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Maydaybaybee Asks...
Hi, i've been having pains in my left breast for almost 2 weeks, and i keep feeling really sick and getting headaches, i've checked for lumps but can't seem to find any, and my mothers also checked. I'm on my periods and have never had sex so i know i am not pregnant.
What we suggest...
Hi Maydaybaybee, thanks for contacting q2a.
You tell us that you have been experiencing pains in your left breast for about 2 weeks and that you have been feeling really sick and getting headaches. As we are not medically trained we can't diagnose what may be causing the pain and we would suggest that you see your GP about it. The symptoms you have described could be completely harmless or they could be a sign of a medical problem. Without seeing a doctor it would be impossible to know for certain.
You have said that you have been feeling really sick and getting headaches but it may be that this is a separate symptom to the breast pain, and that they are not being caused by the same thing. You said that you have checked for lumps but can't find anything. This is a positive thing although we imagine it might be quite scary for you as you might be worrying about having breast cancer. With this in mind, it might interest you to know that pain is not a common symptom for people with early stage breast cancer and that it is more usually discovered when a woman finds a painless lump. It is thought that pain is only a symptom in about 1in 20 cases of breast cancer so if you do get pain in your breasts then breast cancer is not likely to be the cause, although it is possible.
With regards to breast cancer it is important that you always see your doctor if you have any of the following:
#Breast lump
# Lump in the armpit
# Abnormal nipple discharge
# Change in the skin of the breast or nipple (e.g. dimpled, scaly, or "orange peel" appearance)
# Change in appearance of the nipple (e.g. pulled in nipple, enlargement)
# Change in sensation of the nipple (e.g. itching)
Breast pain is actually quite a common experience for women and is often not something to worry about (apart from the discomfort involved). There are two main types of breast pain, cyclical and non-cyclical breast pain. Cyclical breast pain is when the pain is usually before you have your period and non cyclical may come and go in a seemingly random way. Some types of breast pain can't really be explained as their cause is unknown and in some cases the pain can just go away of its own accord. However, non cyclical pain can also be caused by some infections, cysts (harmless fluid-filled lumps) or a muscle pain. Another cause of pain can be due to having large breasts. If this is the case it's important that you wear a well-fitting bra. Many department stores and shops offer a measuring service. If you do any sport, then it's important that you wear a sports bra. So again, our best advice is to have your symptoms checked by a GP so you can put your mind at ease. Your doctor will also be able to suggest appropriate treatment to get rid of the cause of the pain, or provide pain relief so that the pain is more manageable.
You said that you have not had sex so you know you are not pregnant. The symptoms you are experiencing would not necessarily suggest you were, but we feel it's important to point out that you don't have to have sexual intercourse to get pregnant. A woman can get pregnant in any situation where their partner's sperm comes into contact with their vagina, which could happen in a variety of situations. For this reason it is very important to always be very careful if you taking part in any sort of sexual activity where this could be a risk. If you have had any close sexual contact recently you could have a pregnancy test done. You can either do this yourself with a home testing kit which you can buy in supermarkets or chemists, or go to a young people's clinic. This is the main service in Doncaster:
Doncaster Contraceptive & Sexual Health Services, East Laith Gate House, East Laith Gate, Doncaster. Telephone: DN1 1JE. Open: Monday 11.30am - 3.30pm. Tuesday 12.30 - 4.30pm. Wednesday 2 - 4pm & 5 - 7.30pm. Thursday 10am - 2pm. Friday 11.30am - 1.30pm
If this isn't convenient you can contact the following organisations to find your nearest:
# Sexwise, 0800 28 29 30. Open 7am-midnight every day. Website: http://www.ruthinking.co.uk
# Sexual Health Line, 0800 567 123. Open 24 hours. Website: http://www.condomessentialwear.co.uk
Apart from pregnancy there are lots of other possible reasons for having headaches and feeling sick:
# anxiety
# some types of medication
# infections
# using alcohol
# some mental illnesses e.g. eating disorders
# various disorders of the intestines or abdomen.
Again, you would need to see your GP to find out what the cause is. We hope you understand why we are not able to give you a precise answer to your enquiry about your health but we hope that you find our answer helpful. We also hope that your symptoms indicate something that can be simply and quickly treated. Please email us again if you think we can help, about this or anything else.
Hope you feel fine again soon,
Best wishes from q2a.
Expert advice and every precaution has been taken to ensure that the information on this page is trustworthy and reliable, but the publishers do not hold themselves responsible for any inaccuracy as information can go out of date very quickly. This page gives general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law. With regard to suggested weblinks given in this reply please note that Lancashire County Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.