Just had my first mammogram combined with ultrasound for soreness in right armpit last month. All looks good. But now this month, left armpit sore with some swelling. Feels internal, not skin. Age 44 female. Is this just hormonal stuff? It ocurrs right before ovulation and lasted about a week last time.
Any ideas?

Mine do that all the time. When I went to the doctor they usually just order antiflammatory medicine. I've even had lumps occur. I think with mine, it's usually a sign I'm coming down with a virus of some sort, it can be very painful and takes a few days to get over. I have had a full hysto, so mine wasn't related to hormones. Just when I felt run down, this would occur.

One condition that's not rare is ectopic breast tissue, meaning breast tissue in a location away from the breast. It most commonly occurs in the armpits. It didn't just happen, it's been there since birth; but some women don't start having symptoms til they're older, at a time when fibrocystic changes begin to occur, namely 30's and 40's. Pain before the period is pretty typical. It's harmless per se, but breast tissue in any location can have the problems of breast tissue in the normal location. In some cases when it's really bothersome, it makes sense to have it removed, which, as operations go, is not a very big deal. You might ask your doctor if she/he thinks that's what's going on.

Thank you, Dr. Sid, I have been wondering about this for 35 years!

Catty

I was told by a breast surgeon that whatever weakness a woman had during her life since puberty, that weakness can become exaggerated (intensified) during change of life. What is really needed--in addition to monthly breast exams, annual mammos, and GYN exams--is a good book or two on pre-menopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal bodily changes to expect. May the stingy suffer . . . hysteria!