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Sore Breast Not Pregnant: Here Is why It Happens

By: Author Dr Akatakpo Dunn, MBBS, PG Dip Ultrasound, Prof Dip O&G (RCPI) Medical Director & Lead Obstetrician/Ultrasonologist, Verah Clinic & Maternity

Posted on Last updated:

Question: what causes sore breast not pregnant?

For women that are between 10 and 14 years, a new phase of physical and emotional development begin.

This involves onset of menstruation, armpit and pubic hair, and changes in your breast size. These changes are made possible by an interplay of hormones in your body.

While these changes are common in a lot of young girls, as you grow older, you will notice other issues; menstrual cramps and breast pain.

First of all, there is a misconception among women that pain in the breast is most likely due to cancer.

The truth is, if you are experiencing sore boobs, it is still very unlikely that you have cancer, especially if you do not have a new lump or skin or nipple changes. However, any breast symptom that is new, persistent, or worrying should be checked by your doctor – don’t ignore it. American Cancer Society+1

In most cases, it has to do with your hormones, and it is not unusual to experience “breast pain” at certain times in the month. Doctors call this mastalgia, and many women will experience it at some point in life. NCBI+1

Some women will experience cramps and breast pain a week after the end of the menstrual period while others will notice a sharp breast pain few days to your next period.

While this is true for most women, it is essential you also palpate your breast for any swelling or lump (I mean, gently examine for any lump). You can also ask your doctor or nurse to show you the correct way to examine your breasts.

If you noticed a lump, it could be the reason you have those pains.

Having said that, breast pain may be due to severe health concerns. In fact, it could be due to mastitis, breast abscess, direct trauma to your breast or underlying pectoral muscles, sternum injury, and rarely, it could be due to breast cancer. MSD Manuals+1

This article explains common causes of sore breast not pregnant, and available treatment options to help. It is for general education only and does not replace seeing your doctor.

You can also read more general information on breast pain here:

What causes sore breast when you are not pregnant?

Like already mentioned, if you experience breast pain, it is very likely not a serious health issue. In fact, research shows that about 50–70 percent of women will experience sharp or heavy breast pain; in most of these women, pain usually subsides on its own. NCBI+1

Here are possible causes.

1. You are pregnant

Except you’ve carried out a pregnancy test and it’s negative after your period is late, sore breast could still be due to pregnancy. So, if you’ve had intercourse and yet have a negative pregnancy result, it’s recommended that you repeat your test after you’ve missed your period.

To be sure you have an accurate result, take your test in the morning, wait until you’ve missed your period, follow instructions clearly written in your purchased test kit, and observe for other signs of pregnancy.

If you’ve carried your test right before your period (and it’s negative), your sore breast could still be an early sign of pregnancy. Re-check in a week’s time to be sure, or talk to your doctor about doing a blood test if you are unsure. Mayo Clinic

However, if you’re sure you’re not pregnant, there are other causes of breast pain.

2. Estrogen/progesterone effect

Progesterone and estrogen mainly control your menstrual cycle. These hormones also have a huge impact on your breast tissue and can cause you to feel pain.

Anatomically, the breast is divided into lobule, lobes, ducts, and surrounding fatty tissues. The lobes are divided into lobules which is the part of the breast responsible for milk production. After milk is produced tiny channels, called ducts, help carry milk to the nipple.

During your menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone cause your duct, lobes, and lobule to enlarge, making your breasts feel sore, heavy, burning or fuller than usual.

This type of hormonal breast change is typical in a lot of women, with a cyclical pattern. Usually, breast tenderness is felt midway through your menstrual cycle, and towards the end. The simple reason this happens is estrogen spike midway in your cycle and progesterone increase towards the end. North Atlanta Women’s Care+1

So, if your breast feels sore each month, there is no reason to panic. Take a chart of days you feel those pain and inform your doctor, especially if it starts to interfere with your daily life.

3. Sign your period is about to begin

If you are like most women, you already have different signs that tell you your next period is near. Usually, symptoms vary among women, but ordinarily, you may experience breast pain, lower belly cramps, headache, mood swings, food cravings, getting pimples, and fatigue.

If you have these symptoms and breast pain few days to your expected period, then it’s a sign. YOUR PERIOD WILL START SOON.

Cyclical breast pain linked to your period is common and usually not dangerous, but if the pattern suddenly changes or only one breast is affected, let your doctor know. Clue+1

4. Lifestyle changes

While breast pain happens mainly due to hormonal factors, it can also be triggered (or made worse) by some of your dietary habits.

Caffeine, contained in coffee and soda, may trigger or worsen breast soreness in some women. The exact way caffeine affects breast tenderness is still not clear, and studies are mixed, but some women notice improvement when they reduce coffee, tea, energy drinks or cola. Mayo Clinic News Network+2Mosaic Life Care+2

Also, taking foods rich in salt (sodium) can trigger or worsen your breast symptoms. This is because salt causes water retention, making your breast feel heavier than usual with tightness, especially around your period.

Other lifestyle factors that can sometimes make breast pain worse include smoking, high-fat diet, and poorly fitting bras.

Breast pain while not pregnant: When to worry?

While you shouldn’t panic if you experience breast tenderness each month, you should see your doctor if symptom gets severe. You should also seek medical help if:

  • Pain lasts more than 2–3 weeks and is not improving

  • The pain is mainly in one area of one breast

  • You feel a new lump, notice nipple discharge, or see changes in the skin of your breast (dimpling, redness, thickening, “orange peel” skin). Cleveland Clinic+2Breast Cancer Now+2

Here are other important causes of breast pain.

1. Mastitis

Mastitis, which means an infection of the breast, could be the reason you have breast pain. This type of breast infection mostly affects pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers (puerperal mastitis), though it could also happen to young girls or women who are not breastfeeding (periductal or non-lactational mastitis). Cleveland Clinic+2ACOG+2

For breastfeeding mothers, poor feeding technique and not regularly feeding your baby can cause a breast infection. Other causes are penetrating breast injury, nipple piercing, and smoking.

Symptoms include fever, breast pain, redness (inflammation), chills and nipple discharge. Sometimes the affected area feels hot and very tender to touch. If you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately – you may need antibiotics and advice on how to keep breastfeeding safely. Cleveland Clinic+1

Untreated mastitis can sometimes lead to a breast abscess.

2. Breast lump/cyst

Rarely, a breast lump or cyst can cause women to experience breast soreness especially around the outer-upper end of your breast. Sometimes, pain may radiate to your armpit. MSD Manuals+1

Breast lump (fibroadenoma) is mainly found in young women under 30 years, and in the majority of women, it is painless. Lump size may vary during your menstrual cycle, and it may even disappear on its own.

Nevertheless, if you have lumps that continue to increase in size, or any new lump that persists beyond one menstrual cycle, inform your doctor for breast examination and imaging.

3. Pus in the breast (Abscess)

Another reason you could have painful, swollen breast is an abscess. An abscess means the collection of pus inside your breast tissue and could result from a complicated breast infection.

Breast abscess usually causes a very painful, warm, swollen area that may feel like a fluid-filled lump, and you may have fever and feel very unwell. This needs urgent medical care for antibiotics and sometimes drainage. PMC+1

4. Breast cancer

According to breastcancer.org and other major cancer organizations, about 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. National Breast Cancer Foundation+1 Because of this, it is common to see women panic for any change to their breast tissue.

First of all, breast cancer usually does not cause pain in the early stages, and breast pain on its own is rarely a sign of cancer. However, pain can sometimes occur with breast cancer, especially with inflammatory breast cancer or if a tumour is pressing on nearby structures, so it should not be completely ignored. Cancer Research UK+3American Cancer Society+3Hopkins Medicine+3

Having said that, if you are palpating a lump inside your breast that doesn’t go away for months, it could be due to cancer. Other breast cancer signs are:

  • Changes to the overlying skin covering the breast (dimpling, thickening, redness)

  • Axillary lymph nodes (that is, small swelling at your armpit)

  • Weight loss without trying

  • Nipple discharge that is bloody, reddish, brownish or clear

  • Withdrawal of your nipple into your breast (nipple inversion or change in shape)

If you have these symptoms, it’s possible you already have breast carcinoma. See your doctor right away for a proper breast exam and appropriate tests such as mammogram or ultrasound.

You can read more detailed lists of breast cancer symptoms here: Cancer Research UK – Symptoms of breast cancer. Cancer Research UK

Home remedies for breast pain

  • Use supportive bra

  • Avoid tight bra, especially while breastfeeding

  • Avoid food rich in salt/sodium

  • Take Tylenol (paracetamol) tablets if you are not allergic and your doctor says it is safe

  • Take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – Ibuprofen, Naproxen – only as directed and avoid long-term use without medical advice

  • Inform your doctor; some women may benefit from the use of oral contraceptives or other prescribed medicines if pain is severe or persistent Cleveland Clinic+1

Simple things like warm or cold compresses, relaxation techniques, and making sure your bra size is correct can also help some women.

Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or combining pain medicines, especially if you are pregnant, have kidney or liver problems, stomach ulcers, or are on other medications.

Sore breast, not pregnant, no period – Why?

If you are experiencing a sore breast, missed period and negative pregnancy test, it could be due to many factors.

One important reason can be long-term stress, which may affect the hormones controlling your cycle. Other causes are menopause, polycystic ovaries (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, side effects of contraceptive pills, emergency contraception use, thyroid problems, and also, it could still be pregnancy if tests are done too early. Mayo Clinic+1

If you have missed your period for more than three months in a row (and you are not pregnant, breastfeeding or close to menopause), you should see your doctor to check your hormones and overall health.

See here for more information on breast pain and when to get help:

Alina smith

Tuesday 12th of June 2018

Nice article its very helpfull thanks for sharing