Mastalgia classification

Breast pain can be categorized into 2 main clinical patterns, cyclical and non cyclical.

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.