Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Mastalgia classification
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Breast pain can be categorized into 2 main clinical patterns, cyclical and non cyclical.
Classification
Classification
It can be subdivided into 2 main clinical patterns:
- Cyclical when the pain is worse prior to each menstrual cycle
- This may occur with a woman’s natural menstrual cycles and is not due to any hormone or breast disease.
- It may be caused by use of hormonal contraception.
- Non-cyclical when the pain is unrelated to periods.
- It may be related to the underlying muscle.
- Trauma and resulting hematoma
- Infection is sometimes responsible, particularly during times of breast feeding.
- Breast engorgement during breast feeding (mastitis)
- Arthritis pain in the chest or neck felt as if it is coming from the breast.
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]