Is Breast Pain Normal During Puberty?

Puberty is often a confusing phase of our lives. It is accompanied by a range of body and emotional changes that can be overwhelming. One of the typical experiences many young girls go through during this time is tenderness or pain in their breasts. Naturally, this leads to concern, but is breast pain during puberty normal? Well, your favourite AI tool can give you a straight yes. However, it is more complex than that, so read ahead to know what the industry experts have to tell you.

In an exclusive interaction with the editorial team of Onlymyhealth, our expert, Dr Suma Varsha, IVF Specialist, Ferty9 Fertility Centre - Vijayawada, explained to us the reasons why it occurs, what happens, and when to consult a doctor. Let’s understand one by one.

Why Breast Pain Occurs During Puberty

Dr Varsha said, “When the body matures from childhood to adulthood, increased levels of progesterone and oestrogen stimulate breast growth. This is known as thelarche, and usually starts between 8 and 13 years old. The tissue of the breasts, milk ducts, and fat cells all develop and mature, and this can cause pain, tenderness, or even itching.” Some major causes of breast pain during puberty include:

• Hormonal changes: Oestrogen causes growth of breast tissue and progesterone causes milk gland development, which tends to create temporary soreness.
• Increasing breast tissue: Skin stretching and new tissue formation may be why it can get painful.
• Breast buds: Small, firm lumps beneath the nipple region that are the initial sign of growing breasts and may be sensitive to the touch. When there is friction between clothes and the body, it can eventually cause pain.
• Increased sensitivity: Nerves within the breast tissue are stimulated during development, leading to tenderness.

Also Read: 6 Causes Of Sharp Vaginal Pain During Pregnancy

What Does Breast Pain Feel Like?

Breast pain in puberty can feel quite different from one person to another, Dr Varsha highlighted. Some typical feelings are:

• A sharp or dull ache
• Tenderness when bumped or pressed
• Itching or tingling from stretched skin
• Intermittent pain, usually worse before menstruation starts

“Additionally, it's also normal for breasts to develop unevenly. One breast might hurt and the other be fine; this is perfectly normal and generally balances out over time,” she affirmed.

How Long Does It Last?

Breast discomfort is typically temporary and tends to fade as the breasts continue to develop. Tenderness can come back cyclically once menstruation occurs, though, because of hormonal fluctuations each month.

How to Relieve Breast Pain During Puberty

First things first, understand that this is no panic and breast pain is normal, not alarming. A few easy expert-approved ways to help alleviate discomfort are:

• Wear a supportive bra: A soft-cup, well-fitting bra can limit movement and soften tenderness.
• Apply warm or cold compresses: Warmth loosens muscles, and cold packs alleviate soreness.
• Gentle massage: Gently massaging the area can lower pain.
• Over-the-counter pain medication: If the pain is more severe, over-the-counter pain relievers (with a parent or physician's supervision) can be effective.
• Stay away from caffeine and processed foods: These can make breast tenderness worse for some individuals.

Bottomline

Breast tenderness during puberty is just part of the normal process of development and, for the most part, nothing to be concerned with. It's your body adapting to the normal hormonal changes. With supportive therapy and knowledge of when to call, this period may be tolerated comfortably.