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Breast pain

There are many reasons breasts can be painful. It's not usually anything serious, but see a GP if the pain does not improve or you're worried about your symptoms.

Causes of breast pain

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
  • may affect both breasts and sometimes spread 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, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and some antidepressants
  • conditions like mastitis or a breast abscess
  • pregnancy
  • hormone changes during menopause
  • a badly fitting or unsupportive bra

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

Things you can do to ease breast pain

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.

When and where to get medical help

Breast pain is common and is not usually a sign of anything serious, but it's best to get it checked.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP about breast pain if:

  • you have changes to your breast like a lump, swelling, changes to the nipple, or the skin on your breast looks or feels dimpled (like orange peel)
  • it's not improving or painkillers are not helping
  • there's a history of breast cancer in your family
  • the pain is new or different for you
  • you are worried about it
Information:

Check your symptoms with NHS 111 online

If you're worried about your symptoms, NHS 111 online can help you find the support or treatment you may need.

Get help from 111 online

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

  • you have breast pain and have a very high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery
  • any part of your breast is hot, swollen or has a change in colour – on black or brown skin it may look darker than usual, on white skin it may look red

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Page last reviewed: 23 October 2026
Next review due: 23 October 2029