Breast Pain and Your Menstrual Period

In younger women, breast pain is often linked to one's menstrual cycle. This kind of pain is called cyclical breast pain. The hormones that rise and fall during menstruation can cause breast tenderness, swelling, aches, and even tingling in your breast.

If your breasts are fibrocystic (noncancerous changes that give your breasts a lumpy or rope-like texture), you'll also notice lumps and bumps more easily during your menstrual period.

 What should you know about this pain and what can help make it better?

Your monthly menstrual cycle is determined by fluctuations in levels of estrogen and progesterone. These important hormones prepare your breasts and reproductive system for potential pregnancy. Sensations of breast tenderness may come from breast lobes and breast ducts enlarging around the time of ovulation.

Breast pain may be worse just before menstruation, and then gradually taper off during and after your period. For some women, breast pain persists constantly but varies in intensity as her cycle progresses. Cyclical breast pain is typically not a symptom of breast cancer. 

Breast cysts, fibrocystic changes, and breast fibroadenomas may also cause fluctuating pain, even though all of these are benign breast conditions. 

If you're worried about monthly breast pain and you're not sure whether or not it's related to your menstrual period, try keeping a breast pain chart. This chart will help clarify whether your breast pain is truly cyclical (vs. noncyclical), and narrow down the potential causes.

Breast pain can significantly impact quality of life, and seeing your doctor is a good idea both for a proper diagnosis, and to learn more about managing the discomfort. Your doctor may conduct a clinical breast exam, a mammogram, and/or an ultrasound study or MRI (if you have an increased risk of developing breast cancer).

While most often painless, breast cancer can be painful, and breast cancer in young women, though less common than in older women, does occur. Having a family history increases the risk, but it's important to remember that most women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.

The first step in treating your cyclic breast pain is to acknowledge that it is real. Some women feel that they are being oversensitive to complain about something that they may consider "normal." Yet breast pain can significantly interfere with your life, causing sexual, physical, and social problems. In one study, it was found that 30% of women with cyclic breast pain had pain they characterized as severe and which reduced their quality of life.

It's also important to note that you are not "doing anything wrong" to be suffering from cyclic breast pain. A 2018 study published in the European Journal of Breast Health set out to determine if their was a relationship between diet and breast pain associated with menstrual periods. There were no differences between women with breast pain and those without when it came to smoking status, birth control pill use, and alcohol and tea use. In regards to diet, the control group (the group that did not have breast pain) actually ate more fast food and desserts, drank more coffee, and exercised less.

A few of the alternative treatments that have been evaluated to some degree include evening primrose oil (gamolenic acid), vitex agnus, vitamin E, and vitamin B6.

A 2018 double-blinded randomized controlled study looked at the ability of camomile drops to improve cyclic breast pain. The supplement was found to be safe and well-tolerated as well as effective in reducing moderate cyclic breast pain.

Prescription medications which can be helpful include the topical anti-inflammatory medication Topricin (diclofenac). Some combination birth control pills may also help reduce menstrual-related breast pain (while others may increase pain). There are many potential combinations available, and you can work with your doctor to choose the one that works best for you based on your particular symptoms. Keep in mind that this sometimes requires trial and error, and it's not uncommon for women to try a few combinations before finding the one that is best for them.

For severe breast pain (mastalgia) related to periods, other options include the medications Parlodel (bromocriptine), Tamoxifen, or Danacrine (danazol).

Here are some tips you can try to help prevent and relieve breast pain during your menstrual period.

You may try wearing a properly fitting support bra, as reducing the bounce and sway of breast tissue during your menstrual period sometimes prevents or reduces breast pain. You may want to have a professional fitting to make sure you get the right type of bra with a proper fit.

Some women, especially those who are smaller breasted, might feel better without a bra. Some camisoles provide support without the restriction of a full bra. A sports bra may also be more comfortable than a traditional bra.

Applying hot or cold packs may help, but don't apply these directly to your breast skin. Use a towel or soft cloth between you and the pack, and apply a hot or cold pack for only 20 minutes at a time.

For more relief, you may consider taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil (ibuprofen), which can also help relieve menstrual cramps. It's best to avoid products such as Exedrine migraine that contain caffeine, as caffeine can aggravate breast pain for some women.

Studies have been mixed over the role of caffeine in cyclical breast pain, but many women will tell you this can make a big difference. Keep in mind that caffeine is found not only in many coffees, teas, and soft drinks, but in chocolate.

Drink more water and cut back on salt to limit water retention.

Drop some pounds if you are overweight. You may be surprised that just a little weight loss, sometimes as little as 2 to 3 pounds, can reduce breast pain. Many people find that reducing carbs and intermittent fasting (not eating for 12 to 14 hours each day, such as fasting from after dinner to breakfast) can help those pounds come off easier.

The International Association for Research on Cancer recommends thinking of meat as a condiment and limiting the room it takes up on your plate to one-third or less. The rest of your plate should be filled with vegetables, fruits, and healthy whole grains.

Some people have found dietary supplements such as evening primrose oil, vitamin E, or vitamin B6 helpful in reducing breast pain, but always talk to your doctor first. Be aware that there is only mild scientific evidence for these herbal remedies. These herbs do not appear to be harmful for people who are otherwise healthy, but may interact with other drugs and can cause some side effects. If your physician is unfamiliar with these therapies, you may wish to consider seeing an integrative physician, one who is trained in both conventional (allopathic medicine) medicine and complementary/alternative medicine.

Stress can amplify pain, including breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle. Lower your stress levels by doing gentle exercise, taking a tub soak, or using some simple breathing exercises. Aromatherapy may also help bring down stress, which may lower your breast pain. Taking the time to develop a stress reduction plan may have lasting benefits not only with breast pain, but every aspect of your life.

Menstrual cycle related breast pain can significantly reduce your quality of life, but often times conservative measures can lessen your pain. If your pain is limiting your activities, make sure to see your doctor, and definitely see your doctor if your pain is severe. There are prescription treatments available and it's also important to make sure that your pain is "normal" breast pain.