Do breasts become sore before pregnancy?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on May 11, 2025
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Before pregnancy, women can also experience breast pain and swelling. This happens because, before pregnancy, the female body begins to secrete hormones during ovulation, increasing their levels, which then stimulates the mammary glands, causing breast proliferation and congestion of the mammary glands. Therefore, during pregnancy, this breast pain and swelling phenomenon can worsen. However, experiencing breast pain and swelling does not necessarily indicate pregnancy; it could also be a phenomenon occurring after ovulation and before menstruation. Before pregnancy, due to the influence of the ovulation period, some women may experience swelling of the breasts and proliferation of the mammary glands, or pain caused by lumps in the mammary glands. In such cases, further observation is needed for a few more days, and after having intercourse for half a month, or if menstruation is delayed, a pregnancy test using an early pregnancy test strip is suggested.

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Written by Lin Yang
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.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Breast pain during running, what could be the reason?

Breast hyperplasia is generally considered related to endocrine disorders, which lead to increased levels of estrogen. The external environment in which one lives, including work and living conditions, interpersonal relationships, and various other stress factors, can cause changes in the body's internal environment. This, in turn, affects the function of the endocrine system, leading to abnormal secretion of one or several types of hormones. During the menstrual cycle, changes in hormone levels within the breast receptors can cause neutral changes. When the balance of hormone levels in the body is lost, and estrogen levels increase, a decrease in progesterone secretion can lead to incomplete regression of breast hyperplasia, causing an increase in breast tissue. Additionally, differences in the quality and quantity of female hormone receptors in the breast tissue may lead to uneven growth in different parts of the breast.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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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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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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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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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.