context: Soreness, swelling, heaviness, shooting or burning pangs, tightness -- whatever the feeling, breast pain hurts. It can be troubling, too -- it's very common to wonder if what you're feeling might be a sign of breast cancer. Doctors call breast pain âmastalgia.â It's important to track the cause of it. But know that pain in either or both of your breasts in itself isn't a sign of breast cancer. Breast tenderness and other discomfort can happen for lots of different reasons. This article examines the most common ones. Your breast pain is likely cyclical -- meaning it's linked to your reproductive cycle -- if you have some of these signs: The pain feels achy and heavy Your breasts swell or seem lumpy Both breasts are affected, mainly the upper and outer areas. Sometimes, the pain can radiate to your armpits Symptoms get worse during the 2 weeks before your period, then improve afterward You're in your childbearing years (around your 20s and 30s), or you're approaching menopause To help ease cyclical breast pain, your doctor might recommend you take oral contraceptives, or she may tweak the dosage you already take. She might also suggest you cut back on caffeine, or try over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium. Most breast pain seems to relate to the levels of two hormones -- estrogen and progesterone -- in your body. Doctors aren't sure what triggers breast pain. It can happen at different times in your reproductive life, such as during: Puberty Your monthly period or when you have premenstrual syndrome ( PMS) Pregnancy, usually in the first trimester Breastfeeding. Sometimes a blocked milk duct can get infected, a painful condition called mastitis. It needs to be treated immediately, usually with antibiotics. Menopause This is likely linked to hormones, as well. Fibrous tissue (breast tissue that's scar-like or ropey) and cysts (fluid-filled sacs) form in your breasts. It can be painful, but it's normal and usually harmless. About half of women in their 20s to 50s get it. You don't need treatment unless your symptoms are severe. These acids are found in vegetable and animals oils. If there's an imbalance of them in your cells, your breasts can be more sensitive to hormones. To reduce your symptoms, try cutting down the fat in your diet. Your doctor might also recommend a diet high in complex carbs. Some doctors think taking evening primrose oil helps correct fatty acid imbalances, too. Breast pain also can be triggered by reasons other than hormones. Yours might be linked to another issue if: Your pain feels like soreness, burning, or tightness Discomfort is constant (or unpredictable) Pain seems to affect one breast in a particular area You've passed menopause This pain feels like it's coming from your breasts. But it's actually radiating from somewhere else, often the chest wall. Usually, the pain gets better with rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory meds ( NSAIDs), and sometimes cortisone injections. If you strain your pectoralis major muscle (that's located beneath and around your breasts) it also can feel like your breasts are the source of the pain. This can result from activities like lifting, raking, and shoveling. Though mastitis usually occurs in women who are breastfeeding, it can happen at any age. If your clothes chafe against your nipples, that can irritate them, too. It can let in bacteria that may lead to infection. Trauma to a particular area of your breast -- such as from having surgery or getting implants -- can cause breast pain. Sometimes an injury can cause a breast vein to swell and a blood clot to form. Though painful, it's usually not serious. Certain prescription meds, as well as hormone medications, can cause breast pain. These include some heart medications and psychiatric drugs. Women with large, heavy breasts can suffer pain from stretched ligaments and breast tissue. It can hurt not only in your breasts, but in your back, neck, and shoulders, as well. Reduction surgery can help, but it, too, can cause pain if tissue is damaged during the operation. A supportive, sturdy bra can help keep your breasts in place. Wearing a sports bra to bed and when exercising can also help.