Chest pain right side below breast male

Costochondritis is inflammation where your ribs join the bone in the middle of your chest (breastbone). It can cause sharp chest pain, especially when moving or breathing. It usually gets better on its own over time.

Check if you have costochondritis

Costochondritis may cause sharp pain in the front or side of your chest.

The pain may be worse when:

  • moving your upper body
  • lying down
  • breathing deeply
  • you press the middle of your chest

Urgent advice: Get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you think you have costochondritis

It is important to get chest pain checked to rule out other more serious conditions.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

You have sudden chest pain that:

  • spreads to your arms, back, neck, or jaw
  • makes your chest feel tight or heavy
  • started with a shortness of breath, sweating, feeling sick or being sick
  • lasts more than 15 minutes

You could be having a heart attack. Call 999 immediately as you need immediate treatment in hospital.

Treatments for costochondritis

Costochondritis usually gets better on its own, over time. It can last for a few weeks to several months.

Painkillers that help with inflammation, like ibuprofen, may be recommended to help with the pain.

If you have very bad pain that does not get better over time, you may be offered a steroid injection to help reduce inflammation or local anaesthetic to ease the pain.

Causes of costochondritis

It is not always known what causes costochondritis, but it may be caused by:

  • an injury to your chest
  • repetitive upper body movements, like lifting
  • coughing a lot

Sometimes it may be caused by a problem with the joints in the back, or another underlying condition like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.

It can also be caused by an infection.

Page last reviewed: 26 July 2022
Next review due: 26 July 2025

Breast cancer is quite common among American women, so when breast pain occurs, it can be alarming. Let us put you at ease, however, because tenderness or pain in under the right breast is not always a sign of a serious problem. In fact, breast pain is not usually a sign of breast cancer.

Chest pain right side below breast male

If you are experiencing pain under your right breast, don’t panic–just come to FastMed. We provide treatment for injuries and illnesses that don’t require a trip to the emergency room.

Pain under Your Right Breast?

So, what could be causing that pain under the right breast?

  • Puberty in girls (and sometimes boys)
  • Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Pregnancy
  • Days following childbirth
  • Menopause

If the pain under your right breast is affecting your chest more than the breast itself, it could be caused by other conditions, such as indigestion or gall bladder infection. Indigestion can, due to acid refluxes, cause a burning sensation in the right side of your chest. Gallbladder infections are caused by an inflammation of the gallbladder and typically cause a sharp pain the stomach or right side of the chest.

Come to FastMed if you are experiencing pain under your right breast along with any of the following symptoms:

  • Bloody or clear nipple discharge
  • Persistent, unexplained breast pain
  • Signs of a breast infection (local redness, pus, or fever)
  • A new lump with the onset of pain
  • Pain could be due to indigestion or gallbladder troubles

If you are experiencing pain under your right breast, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible and determine the cause. Early diagnosis of pain under your right breast can prevent the development of more serious complications.

FastMed walk-in clinics are open with extended hours 365 days a year. We are a fast, affordable, and reliable alternative to the emergency room when non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries strike.

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Why does the right side of my chest hurt under my breast?

Pain under the right breast is rarely a cause for concern and often results from muscles strains or minor injuries. However, it can indicate a more serious condition, such as an infection, chest inflammation, or a gastrointestinal issue.
The possible underlying conditions associated with pain under the right breast are similar to pain under the left breast, with some exceptions. For example, the right side isn't as closely associated with heart attacks. This is because the heart is a little more on the left side and center of the chest.

How do you relieve chest pain on the right side?

Treatment.
Artery relaxers. Nitroglycerin — usually taken as a tablet under the tongue — relaxes heart arteries, so blood can flow more easily through the narrowed spaces. ... .
Aspirin. ... .
Thrombolytic drugs. ... .
Blood thinners. ... .
Acid-suppressing medications. ... .
Antidepressants..