Breast pain: why do my breasts hurt during my period?

Breast pain before your period? Most people around you will tell you it's a perfectly normal symptom at that time of the month and that all women experience it. Which isn't always entirely true!

Yes, it's normal for breasts to feel more sensitive and even slightly painful during menstruation. In some women the pain eases with age; in others it doesn't.

However, if the pain becomes so severe that you can no longer wear a bra, you feel discomfort with every movement, or other signs of infection appear, that is NOT normal — symptoms like these shouldn't be ignored or simply accepted as a given. As women, we need to know about these things, so here's why breasts hurt during your period and when you should be concerned.

What is menstrual breast pain?

Mastodynia or mastalgia — the medical terms for breast pain — covers any form of discomfort in the breast area, from heightened sensitivity and a feeling of tightness through to stabbing, pulling or even burning pain.

The discomfort can occur in one or both breasts, particularly during menstruation in women of childbearing age, and is often a mild pain that passes quickly, with no cause for concern.

In such situations it makes sense to avoid tight clothing and opt for looser garments so that your breasts feel comfortable — just as it makes sense to use only pads and tampons made from 100% organic cotton, to protect the comfort and health of your intimate area.

Causes of breast pain before and during menstruation

Medicine has yet to establish a definitive cause for why so many women experience breast tenderness during menstruation without any underlying condition or obvious health problem. What is certain, however, is that the main factors influencing these symptoms have been identified:

• Hormonal fluctuations: The drop in oestrogen and progesterone levels during menstruation, particularly in the luteal phase, is associated with increased breast sensitivity and pain. These same fluctuations can cause mild swelling of the lymph nodes, which in turn can contribute to breast pain. If the pain is worse on one side, it may be because the cells in each breast respond differently to hormonal fluctuations.
• Fluid retention: The body retaining water is itself a menstrual symptom and can additionally affect breast sensitivity.
• Ovulation: Breast pain before your period can also occur during ovulation, roughly 12–14 days before menstruation begins.
• Prolactin: This hormone stimulates milk production after childbirth, but it is present in the body anyway and can affect breast sensitivity even in women who haven't recently given birth.
• Other factors: Diet, stress and lifestyle affect all symptoms during and before menstruation, including the intensity of abdominal cramps and breast pain. A diet with excessive fat intake, for example, can lead to an imbalance of fatty acids that increases breast sensitivity.

Of course, other causes may also be at play when breast pain occurs independently of your cycle — injuries or lesions, for instance. So if the pain is distressing or persistent, it's always a good idea to speak to a doctor.

When is breast pain normal?

If the breast pain presents more as heightened sensitivity and stays at the level of mild discomfort without disrupting your life, it can be a perfectly normal symptom during phases of hormonal fluctuation.

The phases in which oestrogen and progesterone levels change significantly and breast pain is normal are:

• In the premenstrual phase (when oestrogen and progesterone levels fall)
• During menstruation (particularly in the first few days, when hormone levels are still low)
• During ovulation (when you're in your fertile window and your ovaries release an egg, around 2 weeks before menstruation begins)
• In the first trimester of pregnancy (alongside a missed period, breast pain is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, when oestrogen stimulates the growth of the mammary glands; if you'd like to know more about the changes the body goes through in each trimester over the course of pregnancy, read our article on pregnancy development week by week)
• During perimenopause (in this transitional phase, oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate unpredictably and increase breast sensitivity)
• During menopause (it's estimated that 40% of menopausal women have tender or painful breasts — alongside many other typical symptoms we've discussed HERE).
• During puberty (breast development is one of the signs of puberty in girls and is usually accompanied by tenderness and discomfort)
• When using hormonal contraception (it's entirely normal for the hormonal changes triggered by contraceptives to cause breast tenderness and mild discomfort. However, if the pain is severe, speak to your doctor about the possibility of choosing another effective method of contraception).

Types of breast pain

What we generally refer to as breast pain can be divided medically into several types. A distinction can be made between:

• Cyclical and non-cyclical pain, depending on how it relates to the menstrual cycle
  • Cyclical pain: This frequently affects women of reproductive age, occurs regularly in the premenstrual phase as a symptom of premenstrual syndrome, and continues during menstruation, as it is linked to hormonal fluctuations. In general, cyclical pain affects both breasts equally.
  • Non-cyclical pain: This isn't linked to the hormonal fluctuations that govern the menstrual cycle but can be caused by many other factors, including certain conditions that may require further investigation. Non-cyclical pain can affect both breasts, just one breast, or only one particular area.
• Moderate and severe pain, depending on intensity
  • Moderate pain can be normal, particularly when the body is undergoing hormonal fluctuations (during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause).
  • Severe pain that prevents you from getting on with daily life, or that persists for many days in a row, is not normal and may indicate an infection or a more serious condition — in this case an examination by a specialist is necessary.

Symptoms that accompany breast pain

Breast pain can manifest as quite different forms of discomfort. It may be nothing more than heightened sensitivity, or it may be a sharp stabbing sensation. Here are the main symptoms through which breast pain can present:

• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Nipple tenderness
• Dull ache, a feeling of pressure, or stabbing pain
• Swelling and an increase in breast volume
• Changes in breast texture (a lumpy feel or increased density)
• A feeling of tightness in the breast tissue
• Pain radiating into the armpit, arm, back or neck
• Discomfort when wearing a bra or during physical activity

Depending on its relationship to the menstrual cycle, the pain may be cyclical (linked to menstruation) or non-cyclical (linked to other factors). It can also be unilateral (one breast only) or bilateral (both breasts), and may last anywhere from a few days to one or several weeks.

When to see a doctor

Moderate, short-lived breast pain isn't a cause for concern, particularly during phases such as menstruation or menopause. You should, however, see a doctor as soon as possible if:

• the breast pain lasts longer than a few weeks
• the pain is so severe that it prevents you from getting on with daily life (including during menstruation)
• you notice new lumps or have painful lumps
• you have nipple discharge that smells unusual or contains blood
• other signs of infection appear, such as redness of the breast area or a fever

Once you've described your symptoms, the doctor may carry out a breast examination, possibly supplemented by a mammogram or ultrasound.

Routine screening at age-appropriate intervals and in line with medical guidance is also important for the prevention and early detection of serious conditions such as breast cancer.

Remedies and treatments for breast pain during menstruation

The treatment used to relieve breast pain depends on the cause. For pain stemming from hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, there are both natural remedies and medicines available from the pharmacy. Below we set out the most readily accessible options:

Medication for breast pain

To relieve breast pain during menstruation, your doctor may recommend ibuprofen or other mild painkillers available from the pharmacy. Anti-inflammatory creams may also be recommended to reduce sensitivity.

Depending on the patient's medical circumstances, the doctor may also prescribe the contraceptive pill to restore hormonal balance, or a suitable antibiotic if an infection is also contributing to the pain.

Natural remedies for breast pain

Breast pain can also be eased naturally without pills, particularly when it's mild or moderate. Here are some simple things that can bring immediate relief:

• Wear a bra that doesn't dig in, and try different cup sizes until you find the most comfortable one.
• Choose a bra with good support to reduce unnecessary movement of the breasts.
• Use a heat patch or warm compresses to ease the pain with heat therapy.
• Apply a cold compress if you prefer cold therapy.
• Massage the painful areas of the breast to release the tension.

Lifestyle changes

Since everything to do with diet and lifestyle can affect your hormone levels and therefore your breast sensitivity, here are some habits that can help you reduce recurring pain before and during menstruation:

• Cut back on salt to avoid fluid retention.
• Talk to your doctor about possibly supplementing with vitamin E or vitamin B6 to ease breast pain.
• Ask your doctor whether you could try an evening primrose oil supplement — studies suggest that taking 3 g daily for 6 months can help reduce pain.
• Avoid intense HIIT sessions involving running and jumping if these make your discomfort worse.
• Opt for low-intensity workouts, which can boost blood circulation and ease the pain.

Relaxation techniques

Last but not least, stress is one of the factors that can trigger or worsen breast pain. You can try to ease it with relaxation and stress-management techniques, such as breathing exercises, yoga, or even therapies aimed at reducing the anxiety that accompanies breast and chest pain.

How to prevent breast pain

• general
• we discuss:
  • The role of hormonal balance and hormone health.
  • Emotional support and the influence of stress on the menstrual cycle.
  • Foods that support hormone health: foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, vegetables, flaxseed.

Looking after yourself properly and paying attention to your lifestyle is the best thing you can do for your long-term wellbeing.

Breast pain during menstruation usually occurs as a normal consequence of hormonal fluctuations, which you can do little to prevent, as they're entirely natural. The only thing you can do is take care of your hormonal balance and make choices that are as informed and responsible as possible:

• Eat as many natural foods as possible that support your hormone health, such as fibre-rich foods and those containing omega-3 fatty acids, vegetables, fruit and flaxseed.
• Stay active and do gentle workouts regularly.
• Get plenty of rest, look after your emotional balance and practise relaxation techniques, as stress has an enormous influence on hormone levels and the menstrual cycle.
• Learn to tell the difference between what's normal and what isn't, and see a doctor if you notice unusual signs or changes in your breasts — that's the only way to prevent the pain from worsening in good time.