Anatomical terminology
The human areola (areola mammae,/?ˈriː?l?/ or /æriˈo?l?/) is the pigmentedarea on the breast around the nipple. Areola, moregenerally, is a small circular area on the body with a differenthistology from the surrounding tissue, or other small circularareas such as an inflamed region of skin.The theory behind nipple stimulation is that itmimics breast-feeding and causes sensory cells in thenipples to signal the brain to release oxytocin. Some womenuse a breast pump to stimulate thenipples.
The breasts are specialised organs, which are located onthe anterior chest wall. The female breast is moredeveloped than the male breast, as their primaryfunction is to produce milk for nutrition of the infant andbaby.
A woman's menstrual cycle causes hormone fluctuations inestrogen and progesterone. These two hormones can cause a woman'sbreasts to feel swollen, lumpy, and sometimes painful.Women sometimes report that this pain gets worse as they getolder due to increased sensitivity to hormones as a womanages.
Squeezing or pinching the breast ornipple won't cause breast cancer either. It may causebruising and swelling to the breast, which can betender or painful to touch. Sometimes an injury can lead toa benign (not cancer) lump known as fat necrosis.
Most female breast pain results from hormonalchanges. Estrogen and progesterone can actually increase the sizeand number of ducts and milk glands in your breasts. Thiscauses the breasts to swell and retain water. A few daysbefore your period starts, both breasts can swell and becometender, painful, or even lumpy.
Breast enlargement is usually caused by an imbalance ofestrogen (female hormone) and testosterone (male hormone). Maleshave both types of hormones in their body. Changes in thelevels of these hormones, or in how the body uses or responds tothese hormones, can cause enlarged breasts in males.
The Let-Down. Each time baby begins to nurse thenerves in your breast send signals that release the milk in yourmilk ducts. This let down reflex usually happens after yourbaby has been sucking the breast for about two minutes. Some womenfeel this let-down reflex as a tingling or awarmth.
Hormonal changes, breast expansion, and increasedblood flow may cause a woman to experience itchy nipplesduring pregnancy. A woman may also experience nipplesoreness, tingling, sensitivity, andbreast-heaviness. Apply lotion or petroleum jelly to thenipples after showering, especially in the morning andevening.
Swelling occurs because of the hormonal changeshappening in your body. They can cause the breasts tofeel heavy, achy, and tender. Your breasts might alsoappear larger than usual. If you have breast swelling andheaviness accompanied by a late period, then you may want toconsider taking a pregnancy test.
A lump in your breast or underarm that doesn't goaway after your period. This is often the first symptom ofbreast cancer. Lumps associated with breast cancer areusually painless, although some may cause a pricklysensation. Lumps are usually visible on a mammogram longbefore you can see or feel them.
Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your rightarm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of yourfingers around your right breast gently in small circularmotions covering the entire breast area and armpit. Uselight, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; checkfor discharge and lumps.
Breast tenderness is often one of the earliestsymptoms of pregnancy. According to the National Instituteof Child Health and Human Development, women may have sore, heavy,or tingly breasts as early as 1 to 2 weeks afterconception. The nipples may also feel sensitive or even painfulto touch.
