Homeopathy for Breast Pain  – Top 10 Remedies

Breast pain is medically known as mastalgia  It is very common and many women at some point of their lives have experienced breast pain. It can be felt as discomfort, heaviness, tightness, mild tingling, dull ache, sharp pain or burning pain in the breast. Fullness in breasts, soreness, tenderness in breast and swelling in the breast can accompany this. The breast pain can sometimes radiate to arms. The pain can be present in one breast or both breasts or in the underarm. In some cases the pain is felt constantly and in others it occurs occasionally. The intensity also varies from mild to severe from case to case. Homeopathy for breast pain works to treat the root cause behind it to bring major pain relief.

Though pain can occur in women at any age but is more common in women before reaching menopause. Pain in both breasts that occurs before periods is not serious. But pain in one breast along with a hard lump in breast or nipple discharge is a reason of concern and needs to be further investigated.  

Causes 

Firstly, it can arise from changes in the reproductive hormones (estrogen and progesterone). Pain from this reason is frequently seen during puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause. In case of breast pain from hormonal changes the pain mostly gets worse 2 or 3 days before the menstrual period. The pain may sometimes also be there during periods. 

Second reason is breast cyst (fluid filled sac or lump in the breast. It is non cancerous. It is mostly painless but may be painful in some cases. These lumps have a tendency to enlarge in size around periods and they go away after menopause.

Thirdly it can arise from use of certain medicines. Some of these medicines include oral birth control pills, some of the hormonal medicine used for infertility treatment, use of  estrogen and progesterone therapies after menopause. Other medicines include antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor – SSRI),  some of the diuretics and steroids.

Next it can arise during breastfeeding sometimes.

It can occur during breastfeeding  from engorgement of breast when they become excessively full with milk, improper latching by baby during feeding (cracked and sore nipples can  occur with this) and mastitis (infection of milk ducts occurring commonly during breastfeeding from clogged milk duct but can also occur at other times). Along with breast pain other symptoms of mastitis are swelling, redness, warmth of breast, fever, chills. Itching, cracking, burning or blister formation can also occur on the nipples.

Some other factors that contribute to breast pain include  large breasts size (it can cause pain in neck, shoulder and back in addition to breast), breast surgery, some dietary factors (like eating food  high in fat and refined carbohydrates), smoking.

In some cases pain in breast occurs from reason outside the breast (extramammary breast pain). For example this can arise from irritation of the muscles of the chest, arms, back or muscle pull in the chest. It can also happen from costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs and breastbone).

In many cases however the reason is not found. 

Breast pain may cause fear in women thinking of it as arising from breast cancer but majority of times breast pain arises from a benign (non cancerous) condition of breast  and is  very rarely indicative of breast cancer.

Symptoms 

Breast pain is classified as cyclical or non cyclical breast pain.

Cyclical pain

It is the pain that is linked with the menstrual cycle and is worse a few days before periods. It usually resolves during and after periods. It is described as a heavy, dull ache in the breast. The pain can radiate to underarm. It usually occurs in both breast (portion affected is upper and outer portion) and the breast can be lumpy. It can be attended with swelling and tenderness in the breast. Women between  20 yrs and 30yrs of age  and in their 40’s before menopause are affected with this.

Non Cyclical pain 

It is not linked to the menstrual cycle. It is mainly present in one breast and feels soreness, burning and tightness in breast. Women after menopause are affected with this. It can occur from breast injury, mastitis and origin from surrounding muscles or tissues (extra mammary pain)

Homeopathy for Breast Pain 

Homeopathic medicines offer a very safe, gentle and effective treatment for cases of breast pain. These medicines also help to manage any attending swelling, tenderness in the breast. These medicines are prepared from naturally occurring substances so are very safe to use without any side effects. 

1. Conium – For Breast Pain Especially Before Periods

This medicine is very beneficial for breast pain that occurs before periods. Pain is worse from every step. In cases needing it the breast may also enlarge, and swell before periods. Soreness is also present in the breast. It is also indicated for stitching pain in the breast especially at night time or from walking.  It is a prominent medicine for hard lumps in the breast with stitching pain. Lastly it is indicated for pain in the breast from fall or blows.

2. Belladonna – for pain with swelling, redness, heat

This medicine is prepared from plant deadly nightshade. It is very effective for cases of pain in the breast with swelling, redness and heat. For using this medicine pain may be stinging or throbbing type.  The breast may also feel heavy. It is a well indicated medicine for inflammation of breasts from weaning.

3. Phytolacca – For Pain with Inflamed Breast and Hard Lumps

This medicine is prepared from plant Phytolacca decandra also known as Poke – root and Red Ink Plant. This plant belongs to family phytolaccaceae. It is a leading medicine for breast pain with inflamed breast. It is also top listed for treating hard, painful lumps in the breast. In case of inflammation, the breast is painful, intensely  swollen, hard, sensitive and tender.  Along with this the nipples may be sore, cracked, fissured and excoriated. In this case pain begins from the nipple and extends to the whole body. It is a very suitable medicine for severe stinging pains in breasts during breastfeeding. Another indication for using it is a lump in the breast which is sensitive and painful that is worse at menstrual period. The pain may extend down to the arm of the affected side. Lastly it is helpful for the hardness of the breast as hard as stone after weaning.

4. Silicea – For Breast Pain, Swelling and Hardness

This medicine is well indicated for pain in the breast along with swelling and hardness of the breast. It can also be reddened and sensitive to touch. Along with this burning sensation is felt. There can be high fever with this. Next important symptom pointing to its use is sharp pain in the breast while breastfeeding. Apart from these it is also useful for hard lumps in the breast.  

5. Lac Caninum – For Pain in Breast with Soreness and Sensitivity to Pressure 

This medicine offers great help in cases where there is pain in the breast along with soreness and sensitivity to least pressure. The pain worsens from the least jar where it is required. Fullness in breast and its enlargement may also be felt along with above symptoms.

6. Pulsatilla – For Painful Lumps in Breast of Young Girls

Pulsatilla is a natural medicine prepared from plant Pulsatilla Nigricans commonly known as wind flower or pasque flower. This plant belongs to family ranunculaceae. It is a very effective medicine to treat painful lumps in the breasts of young girls. The pain may radiate to the arm of the affected side. Another complaint to use this medicine is swollen, tensed, sore breasts with continuation of milk secretion after weaning.

7. Bryonia Alba – For Burning and Tearing Pain

This medicine is prepared from the root of a plant named Bryonia alba or wild hops. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. Its use is done for burning or tearing pain in the breast. Females who need  it also feel stony heaviness and hardness in the breasts. They also feel a heated sensation in the breast. Its use is also recommended when there is inflammation of the breast with heaviness, hardness and complaint worsens from motion. Next complaint that it helps is inflamed breasts with suppression milk flow.

8. Merc Sol – For Pain in Breast with Swelling and Ulcerated Nipples

This medicine is considered when the breast is painful along with swelling and ulcerated nipples. It is also hard and sore. It is also used in cases where nipples are raw and sore during breastfeeding in case of mastitis. Its another significant symptom is hardness, swelling and pain in breast during menses. Along with this milk may fill in breast in non pregnant females. 

9. Croton Tig – For Pain Extending to Back during Breastfeeding

The main indication for using this medicine is pain in the breast going through the chest to back during breastfeeding. Nipple may be very sore to touch with this. Next it is indicated for inflamed, swollen and hard breasts when pain from the nipple goes through to the back.

10. Castor Equi – For Swollen Breast with Pain on Touch

Castor Equi is a beneficial medicine for cases of swollen breasts with pain on touch. Additionally it is a very useful medicine for healing cracked, sore nipples in breastfeeding women. The nipples are very much tender with this complaint.