Relationships May 29, 2017
Being a woman can be a real struggle. Our bodies are constantly changing with our fluctuating hormones.
For example, after women become fertile, their lives and bodies change forever … including their breasts. And with all this change comes a little pain. Nipple pain, that is.
From pregnancy to breastfeeding to ovulation, nipple pain is caused by a number of reasons. But don’t worry because it’s a very common issue. Only in some cases should you need to address a doctor for more serious health concerns.
So if you’re wondering why your nipples are so sore, you can refer to ENTITY’s brief guide that answers your most pressing nipple concerns.
Tender nipples and nipple pain are most common around that certain time of the month. Some women experience breast pain more than others. Everyone’s pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms can vary drastically from headaches, bloating, stomach cramps and, yes,— nipple sensitivity.
To reduce breast and nipple pain during menstruation try to limit your sodium intake to prevent water retention that causes tenderness to worsen during your period, according to the OBGYN Women’s Centre website
After pregnancy, our hormones can go bouncing off our uterine-lined wall, causing fuller breasts and tender nipples as they prepare to source your baby with milk.
To decrease the pain, try investing in a soft padded sports bra. You can also massage the sensitive area with shea butter, olive, coconut or almond oil and apply a warm water compress to the affected spot to help ease your soreness.
If you still experience pain that doesn’t go away or worsens, it could be mastitis. This is a condition caused by inflamed nipples most common during breastfeeding. The nipples become red, swollen and sore to the touch when the milk remains in the beasts for too long and becomes infected.
You can avoid mastitis by frequently pumping milk from your breasts. If the symptoms don’t go away after using a warm damp cloth for compression, then seek out professional medical care.
If you tend to have sensitive skin then look out for your nips! They could have the same allergic reaction you typically get from certain soap and lotion brands.
You may be surprised to learn that a variety of medications can cause allergic reactions as well, including antidepressants like SSRIs to MAOIs. These are both known to cause nipple discharge due to the natural hormone imbalance in your system. Discharge can appear clear, milky-white, greenish, yellowish, brown, sticky or in some rare cases, even bloody.
Herbal remedies that have also been known to cause nipple discharge include ingredients such as anise, a licorice-flavored herb, and fennel. Fenugreek is another herb used to promote milk flow after birth.
It’s important to realize that that nipple discharge is not a normal symptom to experience if you aren’t pregnant. If you do have it, you may want to go to a doctor.
As for the nipple pain, there are various things that could cause that and some of them aren’t as worrisome as others. Just keep an eye on your girls and listen to what your body is telling you!
