If you are a teenage girl, you may experience breast tenderness. Your breasts feel sore because your body is going through changes and new hormones are coming out. Although this pain can be difficult to manage, there are several things you can do to reduce the pain. The ways in question are making small changes to your lifestyle and taking medication. In addition, it is important that you recognize breast pain caused by things other than puberty.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making Changes in Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Use a bra that can support your breasts
As you enter puberty, your breasts tend to get heavier. Not wearing a bra can be painful because your body isn't used to the added weight on your breasts. Wearing a bra that supports your breasts can ease the burden on your body and help keep the pain under control.
Try going to a store that sells bras and taking measurements so that you get a bra that is really comfortable and fits your body
Step 2. Do exercises to relieve pain
Form the muscles in the chest or commonly called the pectoral muscles so that you are able to support the weight of the growing breast. Here are the steps for doing pectoral exercises:
- Bend your elbows to form a 90-degree angle, then lift them up until they're parallel to your chest. Lower your elbows back to your sides, then lift your elbows back up.
- Do this exercise 20 times in the morning, and 20 times in the evening.
Step 3. Eat fruits and vegetables
Citrus fruits and vegetables contain lycopene and antioxidants. This substance can help reduce pain-causing free radicals produced by the body. Oranges can help boost your immune system as well as strengthen your overall health.
Examples of good fruit and vegetable choices are oranges, melons, tomatoes, spinach and papaya
Step 4. Reduce the amount of caffeine you consume
Caffeine contains methylxanthines which are known to cause pain. This substance stimulates the COX cycle enzymes which are mechanisms in the body that stimulate awareness of pain thereby increasing the pain you experience. Consuming too much caffeine also disrupts your sleep cycle which can worsen the pain. The following are examples of products that contain caffeine:
- Coffee and black tea
- Most soda products
- Energy drink
- Chocolate
Step 5. Reduce salt intake
Salt makes the body retain water. If the water is accommodated too much, your breasts can swell. In addition, this can also increase the pain you experience. Reduce salt intake, but make sure you stay hydrated.
Step 6. Use an oil that contains vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions as an antioxidant. Antioxidants can help protect body tissues, including breast tissue, from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E can also help reduce inflammation that causes aches and pains in the breasts.
- Rub an oil containing vitamin E on the sore breast. Oils that have high levels of vitamin E are olive oil, sunflower seed oil, argan oil, and wheat germ oil.
- Long-term use of vitamin E supplements to treat breast pain is not recommended because some studies have shown that it may be unsafe for the body.
- To reduce breast tenderness, Evening Primrose oil (available at most stores) can be used in the same way as oil containing vitamin E.
Part 2 of 3: Taking Medicine
Step 1. Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or better known as NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs)
NSAIDs work to reduce pain and inflammation. The commonly used NSAIDs are ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Follow the dosage instructions listed on the NSAID package, or the dose recommended by your doctor.
- Although aspirin is also an NSAID, teens are not recommended to take it unless a doctor says otherwise. This is due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Step 2. Try taking acetaminophen
Acetaminophen works to relieve pain but does not work to fight inflammation. However, acetaminophen can still help relieve the pain you are experiencing. The amount of acetaminophen you take depends on your age so follow all the dosage instructions carefully.
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing More Serious Conditions
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of breast tenderness caused by puberty and the menstrual cycle
If you are a teenager experiencing breast tenderness, you are most likely experiencing it because you are going through puberty. This means that your breasts are growing and your menstrual cycle is about to start. If you experience breast pain with this condition, you do not need to worry because it is normal. The following are common symptoms:
- Your breasts are tender, especially in the area near the nipple. This could be due to hormonal changes, because you're wearing a bra that's too tight, or because you sleep with your bra on.
- You feel your breasts getting heavier. When the number of fat cells and duct cells in the breast increases, the tissue of these cells also increases.
- Get a warm feeling in the breast. This happens because there are several reactions that are taking place at the cellular level when hormones act on glands and cells.
- See a doctor if your pain is sharp or constant, gets worse, or interferes with your daily activities.
Step 2. Perform a standard breast self-examination
Doctors usually don't do a thorough breast exam on a teenage patient. However, it's a good idea to get into the habit of doing a standard breast self-examination, especially if you experience pain in that area. This check can help you find the bigger problem although this is very rare.
Step 3. Get checked by a doctor if you find a lump in your breast
Sometimes, you may feel a lot of lumps in the breast. This is usually caused by the hormone estrogen during menstruation. During puberty, you may also find harmless lumps (such as breast buds) that are a normal part of the developing breast. However, if you find a lump that is hard and doesn't move, or if you're worried, see your doctor for an examination.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor if you notice blood or pus
If you notice pus or blood coming from your nipples when you have breast pain, you should see a doctor. Pus or blood indicates an infection, which can usually be treated with antibiotics.
Step 5. Watch for other signs of infection
If you find just one area of the breast that is tender and warm, it could indicate an infection. This doesn't have to be accompanied by pus or blood, but you may notice that your breasts are red, sore, or swollen.
Step 6. Take antibiotics if your breasts are sore due to an infection
Antibiotics are given to fight infections, including infections that occur in breast tissue. Various antibiotics can be used to treat infections of the breast. Talk to your doctor about the right antibiotic for you.
Step 7. Discuss with your doctor or parents if you may be pregnant
Swollen and tender breasts are an early sign of pregnancy. If you think that you may be pregnant, consult a doctor immediately.
Tips
- Compressing the sore breast with something warm can help reduce the pain.
- Make sure you get plenty of rest if you experience breast pain.
