Engorged breasts: Why does self-massage make the pain worse?

Generally, engorged breasts may become more painful when pressed or massaged. This could be due to physiological reasons or pathological conditions such as nipple inflammation or mastitis. The details are as follows:

1. Physiological Causes

When massaging the breasts, excessive pressure may compress the milk ducts and cause pain. Therefore, breast massage should be gentle and performed with moderate pressure.

2. Pathological Causes

a. Nipple Inflammation

Nipple inflammation is a common condition in breastfeeding women and can cause breast pain and discomfort. If the nipples are still inflamed during massage, the pain may worsen.

b. Mastitis

Mastitis is another common condition among breastfeeding women, causing symptoms such as breast swelling and pain. Massaging the breasts before mastitis has healed may lead to significantly increased pain.

Besides the above causes, other possible conditions include fibrocystic breast changes, breast cysts, and even breast cancer. If breast engorgement becomes increasingly painful with self-massage, it is advisable to stop massaging immediately. If the engorgement is severe, prompt medical attention is recommended. A doctor can provide appropriate treatment recommendations based on the condition, including medication or manual expression of milk. In summary, breast massage during engorgement should be gentle and moderate to avoid overstimulation. Additionally, prevention and timely treatment of conditions like mastitis are essential.