Breast engorgement but not much milk, what's the problem?

Written by Lin Yang

Breast Surgery

Updated on March 11, 2025

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Breast pain with scanty milk supply may be due to milk stagnation in the ducts. It is recommended to visit a formal hospital's breast department for an ultrasound or routine blood test to determine if inflammation is present. If the blood count exceeds 10,000, it indicates that the milk was not fully drained during breastfeeding, causing it to accumulate in the lobules of the breast tissue, leading to bacterial mastitis. In this case, it is advised to stop breastfeeding and treat the inflammation symptomatically. Local warm moist compresses, as well as peri-inflammatory injections of isotonic saline, can be used to help reduce the inflammation. Antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins or erythromycin may be chosen.

Other Voices

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Written by Wu Shi Ting

Breast Health Department

37sec

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What is the cause of breast pain before menstruation?

Many female friends experience breast pain during the premenstrual period, what exactly is this? Mild breast pain may be due to hormonal changes in the body, which is a normal physiological condition. Of course, it could also be caused by diseases, such as the most common fibrocystic breast changes, which cause cyclical breast pain along with the menstrual cycle. Of course, other diseases can also cause cyclical breast pain, which needs our attention. Especially severe pain, or pain upon slight touch, we recommend going to the hospital for relevant examinations as soon as possible.

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Written by Lin Yang

Breast Surgery

1min 5sec

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What is the cause of breast swelling, pain, and prominent nipples?

Breast swelling and pain, along with prominent nipples, are generally considered to be related to fibrocystic breast changes. Currently, fibrocystic breast changes are mostly believed to be related to elevated levels of estrogen caused by hormonal imbalances. The external environment in which people live, work and living conditions, interpersonal relationships, and other various stresses causing psychological factors, can all alter the internal environment of the human body. This, in turn, affects the function of the endocrine system, leading to abnormal secretion of one or several hormones, and changes in the hormone levels within the breast receptors during the menstrual cycle. When the balance of hormone levels in the body is disrupted, with an increase in estrogen levels and a decrease in progesterone secretion, it can lead to incomplete regression after breast proliferation, causing the growth of breast tissue. Additionally, the differential quality and quantity of female hormone receptors in the breast tissue components may lead to uneven growth of various parts of the breast.

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Written by Wu Shi Ting

Breast Health Department

1min 4sec

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Breast swelling, pain, and lumps, what is going on?

There are several types of conditions where lumps can be found in the breast. Breast tissue itself is essentially a hard substance that can normally be grasped or pinched by hand. Therefore, sometimes the lumps you feel in the breast are just normal areas of breast tissue protrusion, which generally disappear after menstruation or after subsiding. You do not need to worry too much about breast lumps that appear during this special period. Another more common type of breast lump is fibroadenoma of the breast, which typically occurs in women of childbearing age between 20 and 39 years old. Another condition is cystic hyperplasia of the breast. This is more common in middle-aged women, often with several hard nodules of varying sizes on both breasts, with unclear borders, which can cause pain, especially more noticeable before menstruation. When it might be a breast disease, it is advisable for patients to visit a hospital and consult a doctor on how to proceed.

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Written by Lin Yang

Breast Surgery

51sec

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Is bilateral breast pain breast cancer?

Bilateral breast pain generally is not considered breast cancer, but rather breast hyperplasia. Diagnosis can be confirmed through breast ultrasound and mammography. The ultrasound of breast hyperplasia typically shows uneven low echo areas; if cysts are present, they appear as anechoic areas. Mammography may display a ground-glass or cotton wool-like shadow. However, it is important to be cautious of the possibility that breast hyperplasia and breast cancer may coexist. On one hand, patients with significant hyperplasia should be closely followed up, advised to return to the hospital every two to three months for follow-up examinations. On the other hand, patients with significant proliferative lumps or unclear boundaries in thickened breast areas are recommended to undergo a biopsy of the suspicious lesions to prevent misdiagnosis.

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Written by Lin Yang

Breast Surgery

1min 9sec

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What's going on with breast swelling and pain and also arm soreness?

Breast swelling and pain, as well as arm soreness, are considered to be caused by mammary gland hyperplasia and accessory breast syndrome. Mammary gland hyperplasia often manifests as cyclical swelling and pain in the breasts, commonly occurring or worsening before menstruation and alleviating or disappearing after menstruation. While mild cases might not be noticed by patients, severe cases can impact daily life and work. However, some patients do not exhibit obvious cyclical changes, and symptoms can include unilateral or bilateral breast swelling and pain, resembling needle pricks, which can extend to the shoulder, upper limbs, or chest and back areas. A few patients might experience nipple discharge, which can be yellow-green, brown, or bloody. The condition can sometimes persist for a long time, with symptoms automatically disappearing or reducing after menopause. When breast swelling and pain occur, it is necessary to regularly recheck the breast with ultrasound and mammography.