Have you ever felt pain and swelling in your breasts before menstruation? One common issue many women experience before their period is breast pain and a feeling of fullness or swelling in the breasts. What causes breast swelling before menstruation?

What causes breast pain before menstruation?

Breast pain before menstruation is quite common and usually normal. This condition, known as cyclic mastalgia, is linked to the menstrual cycle. t is generally not dangerous and usually goes away once your period ends.

According to Medical News Today, cyclic mastalgia is caused by hormonal changes before your period. During the luteal phase, when estrogen levels are high and progesterone levels are low, you may feel this pain. Hormonal shifts can also cause swelling of the lymph nodes, contributing to breast tenderness.

Prolactin, a hormone that increases after childbirth, can cause breast pain and swelling. Breast pain may also occur during ovulation, when the ovaries release an egg for potential fertilization. This type of pain typically occurs 12 to 14 days before your period begins.

However, if your breast pain worsens before your period or does not improve afterward, you should consult a doctor.

Symptoms of breast pain before menstruation

Breast pain before menstruation can affect one or both breasts. Common symptoms include:

• A heavy or tender feeling in the breasts
• Dense or lumpy breast tissue when touched
• Pain radiating to the armpits
• Sharp, occasional pain
• Swelling
• More intense pain around the nipples
• Pain that may be constant or intermittent

This type of pain typically appears about a week before your period and usually disappears after menstruation.

Managing breast pain before menstruation

Breast pain before menstruation typically resolves on its own. To help ease breast pain before your period, try these methods:

• Wear a larger or sports bra for better support
• Cut back on caffeine from tea, coffee, soda, and energy drinks
• Reduce your intake of salty foods, which can cause water retention
• Apply cold or warm compresses to your breasts
• Stay active with regular exercise

If the pain is severe and doesn’t improve, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help.

When to see a doctor?

You should see a doctor if your breast pain worsens or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• Painful lumps or any new lumps in your breasts
• Discharge from the nipple that is bloody or has a foul odor
• Persistent breast pain lasting more than a few weeks, even after your period
• Severe pain that disrupts your daily activities
• Signs of infection, such as warmth, redness, or fever in the breast area

While breast pain before menstruation is usually normal, in severe cases, it can be bothersome. To manage it, try home remedies or pain relief medications. If the pain persists, it is best to consult a doctor. You can also make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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