Pregnancy

Breast pain in pregnancy: when it starts and what to do to relieve it

Breast pain is often one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. In fact, from the beginning of pregnancy, the breast tissue undergoes various modifications, which have the purpose of preparing it for an extraordinary task: breastfeeding.

Breast pain , also called mastodynia , is a typical symptom of pregnancy. However, not all expectant mothers have it  and its characteristics can vary from woman to woman.

Breast pain in pregnancy: when does it start and how long does it last?

Breast pain is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy and can start as early as  implantation (when the fertilized egg cell nestles in the wall of the uterus). In most cases, it appears between the 4th and 6th week and can be associated with a feeling of tension , swelling and itching . In addition, it is quite common to experience nipple hypersensitivity , tingling and, more rarely, burning .

Fortunately, both pain and associated discomfort tend to lessen towards the end of the first trimester , before disappearing completely. Sometimes, however, they can recur in the last stage of gestation .

Why does breast pain appear in early pregnancy?

As with many other pregnancy symptoms, the causes of breast pain are mainly hormonal. In fact, during gestation, there is an increased production of estrogen , progesterone and prolactin , which act to increase the breast tissue and prepare it for the production of colostrum and mother’s milk .

The effect of this process, which takes the name of mammogenesis , is an enlargement and turgidity of the breast, which is the origin of tension and pain. Since mammogenesis begins a few days after conception , this explains why the symptom tends to occur very early during gestation.

Painless breasts in early pregnancy: should I be concerned?

While it’s a less common condition, being pregnant without breast pain (as well as without nausea or other typical symptoms ) is nothing to worry about . In fact, pregnancy is a unique and personal event that every woman experiences in an absolutely subjective way.

In any case, for any doubt, the advice is always to contact your gynecologist or trusted midwife .

Is the pain in the breast the same in subsequent pregnancies?

Again, it should be reiterated that the characteristics of breast pain in pregnancy vary from woman to woman. In general, however, it is possible to say that in pregnancies following the first, the painful sensation may be different or even not present at all .

What to do to relieve breast pain in pregnancy

Tension, pain, itching and hypersensitivity can be extremely annoying, especially in early pregnancy. Fortunately, however, these are transient symptoms, which can be managed with a few small adjustments .

  • Wear a comfortable and supportive bra , which contains the breasts without compressing them: the best solution is to use one made of cotton , which allows the skin to breathe and reduces the risk of irritation. It is also better to prefer models without underwire and without seams at the nipples, to avoid annoying rubbing. If tension and pain in the breasts interfere with sleep at night, the advice is to try wearing a bra at night as well .
  • Choose loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t constrict the breasts.
  • Apply sponge baths with warm or cold water: they will help find relief from the symptoms. Instead, it is better to avoid massages , because they could accentuate the production of prolactin and increase the pain.
  • Follow a healthy and balanced diet: drinking plenty of water and limiting the consumption of caffeine and excessively fatty or salty foods can help counteract fluid retention and relieve pain.
  • Apply moisturizing creams or oils: they will help soothe the itch.
  • Consult your doctor: if the symptoms are very intense, he can recommend the use of analgesics such as paracetamol to reduce the pain.

Breast pain in pregnancy: when to contact the doctor?

Mastodynia is absolutely physiological during pregnancy. Even the possible leakage of yellowish or transparent liquid from the breast should not be a cause for alarm: it is simply colostrum , the first milk that will feed the baby after birth.

On the contrary, the presence of blood loss or greenish liquid from the breast must be reported to the gynecologist, who will carry out the necessary tests.

Dr Kathryn Barlow

Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.

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