Breast swelling and pain occur a few days before menstruation.

Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 04, 2025
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Breast pain and swelling commonly occur 3 to 5 days before menstruation. As everyone's physical condition varies, the severity and duration of breast pain can differ. Clinically, most women experience this discomfort. Generally, the symptoms gradually disappear after the onset of menstruation. This is related to hormonal imbalances involving estrogen before menstruation, or due to the withdrawal of estrogen. If the symptoms are mild, treatment is usually not necessary. It's often sufficient to rest adequately, avoid excessive fatigue, and maintain a good mood and outlook.

Other Voices

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What is the cause of breast swelling, pain, and prominent nipples?

Breast swelling and pain, along with prominent nipples, are generally considered to be related to fibrocystic breast changes. Currently, fibrocystic breast changes are mostly believed to be related to elevated levels of estrogen caused by hormonal imbalances. The external environment in which people live, work and living conditions, interpersonal relationships, and other various stresses causing psychological factors, can all alter the internal environment of the human body. This, in turn, affects the function of the endocrine system, leading to abnormal secretion of one or several hormones, and changes in the hormone levels within the breast receptors during the menstrual cycle. When the balance of hormone levels in the body is disrupted, with an increase in estrogen levels and a decrease in progesterone secretion, it can lead to incomplete regression after breast proliferation, causing the growth of breast tissue. Additionally, the differential quality and quantity of female hormone receptors in the breast tissue components may lead to uneven growth of various parts of the breast.

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Is massage useful for breast distension pain?

Breast pain massage can be effective, but the effect is not very clear. Breast pain is generally related to breast hyperplasia, which is often linked to increased levels of estrogen due to endocrine disorders. Under normal circumstances, for symptoms that are quite obvious, we can use traditional Chinese medicine for treatment, which alleviates the pain through methods such as soothing the liver and regulating Qi, as well as harmonizing vital energy. Vitamin treatment can also be used. Vitamins B, C, and E improve liver function, regulate sex hormone metabolism, and enhance autonomic nervous function, serving as auxiliary medications for this condition. Vitamin E also has a pain-relieving effect. Endocrine treatment can also be used, although it is generally best avoided if possible. However, for patients in the pre-menopausal period who experience significant pain, it can be taken before the onset of menstruation.

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What should I do if my breasts are swollen and painful and I can't pump milk out?

If breast pain has already occurred, it is still necessary to actively treat the symptoms. Normally, if the milk cannot be completely extracted after stimulation, it is possible that a blockage in the milk ducts may be occurring. It is generally recommended to apply local heat and massage to the breasts before pumping. These treatments can effectively promote local blood circulation and help the milk ducts to clear, facilitating the complete extraction of milk. If there is continuous non-discharge of milk causing local breast swelling, it's necessary to consider the possibility of mastitis and seek medical advice promptly to receive appropriate treatment.

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Does an ectopic pregnancy cause early breast tenderness?

Ectopic pregnancy is a pathological condition in the early stages of pregnancy. Although it is a pathological state, it is still considered a pregnancy, so common early pregnancy reactions still occur in patients with ectopic pregnancies, including mild breast tenderness in the early stages. The reason for this tenderness is because after pregnancy, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body increase. These hormones stimulate the mammary glands, causing slight proliferation and manifested as breast tenderness. Even in cases of ectopic pregnancy, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body will rise, thus causing breast tenderness. However, in ectopic pregnancies, the increase in estrogen and progesterone is not particularly high, so the stimulation to the mammary glands is not as strong as in a normal intrauterine pregnancy. Thus, there is breast tenderness in the early pregnancy, but it is lower than in normal intrauterine pregnancies.

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Is it normal for breast tenderness to disappear in early pregnancy?

In early pregnancy, the changes in a woman's breasts are due to an increase in estrogen, which promotes the development of mammary ducts and the accumulation of fat, while progesterone promotes the development of mammary alveoli. Prolactin, growth hormone, insulin, cortisol, and epidermal growth factor also work together to differentiate stem cells into alveolar cells and myoepithelial cells. This often results in women noticing gradually enlarging breasts and feeling breast tenderness during physical examinations. Therefore, it is normal for women to experience breast tenderness in the affected areas, and the disappearance of this tenderness is also normal. If you are concerned, you can further visit a hospital for an examination to rule out any organic changes in the breast tissue. Follow the advice and proper diagnoses of doctors. If you have further questions, please consult a doctor at the hospital for more information.