Why are breasts painful and swollen before menstruation?

Written by Jia Rui

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on October 25, 2024

00:00

00:00

Premenstrual breast pain is a common symptom among women and is considered a normal physiological response. It mainly occurs due to the increase in estrogen levels in the body seven to ten days before menstruation, leading to breast hyperplasia and enlargement, causing discomfort that makes the breasts sensitive to touch. There is no need for excessive concern as breast pain caused by hyperplasia is normal. Generally, the condition improves after menstruation and does not require special treatment. If the pain is severe, applying heat can help alleviate it.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Sun Shan Shan

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min

home-news-image

What's the matter with delayed menstruation and breast pain?

Delayed menstruation and breast pain, if it occurs in women of childbearing age who are sexually active, this condition needs to be checked to see if there is a possibility of pregnancy. Menstruation is related to mood, diet, environmental stress, and psychological tension. If there is a problem in any of these areas, it can cause menstrual disorders. Of course, a delay in menstruation of about a week is within the normal range. If menstruation is delayed for more than a week and there has been sexual activity, a pregnancy test should be used to see if there is a possibility of pregnancy. If not pregnant and menstruation is delayed for more than a week, it is necessary to promptly go to the hospital for a gynecological ultrasound to check the condition of the endometrium, and if necessary, medication can be used to induce menstruation. If a pregnancy test is positive, then it is timely to go to the hospital for a pregnancy checkup.

home-news-image

Written by Wu Shi Ting

Breast Health Department

48sec

home-news-image

How to deal with breast distention and pain?

There are many reasons for breast pain, and the methods of treatment vary according to the different causes. During our adolescence, before menstruation, and during pregnancy, many people experience breast pain, which is often caused by hormonal changes in the body. Generally, the symptoms are not particularly severe, so there is no need for excessive worry or special treatment. However, many diseases can also cause breast pain, such as mastitis during breastfeeding, fibrocystic breast changes, and various breast tumors, all of which may lead to breast discomfort and require significant attention. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with breast pain seek timely medical examination to identify the cause and receive targeted treatment.

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

46sec

home-news-image

What to do about breast pain from a biochemical pregnancy?

After experiencing a biochemical pregnancy, if the patient has symptoms such as breast tenderness, there is no need to worry too much. As the hormone levels decrease, the symptoms of breast tenderness will gradually ease. If the symptoms are significant, they can be alleviated through local heat application, massage, or other physical therapy methods. If necessary, it is also possible to visit a hospital and, under the guidance of a doctor, take some medications for treatment. During this time, it is important to rest, ensure sufficient sleep, avoid overworking and staying up late, enhance nutrition, and avoid raw, cold, and spicy stimulating foods. The diet should be light and nutritious.

home-news-image

Written by Wu Shi Ting

Breast Health Department

45sec

home-news-image

What is premenstrual breast pain?

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.