What Causes Breast Pain and Tenderness in Women?

Breast tenderness may occur in women before or during menstruation due to fluctuations in estrogen levels; this is a normal physiological phenomenon. Breast tenderness occurring outside the menstrual period may be caused by conditions such as mammary gland hyperplasia or fibroadenoma, and symptoms often become more pronounced during menstruation. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can also lead to breast tenderness. In lactating women, breast engorgement resulting from milk stasis may cause chest discomfort or pain.