WomenCare WNY » Ask Us Anything » Do Mammograms Hurt?
Question:
"I've got an appointment coming up for my first one ever, and I've gotta ask. Do mammograms hurt?"
Answer:
While not designed to be painful, for some women mammograms are uncomfortable.
For many women, they are quick, pain-free and easy.
If you are tender breasted, you might feel more discomfort. New technology, including digital mammography, takes even shorter periods of time to obtain the results, and because of the clearer picture, the need to retake a mammogram is reduced.
To help ease your body in preparing for a mammogram, try to 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 some women, so consider limiting your intake (coffee, tea, chocolate) for a few days prior to a mammogram.
