[1][3] Pain that involves only one part of a breast is more concerning,[1] particularly if a hard mass or nipple discharge is also present.

[3] Causes may be related to the menstrual cycle, birth control pills, hormone therapy, or psychiatric medication.

[4] Diagnosis involves examination, with medical imaging if only a specific part of the breast hurts.

Some degree of cyclical breast tenderness is normal in the menstrual cycle, and is usually associated with menstruation and/or premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Some degree of non-cyclical breast tenderness can normally be present due to hormonal changes in puberty (both in girls and boys), in menopause and during pregnancy.

[5] Other causes of non-cyclical breast pain include alcoholism with liver damage (likely due to abnormal steroid metabolism), mastitis and medications such as digitalis, methyldopa (an antihypertensive), spironolactone, certain diuretics, oxymetholone (an anabolic steroid), and chlorpromazine (a typical antipsychotic).

[14] Spironolactone, low dose oral contraceptives, and low-dose estrogen have helped to relieve pain.

[2][5] Pain may be relieved by reassurance that it does not signal a serious underlying problem, and an active life style can also effect an improvement.

[2] Information regarding how the pain is real but not necessarily caused by disease can help to understand the problem.

Another non-pharmacological measure to help relieve symptoms of pain may be to use good bra support.