What causes breast pain before menstruation?

Written by Wu Shi Ting

Breast Health Department

Updated on September 15, 2024

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In clinical practice, I often hear complaints from female friends that they experience breast tenderness before menstruation. What exactly is the cause of this? Mild breast tenderness may be due to hormonal changes in the body, which is a normal physiological condition. Of course, it could also be caused by diseases, such as the most common fibrocystic breast change, which is associated with cyclical breast pain during the menstrual cycle. There are also other diseases that can cause cyclical breast pain, and it is important to pay attention to them. Especially in cases of severe pain, or when even light touch causes significant discomfort, we recommend visiting a hospital for relevant examinations as soon as possible.

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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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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.

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What causes breast pain after pregnancy?

In early pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in women's bodies, with increased levels of estrogen and progesterone leading to breast tenderness. This usually eases over time and is a normal physiological condition. Regular prenatal check-ups should be within normal ranges. If the discomfort is severe, it could indicate an abnormal condition, and it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly. It is recommended to rest well, relax, maintain a cheerful mood, and ensure adequate sleep. Dietarily, avoid raw, cold, spicy, and stimulating food. Refrain from smoking, excessive drinking, and other unhealthy habits. Opt for a light yet nutritionally balanced diet, consume fresh fruits and vegetables, and eat smaller, more frequent meals. During the first three months of pregnancy, it is still necessary to supplement with folic acid to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus.

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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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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.