Pain in the nipples periodically occurs in every woman. Soreness can be associated both with pathologies and with temporary non-dangerous phenomena.
Why does the nipple hurt? There can be many causes of pain.
The most common reason why the nipple hurts is premenstrual cider. Such pain is called cyclical and begins about a week before menstruation. In this case, both nipples and both mammary glands hurt. The pain is accompanied by swelling, heaviness and bursting of the chest, an increase in its size. Painful sensations pass immediately with the onset of menstruation. Cyclical pain is associated with hormonal changes that occur in a woman's body every month.
Pain in the nipples and mammary glands can occur during pregnancy. They are associated with ongoing changes in the female breast during preparation for breastfeeding.
The cause of pain in the nipples can be the use of hormonal contraceptives and drugs for the treatment of infertility. Antidepressants can also lead to this kind of pain.
If the nipple hurts and breast before menstruation, this may be a sign of mastopathy, which must be distinguished in time from the premenstrual syndrome and be sure to consult a doctor.
Often, pain in the nipple is associated with breastfeeding. Many women consider this phenomenon to be the norm and sometimes suffer considerable torment. But doctors believe that pain cannot be tolerated, and its causes need to be eliminated. Moreover, lactation should not bring torment, but a pleasant sensation for both mother and baby. If the mother is in severe pain, the feeding process may simply not be right.
As a rule, the left nipple or right one hurts if the position of the baby or mother during feeding is incorrect.
Problems with the nipples can occur when they are excessively dry, an uncomfortable bra or its wrong size, damage and irritation of the nipple.
Such pain is possible if a nursing mother feeds her baby both breast and bottle. Usually in this case, the baby simply does not suckle properly.
If the nipple hurts during breastfeeding, then the woman’s breast may have become inflamed. This disease is called mastitis and is characterized, in addition to pain, by discharge from the nipple.
The lactating mothers begin to hurt in nursing mothers if she does not change her bra for a long time and her nipples are moistened for a long time.
So that the breast does not hurt during breastfeeding, it must be carefully taken care of. Nipples must not be injured or squeezed. Dryness and excessive moisture should be avoided. Try to wash your nipples with soap as little as possible and not use alcohol-containing drugs to process them.
If cracks or wounds appear, stop feeding immediately before wounds heal.
Of great importance for the prevention of pain in the nipples is the proper feeding of the child. In order for the nipple to be squeezed less, the child must also capture the areola. At the end of feeding, the breast cannot be pulled, otherwise the baby will crush the nipple. It is necessary to carefully release it, spreading the gums of the child.
It happens that the nipple begins to itch, and then the woman involuntarily combes the delicate skin, which leads to painful sensations. The cause of pain during feeding can even be a breast operation performed many years ago.
The nipple hurts even if it is slightly damaged during sleep on the abdomen during lactation. Painful sensations can occur if a woman forms milk very quickly.
Laces, bra seams or tight underwear can damage sensitive nipple skin.
The nipple hurts when feeding, if there is an allergy to the material of the laundry, to washing, washing and hygiene products, to softening ointments for nipples.
The causes of pain can be nipple nerve damage, circulatory disorders, candidiasis, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, herpes, pustules.
Pain can occur with blockage of the outlet and the formation of the milk bubble.
If you experience any pain in the nipples, you should consult your doctor so as not to miss life-threatening diseases.