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 Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
1min 13sec home-news-image

Can an ice pack be applied for breast swelling and pain?

Breast pain is generally not treated with cold compresses using ice packs; instead, hot compresses can be considered. Breast pain caused by fibrocystic changes can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Methods such as soothing the liver and regulating the Qi, and harmonizing the thoroughfare and conception vessels can relieve pain. Endocrine therapy is also an option, though preferably minimized. It can be taken before menstruation in cases of significant pre-menopausal pain. Vitamin treatment, including vitamins B, C, and E, can improve liver function, regulate basal metabolic rate, and enhance autonomic nerve functionality, and thus can be used as auxiliary medication for this condition. In recent years, vitamin E is also considered to have pain-relieving effects. For those with a family history of breast cancer, or when the lesion is confined to a part of the breast and a noticeable lump persists after the menstrual period, a biopsy via fine-needle aspiration or MammoTome rotational biopsy may be conducted, and surgical treatment may be necessary if required.

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Written by Wu Shi Ting
Breast Health Department
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What should I do if my period is 10 days late and my breasts are sore?

What should I do if my menstrual period is delayed by 10 days and I have breast pain? For many women, besides dysmenorrhea, there are many discomforts during menstruation. Many young and middle-aged women experience breast swelling and pain before and after menstruation. Is this normal? Many women worry that this is a sign of a pathological change in their breasts. Generally speaking, this kind of cyclical swelling or stabbing pain that appears as the menstrual cycle approaches, and then eases or disappears after the onset of menstruation, is mostly due to changes in hormones in the body and is a normal physiological condition that does not require treatment. Of course, if the pain is severe, it is necessary to visit a hospital promptly.

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Written by Zhao Su Min
Obstetrics
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What should I do if I have breast engorgement and lumps during postpartum confinement?

Postpartum breast engorgement and pain with lumps may indicate milk stasis within the breast. It is recommended to let the child suckle more. If the engorgement and pain persist due to a significant amount of residual milk, you can manually express the milk or use an electric breast pump to remove it to prevent the accumulation of milk, which can lead to mastitis. If the pain is severe and accompanied by fever, it is advised to stop breastfeeding from that side and seek medical attention promptly. If necessary, oral anti-inflammatory medication may be administered. During the postpartum period, care should be taken to avoid putting pressure on the breasts.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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What causes chest tightness and breast pain?

Chest tightness and breast pain are primarily considered to be caused by breast hyperplasia or mastitis. It is recommended to visit a hospital for an examination, including a breast ultrasound, to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment. Diet should be light, avoiding spicy, greasy, cold, and irritating foods. It is also important to check for symptoms of pregnancy using a test strip. If pregnancy is ruled out, the symptoms may be due to breast hyperplasia or mastitis. Under a doctor's guidance, anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications should be taken as treatment. Additionally, maintaining a good mood, avoiding anger, ensuring adequate sleep, and not staying up late can significantly aid in recovery from illness.

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Breast Surgery
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What should you not eat if you have breast pain?

Breast swelling and pain are mostly considered to be related to breast hyperplasia, and can be diagnosed through breast ultrasound or mammography. Therefore, patients with breast hyperplasia need to eat less food containing estrogen, as supplementing exogenous estrogen has been confirmed to increase the incidence of breast cancer, and it is also advised to reduce the intake of fatty and high-calorie diets. Most epidemiological studies confirm that weight gain is associated with breast cancer, especially weight gain after menopause should be paired with reduced alcohol consumption. Reports indicate that drinking may increase hormone levels in the body, leading to an increased risk of breast cancer in women. It is suggested to consume more foods rich in fiber and vitamins. Although the mechanism is not yet clear, fiber has been confirmed to have an inhibitory effect on both breast cancer and colorectal cancer, and research suggests that vitamin A also has a protective role in breast cells.