What is premenstrual breast pain?

Written by Wu Shi Ting
Breast Health Department
Updated on September 14, 2024
00:00
00:00

Many female friends are troubled by breast pain before their period. What exactly is the reason for this? Why do symptoms of breast pain appear before the period? Mild breast pain may be due to changes in hormones within the body, and it is considered a normal physiological condition. Of course, it could also be caused by diseases, such as the commonly seen fibrocystic breast changes, which show cyclical breast pain with the menstrual cycle. Indeed, other diseases can also cause cyclical pain in our breasts, and it is something that we need to pay attention to. Especially in cases of severe pain, where even light touch causes a lot of pain, we recommend going to the hospital for relevant examinations as soon as possible.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
47sec home-news-image

Can breast engorgement and blocked milk ducts be treated with scraping therapy?

Breast pain and blocked milk ducts are not recommended for scraping therapy, as scraping can easily cause inflammation of the mammary glands and result in breast damage. Breast heaviness and blocked milk ducts are likely caused by the accumulation of milk in the ducts. It is advised to visit a regular hospital for a breast ultrasound to determine if the issue is caused by inflammation or lipid accumulation. If the condition is merely an accumulation, using a warm towel for heat compresses and massage can achieve the effect of unblocking the milk ducts. However, if the condition is caused by inflammation, and the symptoms are mild and the lesions are not severe, breastfeeding can still be continued. Nevertheless, the affected breast should not be used for breastfeeding. A breast pump can be used to extract the milk.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Shi Ting
Breast Health Department
42sec home-news-image

What is the cause of breast pain before menstruation?

Many women experience breast pain before each menstrual period, but what exactly is the cause? Mild breast pain may be due to changes in hormones within the body and is considered a normal physiological condition. Of course, it could also be caused by diseases, such as the commonly seen fibrocystic breast changes, which result in cyclical breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle. There are also other diseases that can cause cyclical breast pain, which should be taken seriously. Especially in cases of severe pain, where even slight touch causes significant discomfort, it is advised to seek timely medical examination at a hospital.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
54sec home-news-image

Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain, what's wrong?

Breast swelling and occasional stabbing pain are considered to be caused by fibrocystic breast changes. The symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes include cyclic swelling and pain in the breasts, often appearing or worsening before menstruation and reducing or disappearing after menstruation. It may manifest as swelling and pain in one or both breasts, or prickling and painful sensations, and can extend to the shoulders, upper arms, or thoracic regions. Few patients may experience nipple discharge. During physical examination, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are firm but not hard, can be felt in one or both breasts. Sometimes these lumps are tender, and their boundaries with the surrounding breast tissue are indistinct, but they are not adherent to the skin or pectoral muscles. Regular follow-up with breast ultrasound is advisable.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Chun Yun
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Can Chinese medicine be used to treat breast pain before menstruation?

Breast pain before menstruation is an issue. It is recommended that you visit a hospital for a comprehensive examination to rule out organic changes related to female breast conditions such as mastitis, mammary ductal hyperplasia, and fibrocystic breast disease, among others. After excluding these conditions, it might be considered premenstrual syndrome. The final diagnosis and examination results from a doctor should be definitive. You could also opt for traditional Chinese medicine; take your medical results to a TCM department. Please have a Chinese medicine practitioner assess your pulse, constitution, tongue coating, medical reports, and specific symptoms, and prescribe appropriate Chinese herbal medicines for your treatment. However, be aware that dietary restrictions are necessary when taking Chinese medicine; avoid spicy food, greasy food, and alcohol. If you have further questions, please consult a doctor at the hospital.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
45sec home-news-image

Will having sex with breast pain lead to pregnancy?

Women may experience breast tenderness before and after menstruation, or during ovulation. However, merely relying on breast tenderness to determine the likelihood of pregnancy during intercourse has no scientific basis. One should consider their menstrual cycle to see if it coincides with the ovulation period, which is typically about 14 days before the onset of the next menstrual cycle. The ovulation date, the five days before it, the four days after it, plus the day of ovulation itself, make up a total of ten days known as the ovulation period. Intercourse during this time is more likely to lead to pregnancy.