About Mammogram

I've had 2 mammograms so far in the last 3 yrs. (A lump was found in my right breast - benign though :) ) anyway.... I'm on the large side - breast wise - and it was just uncomfortable.. It is awkward to be standing there half naked and letting someone else touch your breasts and put you in position. Its not all that painful - just uncomfortable (at least I thought so).

I don't know how large your breasts are, though it shouldn't be that painful for anyone. If it is unbearably painful, then something is wrong- at least I think so.

Just remember not to wear deoderant on the day of your exam :)

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I don't think it's painful. It's like a LOT of other procedures; if you are tense it can hurt, if you relax, it doesn't hurt.

I have also heard that it's easier for larger breasted women. I can imagine it would be trickier getting an A cup between the plates well enough for an accurate reading.

I go every year, have since age 38, and my radiologist and I chat the whole time about our kids. Liking her helps a lot, too!

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Hi G.,

I have been getting mammograms since my mid-early 30's and I am 43 now. They have never been painful in my experience, but they have been a little uncomfortable and awkward.
My last mammogram was at Advanced Radiology in Trumbull. I found the whole staff there very nice and kind. To do the actual mammogram, the Radiologist will pull the breast out and squish it between two plates to take the x-ray. They have to get several views for each breast and for some views they do have to contort you and your breast into awkward positions (for some of the positions, I do feel a little pinched). For me, they usually want 4-5 views for each breast and each x-ray takes 2-4 minutes. Most of that time is for the Radiologist to get you in the correct position. The actual x-ray only takes a couple of seconds.

After the mammogram, I also get an ultrasound of my breasts and that is very relaxing and easy.

Getting a Mammogram is probably not any womans favorite thing to do, but it shouldn't be painful and it is a very important to protect your health.

I hope the info helps and good luck,
B.

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I just had one.Its uncomfortable depending upon the size of your breasts but just for a brief momentbut it didnt last for long .

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Dear G.,
Good for you for getting this done!, It's really no big deal, its a little embarrassing and the pain lasts for a couple of minutes because they rest your breast on a little shelf and another plate goes on top to squeeze it so they can take a picture, maybe your machine will be different but the pain is small considering it may save a life. Just remember that as your gritting your teeth! Good luck.

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It's not painful, people exaggerate and emails poke fun of the entire process. I have very dense breasts and if it doesnt hurt me ...
A shot hurts more, for heavens sake, you gave birth!
Dont' worry and go with it!

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They are not painful just awkward. You have to put your body up close to a machine and sometimes twist a little this way and that. The pressure on my breasts has never hurt. If the plates are too high or low say something to the technician. Be open and honest with them. They can't tell what you are feeling. Good luck - hope all goes well!

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Hi G.,

I had my last Mammogram in July. Honestly, I think the anticipation of the test is worse than the actual test. It is uncomfortable but not the agonizing ,painful experience some talk about. I think if your breasts are tender due to your menstral cycle it will hurt more, but if you normally don't have a low pain threshold it won't be that bad. The test itself doesn't take long so you aren't squished for an extended period of time.. a couple of minutes for each breast is all it took when they did mine.

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G., I think it's only uncomfortable if you have small chest. They have to put what you have on the shelf like device, so if it's small they'll be some stretching to make it happen. I had one done a year ago, and was not at all painful.

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Hi G.,

Like you, I was nervous about having a mammogram my first time. The first time was uncomfortable but not painful. I had a second which was the same. I have large dense breasts so I was expecting it to hurt but fortunately, I just felt pressure. The way it works is your breasts are placed one at a time by a technician between two plates and the technician compresses together the plates. The most uncomfortable part is when they compress them close together and ask you to hold your breath for about 5 seconds while they take the mammography picture. Then they quickly release the plates. The exam doesn't last too long which helps as well... maybe 5-10 minutes tops. I hope this information helps you better understand what to expect. I wish you the best of luck with your mammogram.

D.

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I have had several and for me they are not painful at all. The reason why they reccomend abstaining from caffeine just prior to mammo is because it makes your breasts more tender. So if you are the least bit sensitive, heed their advice. The pain of not drinking coffee for 48 hours is far more painful for me than the boob squisher. Good luck!

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Hi G.,
Just had one...I don't think its a big deal at all. Its just a little akward being exposed in different positions. I hear others say there was discomfort but i have never had a problem with it. Just roll with it what else can you do lol. Good luck
D.

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I had a mammogram about two years ago. I had heard so many horror stories about them, so I was surprised that it wasn't painful, just uncomfortable. It was also so reassuring to get a good "Baseline" to compare to future mammograms. Good luck!

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Hi, G. --

I've had annual mammograms done for the past eight years and while it's uncomfortable it's not painful, and the discomfort only lasts for the few seconds it takes for the technician to take the x-ray. Your breasts have to be compressed in order to get as complete an image of your breast tissue as possible, which naturally causes some discomfort. But it's never excruciating and you won't come away from the experience thinking, "Never again!" Given the rising incidence of breast cancer, it behooves you to have the mammo done.

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Its unconfortable, but not really painful. Basically you lean into a machine and lay your breast on little table (the machine rotates to make it easier, and the tech will help you do that. Then another flat table goes over the top, and the press out your breast for imaging. If your breasts are too dense, they follow up with an ultrasound. It's not as bad as it seems, but do not skip the appointment. They caught an early tumor with mine on my first visit, and I had to have it removed. It was not cancerous, thank god, but am I ever glad I did it.

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G.,

I heard it was very painfull too. I had to have one done last year because I had a cist in my one breast. I was so scared by what people told me. It did not hurt at all on my one breast, and the only reason it hurt my othe one was because it was right on the cist that I had. Maybe it has to do with size maybe i am not sure but It didnt bother me. Hope all goes well.

D.

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Hi G., Mammograms are uncomfortable but I wouldn't say they are painful in the pain sense. You can bare it for the few seconds that each picture needs to be taken. Some women make everything sound like it's the end of the world. It's not my favorite thing to do but I do it every year because being here is more important then worrying about the uncomfortable feeling that a quick mammogram will take. Don't worry about it and get yourself all keyed up, it's really not all that bad. Good luck. D. S

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Definitely not painful; uncomfortable yes. However, it's only for a few seconds. Don't be scared, it will be alright.

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