Breast Lumps and Pain (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Breast Lumps and Pain Overview
- Breast Lumps and Pain Causes
- Breast Lumps and Pain Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Breast Lumps and Pain Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Breast Lumps In Women - How Was Diagnosis Established
Self-Care at Home
- Breast changes are common and often get better without any treatment. But
you may be able to lessen or control the pain associated with fibrocystic or
cyclic breast pain. First, consider nonmedical options for treatment:
- Talk with your doctor about using
birth control pills to control your
hormone levels. Some women find relief with
oral contraceptives.
- Limit your intake of caffeine in coffee and soft drinks, theophyllines in
tea, and theobromine in chocolate. Although the role of these methylxanthines is
controversial, some women report improvement in pain when they limit these.
- Daily vitamin E can reduce fibrocystic changes. Avoid doses higher than 600
mg per day.
- Wear a well-fitted bra or sports bra for support, especially if you have
large breasts. You may want to wear a comfortable bra to bed.
- Apply warm compresses to your breasts for pain relief.
- Over-the-counter pain medication may help.
- Make note, and avoid, any foods that may seem to cause the pain.
- Keep a diary of pain, documenting frequency and severity for at least a
two month period. This may be enough to convince you and your doctor that the pain
is cyclic and not severe enough to warrant medications that may have bothersome
side effects.
- Talk with your doctor about using
birth control pills to control your
hormone levels. Some women find relief with
oral contraceptives.
- Injury: If you suffer an injury to your breast, apply an ice pack for 20
minutes just as you would for any other bruise. Do not let the ice touch your
skin directly. You can use a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. You
may take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, for example).
- Mastitis: Breast infections require treatment by a doctor. After you see a doctor, try pain medication, frequent feedings of your infant and warm compresses.
Next: Medical Treatment »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Breast Lumps In Women - How Was Diagnosis Established
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
Please describe the diagnosis of the breast lumps in your breast(s).
| Printer-Friendly Format | | | Email to a Friend |
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Women's Health Resources
- Photos: Cold Sore or Canker Sore?
- How Healthy Is Your Skin? Start Here
- Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
Featured Centers
- Top 10 Asthma Cities
- Health Check: How to Choose The Right Vitamins
- 10 Triggers for the Holiday Blues
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Breast Abscesses and Masses »
Breast masses can be broadly classified as benign or malignant.
Explore 80+ Centers
- Allergy
- Allergy Medications
- Anaphylaxis
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Baby's Health
- Back, Neck, Head Injury
- Bioterrorism, Warfare
- Blood, Lymphatic System
- Bone, Joint, Muscle
- Brain, Nervous System
- Breathing Difficulties
- Burns
- Camping
- Cancer, Tumors
- Children's Health
- Cholesterol
- Cold and Flu
- CPR, Choking
- Cuts, Scrapes, Bruises
- Dementia
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Diabetic Coma, Insulin Shock
- Digestive System
- Dislocations
- Drowning
- Drug Overdose
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- Emotional Wellness
- Endocrine System
- Environmental Injuries
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Exercise, Nutrition
- Eye, Vision
- Fainting
- Fever
- First Aid, Emergency
- First Aid Kits
- Food Poisoning
- Foreign Bodies
- Fractures, Broken Bones
- Glaucoma
- Headache
- Health, Medical
- Heartburn, GERD, Reflux
- Heart, Blood Vessels
- Heart Attack
- Hepatitis
- Immune System
- Incontinence
- Infections
- Kidneys, Urinary System
- Lung, Airway
- Medications
- Men's Health
- Mental Health, Behavior
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nosebleeds
- Osteoporosis
- Outdoor Living
- Overexposure
- Poisoning
- Procedures
- Psoriasis
- Public Health
- Scuba Diving, Swimming
- Seizures
- Senior Health
- Shock
- Skin, Hair, Nails
- Sleep Disorders
- Social, Family Health
- Sports Injury
- Sprains, Strains
- Statins
- STDs
- Substance Abuse
- Teen Health
- Teeth, Mouth, Oral Health
- Weight Management
- Wilderness Emergencies
- Women's Health
- Wounds



