What causes breast pain before menstruation?

Written by Wu Shi Ting

Breast Health Department

Updated on September 15, 2024

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In clinical practice, I often hear complaints from female friends that they experience breast tenderness before menstruation. What exactly is the cause of this? Mild breast tenderness may be due to hormonal changes in the body, which is a normal physiological condition. Of course, it could also be caused by diseases, such as the most common fibrocystic breast change, which is associated with cyclical breast pain during the menstrual cycle. There are also other diseases that can cause cyclical breast pain, and it is important to pay attention to them. Especially in cases of severe pain, or when even light touch causes significant discomfort, we recommend visiting a hospital for relevant examinations as soon as possible.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Chun Yun

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Can breast swelling and pain before menstruation be relieved by massage?

It is advisable to go to the hospital for a systematic, standardized, and reasonable examination before menstruation if you experience breast swelling and pain, in order to rule out diseases that could cause such symptoms, such as mastitis in women, mammary hyperplasia, or breast cancer, etc. If these organic changes in the female breast are ruled out and the pain is considered to be caused by premenstrual syndrome, you may gently massage under the doctor's advice and guidance to alleviate the pain. Be gentle and slow in your approach, and pay attention to the technique; do not pinch or squeeze with excessive movements. Please follow the doctor's advice for specific actions. If you have further questions, please consult a doctor at the hospital.

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Is breast pain related to taking folic acid?

Breast pain and swelling are generally not related to folic acid intake, as such pain and swelling are usually associated with breast hyperplasia, which is often related to endocrine disorders leading to increased levels of estrogen. The breast is a target organ for many endocrine glands, and its physiological activities are influenced by hormones secreted by the pituitary gland, ovaries, and adrenal cortex. The pituitary gland can directly affect the breast through prolactin. At the same time, estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries and adrenal cortex indirectly affect the breast. During pregnancy, breast cancer is influenced by estrogen and progesterone produced by the placenta. During pregnancy and lactation, the breast noticeably proliferates, with ductal elongation and alveolar secretion of milk. After breastfeeding, breast tissue returns to a relatively quiescent state.

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Written by Lin Yang

Breast Surgery

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What's going on with breast swelling, pain, nausea, and vomiting?

Generally considered related to breast hyperplasia. We can confirm the diagnosis through breast ultrasound or mammography, paying attention to exclude the possibility of pregnancy. Breast hyperplasia is characterized by cyclic swelling and pain of the breasts, often occurring or worsening before menstruation and reducing or disappearing after menstruation. Mild cases may go unnoticed by the patient, while severe cases can affect daily life and work. However, some patients do not show obvious cyclic changes, and symptoms might present as unilateral or bilateral breast pain or pinprick-like sensation, possibly extending to the shoulder, upper limbs, or the chest-back area. A few patients may experience nipple discharge. The condition can persist for a long time, but symptoms generally disappear or lessen after menopause. During physical examination, nodular lumps of varying sizes, firm but not hard, may be felt in one or both breasts, sometimes tender when touched.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao

Breast Health Department

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What causes breast pain during menstruation?

The menstrual period is a time when female hormone levels fluctuate, which is the fundamental reason why most women experience breast pain during menstruation. Due to the fluctuation of hormone levels, there is an increase in breast tissue and edema in the interstitial tissue of the breast, ultimately causing the sensation of breast pain. If the breast pain during menstruation does not ease after the period, or if the pain is very severe, or even painful to touch, attention is needed. This is considered pathological breast pain, likely caused by breast disease, and could be related to breast hyperplasia, mastitis, or even breast tumors. It is necessary to consult a professional doctor for a breast diagnosis.

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Breast Surgery

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Breast swelling and pain, increased vaginal discharge, does it mean that menstruation is coming?

Breast swelling and pain, increased vaginal discharge, it might be that menstruation is coming. Breast swelling and pain are generally manifestations of mammary gland hyperplasia. The symptoms of mammary gland hyperplasia typically include cyclical breast swelling and pain, which often appear or worsen before menstruation and subside or disappear after menstruation. Some patients do not experience obvious cyclical changes; some may have swelling and needle-like pain in one or both breasts, which can extend to the shoulders, upper limbs, or chest and back areas. A few patients might have nipple discharge; the discharge can be yellow, brown, or bloody. The disease course can sometimes be long, but symptoms often disappear or lessen after menopause.