So I have a bit of background to go into, but the main question is can stress cause breast tenderness?
I have found a lump in my breast, which I got checked out, and some ultrasounds and stuff, my doctor said he didn't think it was anything to worry about. I mentioned the tenderness to my doctor, and, aside from asking if I was pregnant, didn't really address it. The thing is, it's not just the lump that is painful; it's the most of both breasts, around the upper outer parts.
I don't think I am pregnant. This pain is kinda off and on. It started in October, I think, and was basically nonexistant the week after my period. After that, it kinda has a build up, becoming increasingly painful, until my period. It stopped while I was on Christmas break and most of this semester. It's just begun again this past month. I have a very regular 30-31 day cycle, about down to the day. I am not on birth control. I am sexually active, but we are religious about using both a condom and the Today sponge. A few weeks ago, I went to the gyno, and when he was checking out my internal goods, he didn't say anything, although he never asked if I was sexually active. Plus, I got really worried in December about it, and took an at home pregnancy test. My pee wasn't much but it was super concentrated, so the test wasn't under the stream for the alotted time. It was negative. Plus, I've noticed that the pain tends to be during the times when I am most stressed.
Given these, I can only come to one conclusion: that this is caused by stress, and I was wondering if anybody else has experienced this, and if there was any way to help it.
I'm in a very stressful situation right now. I graduate in 3 1/2 weeks, and I'm a 7-12 math education major, interning. My supervising teacher is crazy. She and the requirements of my degree are really getting to me now that it's crunch time and I have to get everything done. Plus, our students are cramming for the end of course exams, so that's putting additional strain on us.
Thanks a bunch. I feel better just typing all this out, and I must say, I've been a lurker for a while, and you ladies are AWESOME!