Do mammograms hurt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its my understanding that the pain is less about the size of your breasts, but the density. I have small but dense breasts. Its sore when they smoosh them but I'd rather do that than go to the dentist!

I have extremely dense small breasts and have never had pain, I just always marvel how medieval looking the whole thing is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know where I can get one without a primary care doctor? I happen not have be right now and places will not let me schedule (even though I do not need a referral insurance wise).

Yes I should find a PCP but so many are charging annual fees and I usually go once. It's easier to use Urgent Care

Try Community Radiology. They keep calling me to schedule and I don’t need a doctor’s order.

My GYN prescribes these.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I swear to G-d that if men had needed a similar test for their nether appendage they’d have figured out a solution much earlier.

100%. Can you imagine if men had to have testicle exams like a mammo???

That side, I find it uncomfortable but not too bad. Easiest checkup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, it hurts like a MF~er and I cry. I have AA boobs so I think it’s just all glands and stuff they are smashing, not fat tissue. I also have dense breast tissue throughout so I always get the note that says it’s basically worthless. And yet I still do it.

I have white boobs and 100% experience the same thing. It is a form of torture.

She was referring to size. AA is a size. Not the color of them.

Ty for this….i was really trying to understand why PP thought the color of the boobs mattered!

I read it as African American first too! lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it hurts like a MF~er and I cry. I have AA boobs so I think it’s just all glands and stuff they are smashing, not fat tissue. I also have dense breast tissue throughout so I always get the note that says it’s basically worthless. And yet I still do it.

I used to have AA (before perimenopause) and I had the same experience. I almost passed out. OP if you're small, take the advice I wished I had beforehand: take an Ibuprofen before going. If you're not small, it doesn't hurt much at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, it hurts like a MF~er and I cry. I have AA boobs so I think it’s just all glands and stuff they are smashing, not fat tissue. I also have dense breast tissue throughout so I always get the note that says it’s basically worthless. And yet I still do it.

Here is the answer I've been hoping for (I'm not OP), thanks! I'm also tiny-boobed and don't really understand how they would have anything to smoosh. I'm 44 and haven't done it yet because I'm scared of exactly what you describe.

No. I have tiny, very dense breasts and it doesn't hurt at all. But as has been advised, you need to time it for your follicular phase and take a pain relief 30 minutes before just in case. If you do it in the second half of your cycle, your breasts swell and are a lot more sensitive to pain.

[Anonymous]

There are tricks. Look up when in your menstrual cycle it's best to have them for future reference. see if they allow you to take acetaminophen 30 minutes before. Also, the number one trick the best tech ever gave me is relax your body. I kept tensing up and she kept reminding me which part needed to be relaxed and if I didn't relax that shoulder/arm it would be painful. With her I have no pain, just mild discomfort because I take the over the counter pain med before, schedule by my cycle and follow her advice regarding relaxing muscles.

[Anonymous]

I found the squishing tolerable for years until i had a known cyst - the pain was enough to make me also black out. Not sure why ultrasounds, which are more effective in detecting issues are not the standard.

[Anonymous]

They are so awkward. But not painful. But I hate the whole pressing and grabbing and squishing thing and also I get sweaty and you can't wear deodorant so then im anxious that im too sweaty and it gets worse. I seriously despise them but its not painful.

Also my sister passed out twice, and now does them sitting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, it hurts like a MF~er and I cry. I have AA boobs so I think it’s just all glands and stuff they are smashing, not fat tissue. I also have dense breast tissue throughout so I always get the note that says it’s basically worthless. And yet I still do it.

I used to have AA (before perimenopause) and I had the same experience. I almost passed out. OP if you're small, take the advice I wished I had beforehand: take an Ibuprofen before going. If you're not small, it doesn't hurt much at all.

DDD with dense breasts and yes, it hurts. At least it's over quickly.

[Anonymous]

For me yes it has felt painful, but like others have said, it’s a very short period of time and then it’s done. It’s worth it and then you are off to do whatever else you need that day.