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.

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Under normal circumstances, an ectopic pregnancy is also considered a type of pregnancy, and symptoms similar to early pregnancy reactions may appear, including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, or breast tenderness and obvious breast enlargement. However, the presence of breast tenderness does not necessarily indicate an ectopic pregnancy, as normal intrauterine pregnancy can also cause breast tenderness. Therefore, if pregnancy is suspected, it is advisable to undergo prompt medical examinations to determine whether it is an intrauterine or ectopic pregnancy.

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Breast engorgement but not much milk, what's the problem?

Breast pain with scanty milk supply may be due to milk stagnation in the ducts. It is recommended to visit a formal hospital's breast department for an ultrasound or routine blood test to determine if inflammation is present. If the blood count exceeds 10,000, it indicates that the milk was not fully drained during breastfeeding, causing it to accumulate in the lobules of the breast tissue, leading to bacterial mastitis. In this case, it is advised to stop breastfeeding and treat the inflammation symptomatically. Local warm moist compresses, as well as peri-inflammatory injections of isotonic saline, can be used to help reduce the inflammation. Antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins or erythromycin may be chosen.

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Is breast swelling and pain a sign of pregnancy?

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Can frequent breast pain be treated by patting?

Breast pain and swelling often occur, and slapping them is ineffective because the pain and swelling are related to fibrocystic breast change, which is often linked to hormonal imbalances causing increased levels of estrogen. Therefore, for symptoms that are quite severe, we can use traditional Chinese medicine, which alleviates pain through methods that soothe the liver and regulate qi, as well as harmonize the thoroughfare and conception vessels. Endocrine treatments are also an option, preferably avoided, but can be used before menstruation in cases of severe pain during the pre-menopausal period. Vitamin therapy can also be used; vitamins B, C, and E help improve liver function, regulate metabolic processes related to sex hormones, and enhance autonomic function, serving as adjunct therapies for this condition. Vitamin E also helps alleviate pain. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a physician.)

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Is breast swelling and pain during menstruation normal?

For many women, in addition to experiencing dysmenorrhea during their menstrual period, they often encounter various discomforts. Many young and middle-aged women experience breast pain before and after their period. Is this normal? Many women worry that this is a sign of a pathological change in their breasts. Generally speaking, this type of cyclical breast pain or stabbing pain that occurs as the menstrual cycle approaches and then eases or disappears after the onset of menstruation is mostly due to changes in hormones within the body, and it is a normal physiological condition that does not require treatment. However, if the pain is severe, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly.