Breast Symptoms-Teen

When to Call for Breast Symptoms-Teen

Care Advice for Breast Symptoms - Teen

Breast Pain or Tenderness Before Menstrual Periods

1. What You Should Know:
   • Some teens (10%) have breast pain and fullness on a monthly basis. This occurs just before their menstrual period.
   • The discomfort can range from mild to moderate.
   • Pain and swelling goes away between menstrual periods.
   • Cause: normal changes caused by hormone cycles.
   • Medical name: cyclic mastalgia.
2. Pain Medicine:
   • Ibuprofen is best for this type of pain. Give ibuprofen every 6 hours, as needed.
   • If you don't have ibuprofen, give acetaminophen every 4 hours. Do this until you can get ibuprofen.
3. Wear a Support Bra:
   • Wear a well-fitted support bra or sports bra when breast pain occurs.
   • This is especially important when you exercise.
   • Some women with large breasts are more comfortable wearing a bra even when sleeping.
4. Reduce Caffeine:
   • Some women report increased breast pain after drinking coffee or colas.
   • If that applies to you, avoid caffeine or reduce your intake.
5. Expected Course:
   • Should go away between menstrual periods.
   • If symptoms are not better between periods, make an appointment to see your doctor.
6. Breast Self-Examination (BSE):
   • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) does not recommend teaching teens BSE until age 18 years.
   • Reason: incidence of breast cancer between age 15 and 19 years is low (2 cases per million girls).
   • BSE is best learned in person from a health care provider. If you are over 18, make an appointment to discuss this with your provider.
   • Best time for BSE is at the end of each menstrual cycle. Lumps are easiest to feel at that time.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Breast pain doesn't go away between periods
   • You miss a period or pregnancy test is positive
   • You feel a lump
   • You think your teen needs to be seen
   • Your teen becomes worse

Breast Pain During or After Exercise

1. What You Should Know:
   • Breast pain during or following hard exercise is common.
   • Cause: stretching of ligaments inside the breast.
   • Most common in girls with large breasts.
   • Large breasts may also cause back pain.
   • The pain most often lasts 1 or 2 days.
2. Wear a Sports Bra:
   • Wear a good quality sports bra when you exercise.
3. Pain Medicine:
   • Ibuprofen is best for this type of pain. Give ibuprofen every 6 hours, as needed.
   • If you don't have ibuprofen, give acetaminophen every 4 hours. Do this until you can get ibuprofen.
4. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You feel a lump
   • Breast pain lasts more than 2 days
   • You think your teen needs to be seen
   • Breast pain becomes worse

Breast Size Unequal

1. What You Should Know:
   • A difference in breast size is common and normal.
   • At puberty, breast development most often starts on one side before the other.
   • While breasts are growing, 50% of girls have breasts that are different sizes.
   • After the breasts are mature, 25% of women still have unequal breasts. Usually the left is larger.
   • The difference is most often minor.
   • Medical name: normal breast asymmetry.
2. Treatment for Breast Asymmetry:
   • Wearing a bra pad on the smaller side is an option.
   • After age 18, if the difference is major, referral to a plastic surgeon can be considered.
3. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You think your teen needs to be seen
   • You have other questions or concerns

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.