What Do I Do If I Think Something Is Wrong
Its important that you don’t panic about a lump, because most are completely normal. Breasts are naturally a little lumpy so its usually nothing out of the ordinary if you come across one that you dont recognise.
Still, you need to get any strange lumps checked over by your doctor, as they can do a more thorough examination, and if they think you need to have more tests done, theyll talk you through the next steps such as a possible ultrasound or a mammogram.
How To Deal With Breast Pain
Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, is a very common complaint among women, especially during the menstrual cycle. According to California Pacific Medical Center, breast pain affects 50 to 70 percent of women.
Some of the signs of mastalgia are stabbing pain, heaviness, soreness, tenderness and swelling in both breasts. The pain may be mild to severe and occur constantly or only occasionally. Breast pain can be classified into two main clinical patterns:
- Cyclical the pain intensity changes during the menstrual cycle.
- Non-cyclical the pain remains unchanged during the menstrual cycle. This type is less frequent.
Cyclical breast pain occurs due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. On the other hand, non-cyclical breast pain is associated with issues that affect the structure of the breasts, such as cysts, trauma, prior surgery or other factors.
Other causes of breast pain are an imbalance of fatty acids within the cells of the breasts, use of certain medications, having large breasts, breastfeeding and wearing ill-fitted bras.
For breast pain that occurs before or during the menstrual cycle, some home remedies can help ease the pain and tenderness. For unexplained pain that persists for days and occurs in one specific area of your breast, seek proper medical advice.
Here are the top 10 ways to deal with breast pain.
Contents
How To Massage Your Breasts To Relieve Soreness
One of the most common PMS symptoms is breast soreness. However, just because it is a common symptom doesnt mean you just have to live with it.
There are things you can do to relieve menstrual breast soreness and in this article we are going to take a look at one of those, which is massaging the breasts.
Now you may be thinking, But my breasts get way to sore to ever touch them but heres the truth massaging the breasts can be a quick, easy way to get rid of soreness so that you can go about your normal life.
You just have to get past the initial discomfort, if you can do that then the reward awaiting you is definitely worth it.
Massaging your breasts may also be an effective way to reduce your risk of breast cancer, according to some experts. These experts believe that there may be a relationship between lack of touching of the breast and breast cancer.
For example, the U.S. is one of the only countries where many massage clinics have a rule that the breast is taboo for massage. However, in other cultures, breast massage is a natural component of body massages, such as in Lomi Lomi massage and Ayurvedic massage.
Could this be a reason why the breast cancer rate is so high in America? Only future studies will be able to tell, but for now lets look at how to alleviate breast tenderness with massage.
Recommended Reading: Donating Blood While Menstruating
What Causes Menstrual Period To Come Out
Period occurs due to cyclical change of your hormones during your menstrual cycle.
What is the menstrual cycle?
The menstrual cycle is the number of days between 2 periods. For example, if your last menstrual period started on the 27th of April and your next period starts on the 26th of May, then you have a 30-day menstrual cycle.
Some women may have an erratic menstrual cycle, short menstrual cycle or long menstrual cycle.
What causes period to come out?
At birth and during puberty, the ovaries contain a fixed number of follicles that are released in each cycle. Weeks before you are born, your body stops producing follicle that develops to release an egg.
It is estimated that throughout the lifetime of women, about 500 eggs are released from the ovaries. These release of the egg is called ovulation.
Before ovulation occurs, your body increases the secretion of estrogen. This hormone works to help grow the endometrium covering the inner part of the uterus.
If you get pregnant, you will have no period because the endometrium helps provide nutrition for your baby.
However, if youre not pregnant, the endometrium breaks down coming out from your vagina as period.
Now its your turn. Do you have a headache or pains before your period starts? Are your menstrual period symptoms affecting your daily activities?
Heres The Method For Sore Breasts Relief Massage:
- Starting at the ribcage of the right breast, lightly rub upwards into the arm pit where the lymph glands drain.
- Then use circular motions around the clavicle .
- Next, with the left hand start at the top left part of the right breast and rub gently in a circular motion on the outside part of the entire breast, ending at the rib cage.
- Then stroke upwards again into the armpit.
- Repeat on the other breast in a similar motion.
Breast massage is gentle and never is deep tissue massage.
You can also do yoga for sore breasts. However there arent any specific yoga poses for breast tenderness. Most likely its the breathing exercises of yoga that will help oygenate the tissues of the breast and then help relieve the pain.
One of the smartest moves youll make if you have breast tenderness is to take a period vitamin. This is a vitamin specially designed for women who are in the childbearing years and have their period. During these years, your nutritional needs differ from other years such as before your period starts and during menopause, or during pregnancy or lactation.
The period vitamin also contains herbs that normalize the reproductive hormones, since many PMS symptoms are due to hormone imbalance.
By taking a period vitamin, youll hit the root cause of the breast tenderness the hormone imbalances and/or vitamin and mineral deficiencies. So do consider taking a period vitamin today.
Don’t Miss: Can You Donate Plasma On Your Period
Symptoms Of Breast Pain Before Period
Symptoms can include tenderness in both breasts or just one and can be on a wide scale of pain from dull to very sharp. When you experience something like this, it can last from a day to a few months, so recording your symptoms is important to keep tabs on patterns. So how can you relieve the soreness?
Why Breast Pain Occurs During Periods
Breast pain occurs due to secretion of primary female sex hormone Estrogen. It causes the breast ducts to enlarge. The production of progesterone hormone causes the milk glands to swell. Both of these hormones are the primary causes for your breasts to feel sore and pain during the period and premenstrual cycle.
You May Like: 90 Day Probationary Period Template
Breast Pain And Your Menstrual Period
Monique Rainford, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, and currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Medicine. She is the former chief of obstetrics-gynecology at Yale Health.
Many women take it as an article of faith: If they’re feeling pain in one or both of their breasts, their menstrual cycle is about to begin.
Most of the time, they’re right.
Cyclical breast pain refers to breast pain that comes and goes with a menstrual cycle. While it’s very common, the exact cause is unknown.
Physicians and researchers suspect the pain is related to the rise and fall of hormones during a menstrual cycle.
This article reviews what you should know about cyclical breast pain, including some of its specific symptoms. Medication and vitamin supplements may help ease the discomfort, but several self-care steps may be the biggest help of all.
Verywell / Hilary Allison
What Else Should I Know About Breast Pain
Pain that is not cyclical could be due to something in the breast or rib cage like inflammation, infection, or injury, or could be a sign of cancer . Non-cyclical breast pain that is persistently in one spotâespecially if there is also a breast lumpâshould be evaluated by a healthcare provider .
Breast pain can also be a sign of early pregnancy. If itâs possible that youâre pregnant, your breasts may be tender and your period could be late. Taking a pregnancy test could be a good idea.
to track breast pain and your cycle so that you can better plan for and manage your symptoms.
Recommended Reading: 90 Day Probationary Period Policy Examples
Remember When Massaging Your Breasts That Breast Massage Should Always Be Gentle It Should Never Be A Deep Tissue Massage
Another tip for relieving breast soreness is to take a Period Vitamin. The right Period Vitamin will contain herbs, vitamins and minerals that act to reduce and even prevent PMS sore breasts.
The period vitamin also contains herbs that normalize the reproductive hormones which can help reduce breast soreness and other symptoms of PMS because they are caused by hormone imbalances.
Can Anything Else Cause Breast Pain
Breast pain may also be caused by things like a clogged milk duct, mastitis , having larger, heavier breasts, having had breast surgery in the past, and taking hormonal medications. If you think your breast pain may be caused by something other than PMS symptoms, speak to your doctor and check them over.
Also Check: Primosiston To Stop Period
What Are The Treatments For Cyclical Breast Pain
Treatment for cyclical breast pain will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.
Treatments vary greatly and may include the following:
-
Not having caffeine
-
Thyroid hormones
-
Tamoxifen, an estrogen blocker
Supplemental hormones and hormone blockers may have side effects. In addition, the risks and benefits of such treatment should be carefully discussed with your healthcare provider.
When Should I Call My Doctor
While most changes in your breasts shouldnât cause alarm, you should make the call if you notice:
- Unusual, new, or changing lumps in your breast or under your arm
- Nipple discharge , particularly if itâs bloody or brown
- Severe symptoms that make it hard to sleep, even after you make changes to your diet and exercise routine
You should also reach out if you have changes in:
- The size or shape of your breast that doesnât go away after you get your period
- Your nipple, such as if it becomes more pointed or turns inward
- Your breastâs skin, including itching, redness, scaling, dimples, or puckering
Don’t Miss: Dark Brown Discharge Instead Of Period
When To Contact A Medical Professional
- Have new, unusual, or changing lumps in breast tissue
- Have one-sided lumps in breast tissue
- Do not know how to properly perform breast self-examination
- Are a woman, age 40 years or older, and have never had a screening mammogram
- Have discharge from your nipple, particularly if it is a bloody or brown discharge
- Have symptoms that interfere with your ability to sleep, and diet changes and exercise have not helped
Breast Pain And Breast Cancer
Women with breast pain often worry that the pain is caused by breast cancer. However, the first symptom of breast cancer is usually a painless lump. Pain is not usually an early symptom.
However, even though breast pain is not likely to be caused by cancer, you should see your doctor if you have any concerns about breast pain or any other breast symptoms.
In particular, see a doctor promptly if you have breast pain and any of the following:
- A lump in your breast or under your arms.
- Discharge from a lump or nipple.
- A family history of breast cancer.
- Swelling and redness in your breast.
- Any symptoms of pregnancy, such as a missed period.
Read Also: 90 Day Employment Probationary Period Template
Signs Of Period Coming But No Period
If you experience signs of period coming but no period, then it may be due to pregnancy.
Pregnancy may cause you to have signs of period Headache and cramps, but no period coming.
If pregnant, you may experience brown spotting before period or sometimes an unusual early light period.
Are you getting tired easily? Do you feel like vomiting? Are you craving for a specific kind of diet? Then its possible you may be pregnant.
Other causes of signs ofperiod coming but no period are stress, weight loss, contraceptive pills, obesity, weight loss, ovarian cyst and polycystic ovarian disease.
Tips To Prevent Or Ease Breast Pain
If your breast pain is clearly cyclic, or if youve already seen your doctor and ruled out a serious condition, here are eight ways to help manage the pain or to keep from making it worse:
Also Check: New Hire 90 Day-probationary Period Template
How To Get Rid Of Period Bloating
If youre feeling puffy and bloated, foods that contain potassium, like bananas and dark leafy greens, may help reduce water retention. They do this by counteracting high levels of sodium in the body.
Consuming lots of salty foods can make water retention worse.
Reducing the intake of refined sugars is also an important step for reducing period bloating. High-sugar foods encourage the pancreas to release a hormone called insulin, which can lead to water retention and bloating.