Many women experience breast pain or tenderness a few days before their menstrual period. This condition, known as cyclical breast pain (cyclical mastalgia), is one of the most common premenstrual symptoms and is usually linked to natural hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. Although breast discomfort can be worrying, it is often a normal and temporary condition that improves once menstruation begins.
Understanding why breast pain occurs before your period can help you manage the symptoms effectively and know when medical evaluation may be necessary.
What is Breast Pain Before Period?
Mastodynia and mastalgia are the medical terms for breast pain. Women often complain that they have pain before menstruation. Pain in the breast before menstruation is normal. If the pain increases, then you should visit the doctor. Breast pain is cyclic and non-cyclic.
Cyclic Breast Pain
Breast pain in young females before maturation is a cyclic type of pain. Generally, cyclic pain is present in both breasts. The pain usually radiates toward the armpit or arm. This type of pain is usually seen in the middle of the menstrual cycle (14 days before periods). This period is the ovulation period, in which the egg is prepared for possible pregnancy.
The pain disappears after the end of the period. No need to take medication for this pain. Sometimes pain in the breast may be associated with secretion also.
Is the secretion normal??
Sometime little amount of secretion is also present in cyclic breast pain. This type of secretion is normal if the secretion is non-milky and clear, or white or yellow-greenish; then consider it normal.
Why cyclic breast pain?
Pain is due to fluctuations in hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. Both of them can cause pain in the breast.
In the middle of menstruation cycle (during the ovulation period or 14 days before periods), the estrogen and progesterone level is at peak that cause breast pain. Progesteronee also helps with fluid retention, so due to fluid retention that will lead to heaviness in the breasts as well as breast pain.
Why Do Breasts Hurt Before Period
The reason why breasts hurt before period is because of hormonal changes.
After ovulation, the amount of female hormones increases in order to prepare the uterus for fertilized egg implantation.
The increase in estrogen and progesterone causes the following:
- Milk ducts swell
- Breast glands enlarge
- Fluid retention in the breast
- Nerves in the breasts become more sensitive
These changes can make breasts tender and sore until the hormone levels start to drop off during the period.
Common Symptoms of Cyclical Breast Pain
Common symptoms associated with cyclical breast pain can include:
- Breast tenderness
- Swelling
- Heaviness in the breasts
- Pain, ranging from mild to moderately severe
- Pain radiating towards the armpits
- Sensitivity to touch
- Lumpiness that tends to occur as a normal part of the menstrual cycle
How you can examine your breast.
Every month, the female should examine their breast. The breast examination can be done during bathing and sleeping time. You can examine your breast while standing, sitting, and in th supine position as well.
Method of breast.(BSE-Breast Self Exam)
- Look at the minor and raise your hand/arm. Or you can put your hand on your wrist. Carefully look at your breast.
- Put your right hand on your left breast, then start palpating your breast clockwise or anti-clockwise.
- Start from the upper lateral area and then go clockwise and examine your breast.
Who is more likely to experience breast pain?
The pain occurs more often in women between the ages of 20 and 50 years who still have their periods. It may also be frequent in women who
- have premenstrual syndrome,
- fibrocystic breasts,
- hormonal imbalances
- are subject to stress,
- or who consume a lot of caffeine (although the link between caffeine intake and breast pain is not entirely clear, some women find that it helps to reduce breast pain by limiting caffeine).
In which case visit a doctor?
You should visit a doctor if
- Pain becomes severe and increases day by day. You should visit the doctor.
- If secretion increases in amount and is bloody secretion, then visit the doctor.
- Any mass found on examination
- Family history of breast or other cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in females.
Treatment of breast pain:
- There is no medication is required for cyclic breast pain.
- NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and Paracetamol can be taken if pain is intolerable.
- Oral contraceptive medication can help to relieve the breast pain.
- EPO and Vitamin E capsules also good effect on breast pain
How to get rid of breast pain before periods
Most cases of cyclical breast pain can be managed by making a few simple changes to your daily life.
Wear a supportive bra.
It can help reduce movement of your breasts, which may cause less discomfort during physical activities.
Apply warm or cold compresses.
It can help reduce pain and swelling, depending on what works best for you. You can alternate between warm and cold compresses or try one of them.
Eat a healthy diet
Eating healthy food such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and other foods that are good for you may help. It is advisable to limit highly processed foods and salty foods.
Exercise regularly
Exercise can help regulate hormones and promote overall health, reducing the risk factors for many diseases.
Drink lots of water
It can reduce bloating and promote well-being.
Take pain relievers if needed.
Your doctor may recommend some pain relievers to help with the discomfort, so it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if the pain persists or becomes severe.
Author: zaara Liaquat, MD, sunyatsen university