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/
Hello, I am usually irregular but the past 6 months I’ve been on a steady (28-35) cycle. The past month in a half I was late due to stress; last month I got it. February 20-27th
Had intercourse every other day for a week (withdrawal method) I woke up with extremely sore breasts. I assumed it’s ovulation but Ive never got it just a week after my last cycle. Usually a week in a half before my period.
I also had the worst cramps yesterday. (tmi sorry) could it just be my cycle getting back on track or could I possibly be pregnant?
Hello Carine, you could be pregnant or this could be PMS. If you are late for 7 days then take a pregnancy test after.
I got married on dec 25 th 2016.I am trying to concieve my first baby for the last 3 months, my last period was on feb 5 th and it lasted for about 5 days. From feb 17 th i am having breast soreness & i feel it full, its really painfull too. Now i am doing my engineering studies so these prickling pain is making be so disturbed i cant even concentrate on my classes. I am also having cramps and backpain too, i am pregnant?, today is my 24 th day of my cycle!
Hi Sandra, Based on the timing the soreness of your breasts could have been due to ovulation because you would have been ovulating during that time frame. I would wait to make a determination with a pregnancy test until you are about a week past your period if you miss it.
Hi,pls I need help, I’ve been trying to conceive. The second day after my ovulation my breast became itchy, sore and are getting fuller day by day and just yesterday I started spotting just few drops of blood and is pinkish and brown is not flowing like my normal period .pls is there any idea of what I could be.
Hi Treasure, since we don’t know when you had your period or when you are expecting it we can only guess. It could be implantation bleeding, or if you are still in your fertile period it could be ovulation spotting. If you were due for your period, take a test after about 7 days.
Hello! I am currently trying to conceive since last year. Recently I was persribed clomid and I’m on my 2nd round of 100mg cycle days 3 – 7. Did not get lucky last month but last period was December 27th until December 31st. I should get my next period here any moment according to my tracking. Though I got a big fat positive opk on February 6th cycle day 16. I’m 10 days past ovulation and my breasts are still sore. Usually they’re only sore during my ovulation the day of and after & before my period.
I took a digital pregnancy test and I received a question mark on the screen what is going on? Never had these things happen to me any month before that we’ve been trying. I also took apart the digital test to look at the actual test strip for the lines and I see a bright pink one and a faint pink one but not very strong. You have any idea what could be going on with me? Any advice helps. Thank you !
Hello Jada, two lines (regardless of how faint) on a pregnancy test indicates that you are pregnant. See your doctor for more thorough assessment (blood test) to confirm pregnancy.
Hey there. I had sex intermittently between the beginning of my current cycle until now (its been about 21 days) and my breasts are sore. I don’t usually feel them until several days before my period, and I’m currently about two weeks away from my next period. My tracker that I’ve used for 4 years indicated that I’m ovulating. Should I be worried about pregnancy?
Hi Sweetfish, I’m wondering how long your normal cycles are, because if you are a regular 28 day cycle you would only have 7 days left according to your 21 days through your cycle already as you stated. If you feel that you could be the only way to know is to take a test if you miss your period.
My cycle varies from month to month, but they usually range between 28-35 days, but lately it’s been upwards of 30-35 days.
I had unprotected sex 5 days after my last period and my breast nipple hurts a lot and I am really scared if I have taken in.
Been having milky substance squirting out of both of my breasts, tenderness and fatigue, had menstruated January 11, 2018 my husband thinks I’m pregnant what is causing this?
Hi Newlyweds
if you just got over your period, even only a few weeks ago, this is most likely not linked to pregnancy. It could also be normal if you have something that is irritating your nipples. If you are squeezing them to cause the discharge, leave them alone a bit as squeezing them can make it worse, however if it is spontaneous, an appointment with a medical professional will be your best bet to ensure that it’s not something more serious.
Hi, on monthly basis I would have tender breast before period. This is first sign Aunt flo will come. However this month is a bit different, the sore/ tender breast is not present. We are trying for a 2nd time, could this be a sign of pregnancy. My first pregnancy tip off is about the same situation. Thank you.
Hi CT,
Every pregnancy is different, but if this is how you noticed your last pregnancy, then maybe you are. I would recommend a pregnancy test after your anticipated start date if you do not get it.
Hello, had sex on cycle 7 which was on 5th and I’m 26 cycle, ovulated 10th-11th and having fuller and not painful breasts, I know it’s too early to test but just wondering if breast fullness after 6-7 days after ovulation is normal or may indicate pregnancy.
Thanks
Hello Racheal, this could be both signs and symptoms of PMS or pregnancy.
I had my period Dec 20 2017, and ovulated on 1st of Jan 2018, since 31st up till 12th of January am having a swollen breast and tender nipples. What does this mean?
Hi Ilori, this could be as a result of PMS.
Mistake in d questions I meant 1st of January to 15th of January 2018
Hey I had sex continuously from the 7th day of period till 15 days and my period is on 6th january bt till today 11th january i am not getting my period but some time i am like I’m pregnant but at the same time i realize the symptoms of period like stomach pain, pain in breasts what is really happening? Plz tell me
Hi Biju, if you are concerned, take a pregnancy test. Period symptoms and pregnancy symptoms do tend to overlap a bit.
I have breast pain from last 2 days before 15 days of my periods and i’m trying to conceive. Right now i’m so much confuse why it may occure.
Please help me to find out the reason.
Hello Reet, please read the below link with information on this: https://womanjunction.com/tender-breasts-and-pain-should-you-be-worried/
I had sex unprotected sex after 3 days of finished period and took ipill the next evening can I be still pregnant plus I have some pain in my breasts what could be the reason for this please tell asap
Hello Malvika, this should be your safe period even though a small likelihood still exists. The pain in your breast could be as a result of many things including hormonal changes.
I menstruated on the 7th of November, had unprotected sex throughout my fertile window, am having blood come out since last night 28th that’s 22 day of my circle, I have been having tender breast for the past 5 days. Menstruation is due on 4th of December.
I really don’t know what’s happening if it’s period or implantation bleeding, it’s confusing as I have never had earlier period. Period cycle had been constant 27 days cycle
Hello Precious, the best thing to do in your case is to see if your period will come. If it does not come even after 7 days then take a pregnancy test.
I had unprotected sex on 14 of October and took MAP 17 hours later. I had my period on the 21 October which was weak for the first 2 days and then became heavier for 3 days. 6 days after my period I started to have breast tenderness something that is new to me. Does that mean I’m pregnant?
Hello Welly, if the next menstrual period is late then take a pregnancy test 7 days after to determine if you might be pregnant.
I started having irregular periods and then spotting for days then starting my period again The end of June I had a regular cycle and I didn’t spot after dayss went by and I had unprotected sex on the 6th of July and on the 22nd day my breast started to feeling sore and hurt and I had hot flashes and wake up in sweat and had lower back pain just days after having sex and I spotted blood when I wiped one day and then it was gone is it possible I could be pregnant?
Hi there Kele, please take a pregnancy one week after a missed period.