Does a mammogram hurt?!


Question: Mammograms should not be painful. They can be uncomfortable for some women, and other women aren't at all bothered by the exam. If you are tender breasted, you might feel more discomfort. Make your appointment for after you have started your menstrual period, when the breasts are the least tender. Caffeine also makes tender breasts more tender for many women, so consider limiting your intake (coffee, tea, chocolate) for a few days prior to a mammogram. I do not recommend avoiding caffeine if you are prone to headaches when you go without.

Size of the breasts have nothing to do with the level of discomfort. Both small and large breasts can be tender. We don't compress the breasts to a magical number. A large breast might be compressed until the breast measures 6 cm thick. A small breast could be compressed until it measures 3 cm. So, in this case, size does not matter!

Now, lets assume that mammographic exams are VERY painful, for arguments sake. A routine, screening mammogram consists of 4 images....2 views on each breast. The total time of compression for those 4 images is about 45 seconds. I can do anything for 45 seconds, especially if those 45 seconds can greatly impact my future and my quality of life. Sounds like a small price to pay, doesn't it?


I get very upset with women who spread the misconception that mammograms are so extremely painful. They are scaring other women badly enough that some women are not having mammograms. I had a patient a few years ago, who came in for her first mammogram because she had a huge lump in her breast. You could tell, without the mammograms, that she had an advanced breast cancer. Her skin was red and nipple was inverted....her breast looked angry. She had known about this lump for over two years, but never went for a mammogram, because her "friends" had told her how painful they were. A day later, we did a CT scan of her head, chest, abdomen and pelvis, and her breast cancer had spread to her liver and brain. She was dead within a couple of weeks. I guarantee that pain was nothing what is experienced with a mammogram. With friends like that, who needs enemies, right?


Answers: Mammograms should not be painful. They can be uncomfortable for some women, and other women aren't at all bothered by the exam. If you are tender breasted, you might feel more discomfort. Make your appointment for after you have started your menstrual period, when the breasts are the least tender. Caffeine also makes tender breasts more tender for many women, so consider limiting your intake (coffee, tea, chocolate) for a few days prior to a mammogram. I do not recommend avoiding caffeine if you are prone to headaches when you go without.

Size of the breasts have nothing to do with the level of discomfort. Both small and large breasts can be tender. We don't compress the breasts to a magical number. A large breast might be compressed until the breast measures 6 cm thick. A small breast could be compressed until it measures 3 cm. So, in this case, size does not matter!

Now, lets assume that mammographic exams are VERY painful, for arguments sake. A routine, screening mammogram consists of 4 images....2 views on each breast. The total time of compression for those 4 images is about 45 seconds. I can do anything for 45 seconds, especially if those 45 seconds can greatly impact my future and my quality of life. Sounds like a small price to pay, doesn't it?


I get very upset with women who spread the misconception that mammograms are so extremely painful. They are scaring other women badly enough that some women are not having mammograms. I had a patient a few years ago, who came in for her first mammogram because she had a huge lump in her breast. You could tell, without the mammograms, that she had an advanced breast cancer. Her skin was red and nipple was inverted....her breast looked angry. She had known about this lump for over two years, but never went for a mammogram, because her "friends" had told her how painful they were. A day later, we did a CT scan of her head, chest, abdomen and pelvis, and her breast cancer had spread to her liver and brain. She was dead within a couple of weeks. I guarantee that pain was nothing what is experienced with a mammogram. With friends like that, who needs enemies, right?

No, just real aggravating.

They put your boob between two metal plates squeeze it until they can get a picture. There is some discomfort. But no pain

No, a mammogram should not be painful. It will be slightly uncomfortable when the technician applies the pressure to the breasts for the x-ray, take a breath and breathe out slowly.

A large breasted woman typically has less discomfort than a small breasted one due simply to the size and ability to see more of the breast tissue between the compression "paddles" for the x-ray.

Before I had my first mammo, I heard all the horror stories about how painful it was. Then when I actually had one, I thought this can't be the same thing they were talking about. It is not painful at all - if you're premenstrual and your breasts are sensitive, it can be a little uncomfortable but it's basically just pulling it up a little and flattening it out a little. For the few moments of discomfort, you get a lot of peace of mind so it's definitely worth it.

to me a mammogram does hurt. but my technician is a dip stick. if yours is really good you should not feel any pain. but for your health it is worth it. good luck. be safe. :-)

It can be pretty darn uncomfortable but I wouldn't say painful. And at least it is over shortly, unlike getting a paper cut that is painful for days.

If you have anxiety about getting one be sure to tell the technician that you have a low threshold of pain or are otherwise uncomfortable. My experience (so far!) is that the techs are caring and sympathetic.

(Ignore the male nickname; I am a woman who has had to face that machine several times)

Noi but it is a lot of pressure. It has to do with having your breast compressed together from top and bottom at a variety of angles. If they stand up its not bad but if they sag already It shouldn't make too much diffrence.

It is somewhat painful but more uncomfortable then anything First timers are more nervous then anything. like the other answerer said, it is worth it in the long run!





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