Tenderness in my right breast. when I breastfeed on my left breast I feel pain in my right. What can this be?
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Hello, My right breast has been tender for the past two days. It is not the whole breast. Just the right side of the right breast. When I touch the left side it is totally fine. My left breast is not swollen or tender at all. I breastfeed my 1-year-old and this has never happened to me before. Even when I have been on my period this has never happened to me. I have touched my breast and I don't think I feel anything only tenderness. Also when I breastfeed on my left breast I feel pain in my right. What can this be?
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@koln Hello, Your description suggests that you could have early lactational mastitis. Lactational mastitis is a condition in which a woman's breast becomes painful, swollen, and red; it is most common in the first three months of breastfeeding. Initially, engorgement occurs because of poor milk drainage, probably related to nipple trauma with resultant swelling and compression of one or more milk ducts. Generally, one considers mastitis as a possibility if at least two of the following are present.
- the lactating mother has a fever,
- lumpiness in the breast associated with pain & tenderness,
- erythema of the overlying skin, or
- a tense breast that continues to remain tense following breastfeeding.
It may be a good idea to consult your GP for an initial assessment examination of the breasts, body temperature, etc. A total WBC count may show polymorphonuclear leucocytosis in cases of mastitis.