Breast pain can have a variety of causes ranging from minor to potentially serious. If you experience severe breast pain while rowing, cease activity immediately and visit your doctor. The rowing can be causing or aggravating your pain in some cases, but the pain can be unrelated, as well.
Mastalgia
The most common cause of breast pain in women is a condition known as mastalgia. It usually is caused by hormonal fluctuation, frequently due to menopause, PMS or pregnancy, and may be cyclical based on these hormone variations. It usually is not a serious condition and does not indicate the presence of breast cancer. If the pain is seriously uncomfortable, your doctor may recommend a different type of birth control medication or simply a better fitting bra, if necessary.
Pulled Muscle
Physical exercise such as rowing -- especially exercise beyond your normal workout -- can cause muscle soreness. The breast technically does not contain muscle; however, there are muscles in the chest behind the breast. Some muscle pain is normal after exercise and is not a cause for concern; it will diminish gradually as your body strengthens. However, muscle overuse can lead to a pull or strain. Most of the time, these injuries need only over-the-counter pain medication along with ice for the first one to three days and heat thereafter, according to MedlinePlus. If the pain does not go away shortly, you should visit your doctor.
Heart Attack
If the pain in your chest feels as if it is running down one side of your shoulder, arm or neck -- especially on the left side of your body -- and is accompanied by a crushing or tight feeling, you should get to the doctor as fast as possible. This can be a sign of a heart attack, according to PubMed Health. Although exercise is beneficial in reducing your heart attack risk, increasing your level of physical activity too suddenly can contribute to triggering a heart attack in individuals who already are at risk for one.
Breast Size
Women who have large breasts may notice occasional or constant breast pain that is not related to hormonal changes or other typical causes. Most of the time, the pain extends from the breasts to the back, shoulders or neck. This type of pain may be somewhat aggravated by the motion from rowing or other physical exercise. Your doctor may recommend breast reduction surgery to treat this type of breast pain.
