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/
My period was on 10th-13th of Feb,had unprotected sex on 14th and 15th..Haven’t seen my period for March but its suppose to come on 9th..Have been having constant Headaches and body pains for 2 weeks now. Is there any chance of being pregnant?
Hi Kiki, Constant headache and body pain may be for n number of reasons. Have you experiencing any other symptoms ? If not, wait till 9th March, in fact wait till 12th or 13th March and if you have not gotten your period till then, buy a pregnancy kit and take a test.
Hi ladies I have been trying to conceive from June 2013. I found out my tubes where blocked had a hsg one out the tubes was cleared I got pregnant found out and lost my pregnancy in one weekend. Now I am on 150mg of Clomid. My fingers are crossed my breast started hurting yesterday and I ovulated last night and been heading sex with my husband every other day now
Hi,I inoculated between the 9th and the 13th of February and had unprotected sex every other day during ovulation.I have never experienced breast pain leading up to my menstrual period but the past couple days my breasts have been a bit sore all over.I am also trying to get pregnant.any advice?
Honey girl, if you drink tea or coffee don’t use sugar put a spoon of honey in it, it works..
Hi there Autumn. There is always a chance of pregnancy when having unprotected sex. You should take a pregnancy test if you think you may be pregnant. Best of luck.
Hi so I’m just wondering, I started my period 0n the 3rd of february, I had unprotective sex on the 16th, the next day my breasts began feeling sore, and they still feel sore and slightly heavy, what are the chances that I’m pregnant? I’m not due for my period for another week and a half
I cannot be sure the exact chance, just track your cycle and see if it shows up on time. Having unprotected sex can risk the chance of pregnancy.
Had my period on 1 feb and ended 7 feb. Has sex on 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18th feb. Will l concieve? My average day is 27.5.
Hi Jackie, You were definitely very fertile on the days that you had sex, especially the 13-16. The probability is high, but only time will tell. Good Luck!
can you help me out a little I am stuck here , I am on my ovulation but not much cm and it comes and goes my cervix is high but now soft , my breasts been hurting since last week around d the sides more, I just don’t know if I have conceived. my temperature is normal for ovulation at 36.5 which is about 97-98 F but I still feel warmer than normally do. been ready tired for about 3 weeks and could just drop off anywhere you name lol , but now I am bit more energetic but still tired a little , just not really understanding what’s going on. I had the thick cm then it went to watery then drys up and does it again every other day xx looked but can’t really find a answer xxx
I had my last menstruation January 13,2016 until now I havent my period yet what is the possibility that I am pregnant? Thank you.
It would depend on your recent sexual activity. Other than that, there are many different reasons why a period would delay/skip. Check our FAQ for more information.
Thanks for the response this is Princes again,I’m totally confused regarding this,on which date should I be expecting my menses then please ? until now I have not been able to see my menses.
I got my menses last from Jan 16th until 18th,from 19th I have been having unprotected sex with my husband almost daily,since 28th i noticed that my breast is tender and the nipples are very painful,we bought the pregnancy test kit and did the test at home with the early morning urine,though the result is negative, I have never experienced the same changes in my breast like now before,can I be pregnant or not,just in case then why should the result be negative,someone please guide us.
Thanks.
I completely understand how confusing this must be for you. I suggest taking another pregnancy test. There could be many reasons of tender breasts, pregnancy or period symptoms could be results of this. Take another pregnancy test, and if you are still worried I would suggest calling a professional. It should ease your worry đŸ™‚
I started having tender breast although not sore five days after my menstruation. My circle is 28 days, my menses lasted for 3 days, meaning my fertility days will be 29th to 1st. What could be the problem, please?
One of my nipples sore I’m been having slight cramps in the low part of my stomach like I’m going to come on my cycle but haven’t. It started like a week after my cycle in Jan. & it’s still going on; my next cycle isn’t due until the 5th of Feb. Could I be pregnant? Plus I’m tired than normal.
You may be experiencing PMS. Wait to see if your February period will arrive and take a pregnancy test 7 days after that date if it doesn’t come.
I started menstruation on 15th December 2015 & finished on 19th December. I then had unprotected sex with my husband from 19th December 2015 to 2nd January 2016. I have just discovered I’m pregnant. When exactly did I conceive? It’s now confusion between me & my husband.
It’s possible that you conceived on December 29th.
I ovulated December 26-31 and it’s been 6 days past ovulation and my breast have been sore mostly on sides and idk if I’m seeing things but see veins on my right breast also I never ever get sore breast two weeks before my period which is unusual also been having more headaches than normal. Can someone please tell me what this can be I’m also TTC and had sex December 22,25,30
I Usually get sore breasts 14 days or 5 days before my period starts. I use it as an indication of PMS.
We had sex dec 4-11 but I got spot started dec 14 the suddenly my period came dec 19 it was lasted dec 24. My question why I experienced breast sore, headache, lil cramp and nausea during my period then 1 week after my period I got heavy breast sore/tenderness. What does it mean?
My period was dec 10-14. Had sex with my hubby when i was ovulating. My lower back hurts and i have a crampy feeling in my stomach and very sore breasts all over. They also feel heavy. Could i be pregnant?
Hi, yes its possible you are pregnant take a pregnancy test to be sure.
Hi, I had my last period on the 15/11/15, my cycle is 30 days, I had sex a day or 2 before ovulation, now I’m 2 days late on my period, my nipples are really sore and have been for about a week now, I’ve had a few headaches and back ache but no pains like my period is coming. Scared to do a test incase it comes back negative as we have been trying for a good few months now. Do you think I could be pregnant or is it just wishful thinking?
Your best bet. Let it go. I tried for 7 years and then I had a number of life changing events occur. I finally was “over it”. I have 3 children already and I just wanted our life back. Thats when I became pregnant. I had not been having intercourse and so the 1 time I did, it was enough. The out come wasnt the best. It was an unwanted pregnancy at that time, which made me feel horrible especially when it ended in a miscarriage. But now that things are better and I have reconsidered having a baby…. its not working out. All of these symptoms that are associated with pregnancy are symptoms I have had and have yet to become impregnated again. Focus on other things.