Sore / painful breasts during pregnancy:
What is causing this breast pain ?
While painful breasts can be a clear early pregnancy symptom -
you can have sore breasts AND NOT be pregnant - sore breasts are common in young women, in older women post menopause, and there can be
different causes for painful breasts - for instance, it is common to have painful breasts around the time of your period.
Why are my breasts painful ?
There can be reasons other than pregnancy for painful breasts -
however we only concentrate on pregnancy related symptoms here. At the time of your period, levels
of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone are typically higher - these rising hormone levels can cause breast tenderness - in very early pregnancy the
levels of oestrogen and progesterone increase and stay higher than during the time of your period - and this pregnancy horomone level
rise can increase your chances of having sore breasts - if you are pregnant your breasts are already preparing for breast feeding - gaining
fat - adding milk glands - and increasing in size.
What are the symptoms ?
Any rubbing or light touching can be uncomfortable - its different from woman to woman - in early pregnancy tingling or soreness in the breasts
or nipples is common - there may also be a darkening of the areola - or a raising of the glands around the nipple.
I suspect I am pregnant - what can I do ?
Read through the pregnancy symptom checklist - then if you feel its
necessary take a home pregnancy test
What can I do to make my breasts less sensitive ?
You may consider buying a pregnancy sleep bra - this is a soft cotton bra and can help a lot.
When will my breasts return to normal ?
The tenderness you are feeling will reduce a lot if not completely after the first trimester - once your rising hormone levels
have stabilised - your breasts will continue to grow in size during pregnancy - you could increase two cup sizes or more.