Should I use cold or hot compress for breast pain?

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on December 31, 2024
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For breast tenderness, we generally choose hot compresses to reduce pain. For the occurrence of mammary gland hyperplasia, it is recommended to use medication for symptomatic treatment, which may include traditional Chinese medicine. This treatment involves soothing the liver and regulating qi, and balancing the thoroughfare and conception vessels to alleviate pain. Endocrine treatments are also an option, but they are ideally avoided if possible.

However, for significant pain during the pre-menopausal period, medication can be taken before the onset of menstruation. Vitamin treatments with vitamins B, C, and E, which help improve liver function, regulate hormone metabolism, and enhance autonomic nerve functions, can be used as adjunctive medications for this condition.

Vitamin E also has pain-relieving properties. For individuals with a family history of breast cancer, localized lesions in part of the breast, noticeable lumps after menstruation or dense shadows or microcalcifications on a mammographic film, a biopsy or a Mammotome rotational excision procedure should be performed, and surgical treatment may be necessary if required.

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Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain, what's wrong?

Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain are considered to be caused by fibrocystic breast changes. The symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes include cyclic swelling and pain in the breasts, often appearing or worsening before menstruation and reducing or disappearing after menstruation. It may manifest as swelling and pain in one or both breasts, or prickling and painful sensations, and can extend to the shoulders, upper arms, or thoracic regions. Few patients may experience nipple discharge. During physical examination, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are firm but not hard, can be felt in one or both breasts. Sometimes these lumps are tender, and their boundaries with the surrounding breast tissue are indistinct, but they are not adherent to the skin or pectoral muscles. Regular follow-up with breast ultrasound is advisable.

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Will the breasts still swell and hurt if there is a miscarriage in early pregnancy?

In early pregnancy, if the fetus stops developing, some of the early pregnancy symptoms in the pregnant woman will gradually ease, but the easing process will not happen immediately. For example, breast tenderness can persist for a period of time, usually easing after a week as levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, estrogen, and progesterone decrease, resulting in relief from breast pain. In early pregnancy, if embryo arrest occurs, it is advisable to take treatment measures promptly to address the non-developing gestational sac. Options include surgical abortion or medical abortion.

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Is it useful to apply potato slices for breast pain?

Applying potato slices to breast swelling and pain is ineffective, as such discomfort often relates to mammary gland hyperplasia, which is commonly believed to be associated with hormonal imbalances leading to increased estrogen levels. Therefore, for the swelling and pain caused by hyperplasia, we generally use traditional Chinese medicine treatments. By employing methods that soothe the liver and regulate Qi, aligning the Chong and Ren meridians, pain relief can be achieved. Endocrine treatments are also available but generally avoided unless the pain is particularly severe before menopause, in which case they can be taken before the onset of menstruation. Vitamin therapy is another option. Vitamins B, C, and E are known to improve liver function, regulate basal metabolic rate, and enhance autonomic nervous functions, serving as supplementary treatments for the condition. In recent years, vitamin E has also been recognized for its pain-relief properties. Proper diagnosis of breast swelling and pain also necessitates the use of color ultrasonography and mammography.

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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is breast pain before menstruation related to breast cysts?

Women experiencing breast pain before menstruation are advised to undergo a systematic examination at a hospital. If you suspect that you have a breast cyst, it is still advisable to undergo relevant tests to eliminate the possibility of this condition. If breast cysts are ruled out, the pre-menstrual breast pain might be due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Premenstrual syndrome in women often manifests as headaches, breast pain, abdominal bloating, limb edema, irritability, anxiety, depression, and emotional instability, among other symptoms. If diagnosed with PMS, psychological reassurance and counseling can be provided to help the woman relax. Additionally, a suitable diet, nutrition, and appropriate physical exercise should be considered. If necessary, medication might be taken under a doctor's prescription. For further queries, please consult a doctor at a hospital.

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What should you not eat if you have breast pain?

Breast swelling and pain are mostly considered to be related to breast hyperplasia, and can be diagnosed through breast ultrasound or mammography. Therefore, patients with breast hyperplasia need to eat less food containing estrogen, as supplementing exogenous estrogen has been confirmed to increase the incidence of breast cancer, and it is also advised to reduce the intake of fatty and high-calorie diets. Most epidemiological studies confirm that weight gain is associated with breast cancer, especially weight gain after menopause should be paired with reduced alcohol consumption. Reports indicate that drinking may increase hormone levels in the body, leading to an increased risk of breast cancer in women. It is suggested to consume more foods rich in fiber and vitamins. Although the mechanism is not yet clear, fiber has been confirmed to have an inhibitory effect on both breast cancer and colorectal cancer, and research suggests that vitamin A also has a protective role in breast cells.