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There are many reasons breasts can be painful. It's not usually anything serious, but see a GP if the pain does not improve.

Breast pain is usually linked to periods. Sometimes it can be caused by a health condition or medicine.

Breast pain linked to periods

Breast pain linked to periods usually:

• begins up to 2 weeks before a period, gets worse and then goes away when the period ends
• feels dull, heavy or aching
• affects both breasts and sometimes spreads to the armpit

Other causes of breast pain

Other causes of breast pain include:

• injuries or sprains to the neck, shoulder or back – these can be felt as breast pain
• medicines like the contraceptive pill and some antidepressants
• conditions like mastitis or a breast abscess
• pregnancy
• hormone changes during the menopause

Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer.

To help ease breast pain:

• take paracetamol or ibuprofen, or rub painkilling gel on your breasts
• wear a properly fitted bra during the day and a soft bra to sleep in

There's little evidence that vitamin E tablets or evening primrose oil help with breast pain.

See a GP about breast pain if:

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: