Breast pain, aka ‘mastalgia’, accounts for nearly half of all breast-related complaints. However, before you start jumping to dire conclusions (breast cancer!), please read this.

If you’re suffering from pain, tenderness or increased sensitivity to touch or pressure in one or both of your breasts, we can understand that you’re probably terrified and imagining the worst.

Ergo, let’s get a few facts straight first. Breast pain alone isn’t usually an indicator of breast cancer; and, according to experts, it is much more likely that tender, aching breasts could be caused by something else.

The following are 5 very likely reasons why you’re experiencing pain, or even increased sensitivity, in your breasts: