This unpleasant phenomenon can occur not only in women, but also in men and children. The discomfort is generally quite tolerable, but sometimes it becomes too strong. Why nipples hurt, how to deal with it? First, it is necessary to establish the cause — find out whether physiological changes in the body take place or a disease originates. Favorable results depend on how quickly you pay attention to the problem and solve it.
The main causes of pain
Most often, this problem occurs as a result of hormonal changes. For girls, they are quite natural, because their hormone levels change every month during the menstrual cycle. Also, many changes occur during pregnancy, the mammary gland assumes all these changes first.
In children, hormonal changes are less common and most often in adolescence, in men the problem can also be associated with an imbalance of hormones. But let's consider each of the options in detail.
Men
There are some diseases that can cause such pain. These include:
Gynecomastia
In this case, the production of male sex hormones decreases and the number of female hormones increases. As a result of an imbalance of proportions, the chest may increase, which is what causes the pain. This pathology appears with a decrease in sexual functions, problems in the liver, testicles. False gynecomastia may also occur when body weight rises: as a result, the chest grows.
Diabetes
This disease appears when hormonal system malfunctions, which also affects the state of the body, and nipple sensitivity is enhanced.
Infection
It resembles the course of mastitis in women: the breast begins to harden, nipple discharge, pain appears.
Breast cancer
In men, it is very rare, mostly after 60 years.
Women
Women often have such acute and severe pain that it is simply impossible to touch the breast. There are several reasons:
Monthly
Before menstruation, more than 60% of women face problems like chest and nipple pain. This is due to the fact that just a couple of days before the level of prolactin rises. In the absence of fertilization, after some period the hormonal balance returns to normal, so that the pain disappears.
Pregnancy
Breast augmentation and nipple pain are a clear sign of pregnancy. Additionally, symptoms such as nausea, drowsiness, and severe fatigue may appear.
Feeding baby
Very many young mothers experience pain in the nipples because of the inability to apply the child. In addition to pain, cracks may appear on the nipples, milk stagnates.
Hormonal disruptions
Most often this occurs in violation of the thyroid, adrenal glands as a result of severe stress.
As a result, it can also affect the mammary gland: the breast swells, soreness is felt in the nipples. The cycle may also move for a period.
If you, taking such medications, have noticed the appearance of soreness in the nipples, it is better to consult a doctor - perhaps the prescribed medications just do not suit you.
Bad bra
Surprisingly, the wrong choice of underwear can cause chest soreness. In this case, you just need to buy suitable for your size and material.
Children
Such problems are very rare in children. If this happens, the problem is most likely related to a mechanical injury, such as a bruise or a blow. In addition, can simply rub clothes. No need to exclude allergies or inflammation, problems with the adrenal glands. In any case, you should consult a doctor.
How to solve the problem of nipple pain
If we talk about self-treatment, then it is possible only in this form, such as:
- Elimination of mechanical factors that cause pain.
- The fight against stress, bad habits, active sports.
Otherwise, you need to consult a doctor, because only a specialist can determine the cause and prescribe the correct treatment.
In most cases, such examinations are prescribed as blood tests, ultrasound, biopsy. But let's consider some cases in more detail.
When feeding a baby
Burning in the nipple area is very common during lactation. There are several nuances that will help prevent such a problem: wear seamless underwear, use creams to lubricate the nipples, try not to use soap, because it dries the skin very much. After you feed the baby, wait until the milk is dry.
Next, lubricate the skin with sea buckthorn oil and in no case use green paint or alcohol.
Often the pain occurs during the feeding itself. Most likely, the problem is that the baby has captured both the nipple and the areola of the skin around. Learn to properly apply the child.
Also, do your best to heal damaged nipples. Try to keep your chest open as long as possible, use healing creams, such as Lanovit. And to avoid stagnation, express milk.
Monthly
As we said, the nipples mostly hurt after ovulation. But it also happens that for some time the discomfort remains after menstruation, which is caused by physiology.
To alleviate the discomfort, do the following:
- Take a warm shower.
- Do not forget about proper nutrition.
- Minimize the amount of strong coffee and alcohol.
- Do not include salty and spicy foods in the diet.
- Use foods with a lot of magnesium in the composition (or drink vitamins).
Try not to use hard washcloths, towels when washing, it is better to take soft ones. Bra should be comfortable. Try to eliminate all irritants that can cause pain. If the discomfort does not let you go, we recommend to go to the doctor.
Pregnancy
In the early period pain in the nipples is a frequent occurrence, which indicates hormonal changes. As a result, the breast becomes larger, the nipples themselves - hard, sensitive. Because of the effects of prolactin, the breast begins to grow faster, but the tissues themselves do not always keep up with it. Over time, their sensitivity decreases, and by the middle of pregnancy the pain goes away.
You can help the "air baths": go home topless, it will not only harden the body, but also provide the skin with an inflow of air. But too hot a shower during this period is better not to take, you should also maintain the temperature in the room at +20 degrees. Also lubricate the nipples with cream or sea buckthorn oil.
What kind of doctor to visit
If you have pain in the nipples should consult a gynecologist: he will conduct an examination, collect all tests and examine their results. Most likely, you will also need to contact a mammologist, who will determine the absence or presence of entities. In some cases, they may order a biopsy.
If the problem is a hormonal failure, you will have to go to an endocrinologist: the doctor will examine the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands. After the study, prescribe the desired treatment.
And remember that severe pain does not arise just like that, there is always a reason. She can be simple, caused by uncomfortable clothing. However, the discomfort may be due to a tumor in the breast. That is why it is so important to visit a doctor.
