Breast pain, including sharp shooting pain, is common and usually resolves itself. However, severe, persistent, or pressing pain requires medical attention. Menstrual cycle or hormonal changes may cause sharp pain in the left breast that comes and goes. It can usually be self-treated, but an infection or other condition requires medical attention. These cases usually have more symptoms. With this information, your doctor will determine the cause and suggest next steps.
Breast Pain
A breast shooting pain may surprise you. Something may be going on beneath the surface if you’re feeling uncomfortable. Different pain management centers empower women to take charge of their health and wellness. Use and share these resources to stay informed and answer your breast health questions.
Patients often ask about breast pain:
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Why are my breasts sore in the morning?
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Why does my right breast have intermittent, sharp pain?
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My breasts hurt after my period. Why?
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Before answering each question, define “breast pain.”
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Breast pain is any breast or underarm discomfort or tenderness. Cyclic and noncyclic forms are often used to classify it.
What Causes Breast Pain?
Many things can cause breast pain. Many are not dangerous , but some are serious, so consult your doctor. Causes include:
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Breast cysts: Some breast cysts cause constant or intermittent pain or tenderness.
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Medications like:
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Human hormone replacement therapy
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Pills or injections for birth control
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Infertility remedies
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Antidepressants
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SSRIs
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Diuretics
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Fibrocystic breast changes Breast lumps, tenderness, and swelling from fluid buildup.
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Breast surgery: scar tissue after breast surgery can hurt.
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Mastitis—a breast infection that can affect anyone but most often affects lactating women.
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Costochondritis
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Trauma to the breast or surrounding tissue.
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Insufficient or incorrect bra support.
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Breast cancer—Most breast cancers don’t cause pain, but some breast tumors and inflammatory breast cancer can.
Breast Pain Types
Doctors classified breast pain causes into three categories:
Breast Pain Cycles
Hormonal fluctuations can cause cyclical pain during the menstrual cycle, either naturally or with medications. Breast pain usually starts a week before a period and lasts throughout the cycle. Birth control users can experience these symptoms.
Non-Cyclical Breast Pain
Non-cyclical breast/chest pain is intermittent. Fat necrosis, a benign condition, usually results from a previous injury or surgery. Dr. Alvarado added, “Diet and lifestyle may cause breast pain. A low-fat diet, quitting smoking, and cutting caffeine can also help.”
Extranannaey Pain
Extramammary pain looks like breast pain but may be caused by lung or muscle-skeletal issues. Four common examples of this pain:
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Ligaments stretched: Large-breasted women may experience pain from Cooper’s ligament stretching. They may also have back, neck, and shoulder pain.
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Costochondritis: rib-breastbone cartilage inflammation. The half of the chest closest to the breastbone may hurt when pressure is applied, the rib cage moves, or a person breathes deeply. It usually comes after moving heavy things or stretching your upper body.
Is Left Breast Shooting Pain Serious?
Sharp pain in the left breast that comes and goes is common, However some situations require medical attention. If a person develops these symptoms, call the nearest emergency department.
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Severe chest pain
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Pressure in chest
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Chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, back, arm, neck, jaw, or stomach pain, cold sweat, lightheadedness, or nausea.
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Loss of consciousness
The best pain doctor in Dallas should be consulted immediately if breast pain is severe, sudden, or does not improve.
When to Visit a Doctor
Left-sided breast pain has many causes. Some are more serious. Medical attention is the only way to determine your pain’s cause. If you’re experiencing breast pain, call your doctor:
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Pain is longer than two weeks.
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It’s stationary and gets worse.
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Your activity is limited.
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A painful lump persists after your period.
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Breasts are red or swollen.
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You have nipple or pus drainage.
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Your body alerts you to problems with pain. Do not ignore or dismiss it.
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Ask your doctor over and over again what’s causing your pain.
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Seek a second opinion if pain persists.
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Left breast pain can have multiple causes. You may have costochondritis and a breast cyst. Talk to a pain management in Dallas about how to diagnose and treat left breast pain.
Breast Pain Diagnosis
Your doctor may order a mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy to rule out serious pain-related conditions.
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Mammograms show doctors the breast tissue in the breast pain area.
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Ultrasound: Doctors may use an ultrasound to determine if a mammogram mass is fluid-filled or solid. This lets your doctor choose the next treatment.
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A biopsy is often done after a mammogram or ultrasound to look more closely at a lump or area that appears odd.
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Radiologist removed a small breast tissue sample for testing during a biopsy.
Conclusion
If you have sudden sharp left breast pain, get checked for a heart attack. Injury or disease of the breast tissue can cause sharp pain in left breast that comes and goes. Breast cancer is rarely painful early on. Occasionally, inflammatory breast cancer causes redness and swelling. The left breast may feel pain from nearby chest muscles, lungs, or esophagus. Fibromyalgia or shingles can cause nerve pain.