likewise contribute to tenderness as well as pain. Some cysts are palpable and can be easily felt when you perform a breast examination. They can be hard or soft, and they may move about when you push them gently with your fingers. Breast cysts are usually not cancerous, but because of the pain and discomfort they cause, you might want to have them surgically removed.
Another possible cause of breast tenderness is fibroadenoma. This is a tumor of the milk glands and can be noticed when performing a breast exam. It’s usually firm and can be moved around, although it doesn’t usually cause pain.
Many women who experience breast tenderness and pain immediately fear that they have breast cancer. But, according to experts, these symptoms don’t automatically indicate that cancer cells are present. In most cases, the tenderness is caused by other symptoms, like those listed above. Still, if you have any concerns about your health, it’s important to see your doctor ASAP.
Final Note
No matter the reason you think you are experiencing breast tenderness, be sure to talk to your doctor if you notice anything unusual or new occurring with your body. This way, you can determine what’s causing the symptoms you experience and get the appropriate treatment right away or at least be assured that what you’re experiencing is normal.
References
- https://www.newkidscenter.com/Sore-Breasts-After-Ovulation.html
- 6 signs that you may be pregnant > https://www.livingandloving.co.za/pregancy-blogs/6-signs-that-you-may-be-pregnant
- https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/tietze-syndrome/
I had a period lasting two days on the 18th of January. Last month my period was only some spotting n 1 light day period. I ovulated four days ago but my breasts are hurting n I have headaches since.
Could I be pregnant?
Hi there! The spotting you had might be the implantation bleeding and you might be pregnant right now. You should take a pregnancy test. Best Regards
My last Period was Dec.29 and lasted 4 days and ovulation day was 11,12,13,14,15 my ovulation day was the 14 and had sex on that day and now it’s February and still nothing and breast are sore and nipples enlarge
Hi there Mary! Please refer to this article for information. Best Regards
Jan 1/4 my period and ovulation on 29 had sex 27/28/29 got sore boobs really tired
I had my period on the 19th of January, and it last for about 5 days. I had unprotected sex 2 days after, and then 5 days after my period ended, I have and still have breast pain. I’m just curious to know why. Please let me know thanks!
Hello, this could mean many things, might even be hormonal, if you have great cause for concern see your general practitioner.
I am on birth control & I had my period last week, my boobs have been very sore on the sides & feel fuller. Any suggestions?
Hello Kace, we are not sure what exactly your question is.
Hi, my periods are irregular, I have more than 6 months without seeing my periods, and my breast sore and my nipples are changing colour to darker colour. When my breast started getting sore I started vomiting, what could be the problem?
Hello Mp, do confirm that you might be pregnant take a pregnancy test.
I went to the doctor and she did pregnancy test and they came negative. then she advise me that I must go do B HCG Qualitative (Pos/Neg) test, after a month
My boobs has been sore then I took a blood test on 27th Jan, it turns out faint but badly for me on 28th my menses showed up.I have been trying to conceive I really thought it was my month..but even untill now my nipple still hurts..why please
Hi there! Home pregnancy tests detect the amount of hCG (pregnancy hormone) in your urine. A faint line shows that you are having small amount of hCG in your urine and you might be in the early stages of pregnancy. Probably, you should test again after a few days. Best Regards
Hy, I see my period on the 1st of January, my period last for six days and I had sex on the 4th day, so I should be expecting my period now, but I have tender breast, is it because of pms or what
Hi there Nicki! It might be PMS.
My period isn’t due for another 2 days, I’ve experienced heavy breasts along with tenderness. Painful to touch at times. I’ve experienced white discharge also. Does this indicate pregnancy? I haven’t experienced my breasts being like this since I had my little girl 3 years ago. I’m currently trying for a baby also. Thank you.
Hello there Naomi, yes this could indicate pregnancy, do a pregnancy test to confirm this.
Hi, I had my period on the 15th which was early this month..lasted 4 days..and had sex 2 days after now my boobs are sore and tender again when I just finished my period..?
Hello Leslie, this can be quite strange especially since you have never before experienced such symptoms. If this continues to happen or if you have any great concern do not hesitate to visit your Health Care Provider.
Hi my last period started 27th Dec for 4 days now I have sore boobs and sore nipples, also areols a lot lager and on boobs and chest my veins are alot more visible and keep getting headaches, many thanks
Hello Hannah, if you are concerned that you might be pregnant I would advise that you take a pregnancy test. All the best!
Hi Sue, I had my period on the 31st Dec. 2016 which lasted for four days and I have been trying for pregnancy. Then on the 9th, 10th, till now I have been having mild cramps and tender breasts. This morning, my nipples became very sore. Out of curiosity, I went for blood pregnancy test yesterday which came out negative. Could it be PMS or pregnancy symptoms even though I tested too early?
Hi Blessing, happy to advise. These symptoms could be related to PMS based on what you have listed. These however could also be as a result of pregnancy, you mentioned that you took a blood pregnancy test which returned negative. Pregnancy tests through the drawing of blood are very sensitive and can detect the earliest possibility of a pregnancy. If your period does not come within a few days do not hesitate to repeat a pregnancy test, whether by blood or urine. I wish you all the very best.
I had my my period on the 31st of dec.. I had a 26 day cycle.. however I started having breast tenderness from the 13 until now I am trying to concieve but I think it’s a failure for this month again… Jena
Hi there Jena! Please refer to this article for information. Best Regards
I saw my period on 3 of Dec and use clomaid bcos of some issues i have in getting pregnant . The doctor said we met on day 11,13,15,17,19 till i finish my ovulation period but now i felt breast tenderness and heat in my body.please what could that be?
Hi there! The breast tenderness you are experiencing might be because of PMS (Premenstrual Symptoms). Fluctuating hormone levels account for most episodes of premenstrual breast swelling and tenderness. Regards
I saw my period on 31st nov to 2nd dec i had sex from 3rd dec to almost everyday i started feeling my breast gettin full on 7th dec,and 2days now am vomitting early morning and my breast is fulled,heavy,sensitive and pain.what will that be bcos i dont see my ovulation just white creamy discharge
Hi there Mily! You might be pregnant right now. Take a pregnancy test. Regards
I saw my period on november 13-16 and had sex with my husband on 25,26,27 and 28, 29 Was my ovulation day and before that 25 my breast has been paining me. please what could that be.
Hi there Juliet! You might be pregnant now. You should take a pregnancy test. Regards
Hi Sue!
I had my regular period 2 weeks ago and yesterday morning I woke up to my breast hurting, when I took a look at them they looked bigger than normal and my areola was darker and wider than usual. My breast soreness is not on my sides they are in the middle .could I be pregnant or is something I have to get check for??
Hi there Jovy! Breast soreness or dark areola don’t itself indicate or confirm pregnancy. There are some other factors too. Please consider them also. If you are really getting the pregnancy symptoms then you should take a pregnancy test. Regards
Thanks Sue, what other factors i should be considering??
Please refer to this article for information.. Regards
Thank you so much for your help Sue!!!!