What Does It Mean When Your Right Breast Hurts

Breast health is incredibly important, as certain conditions are more easily treatable if they're caught and identified early. This is one of the main reasons why women are advised to perform their own monthly breast exams to ensure the tissue is free from lumps, as these can be an early sign of breast cancer. If you're experiencing pain, either in both breasts or if one hurts more than the other, this doesn't necessarily indicate a serious medical condition. Your right breast may hurt for any number of reasons, which is why it's important to stay educated on the topic to help identify any alarming symptoms.

According to Healthline, breast pain falls into two primary categories: cyclical pain and non-cyclical pain. Cyclical pain is recurring discomfort that typically aligns with your monthly period. Non-cyclical pain is the result of several potential causes, including an injury to your right breast or strain on the surrounding muscles. A breast injury is usually identified by redness, swelling, or a bruise that doesn't go away (per Hopkins Medicine). If you've strained the surrounding muscles, the pain you experience is akin to any discomfort you've felt from a pulled muscle in the past.

Regardless of the cause of your breast pain, treatment options are available.

Hopkins Medicine states that breast pain can develop from something as simple as wearing the wrong type of bra, but it's important to identify when the discomfort began and any contributing factors to help determine the exact cause. 

The Mayo Clinic has reported that certain hormonal medications, such as birth control pills and fertility treatments, can cause your breasts to hurt. In these instances, and for occasions where you're experiencing breast discomfort due to an improperly fitting bra, over-the-counter pain medications help resolve the issue.

Go for a proper bra fitting to ensure you're purchasing the right garments for your breast size and remember to wear a sports bra when exercising to avoid injury to your chest or the surrounding muscles. If you've noticed your right breast hurting and you feel a lump in the tissue while performing a self-exam, contact your doctor to schedule an in-person appointment. The lump could be a cyst, which often goes away on its own, but it's best to have a healthcare professional perform a secondary examination and any needed tests to double check (via Healthline). You are your own best advocate, so be sure to vocalize any concerns you have and request tests by name to be as proactive as possible.