Can breast swelling and pain before menstruation be relieved by massage?

Written by Zhang Chun Yun
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 20, 2024
00:00
00:00

It is advisable to go to the hospital for a systematic, standardized, and reasonable examination before menstruation if you experience breast swelling and pain, in order to rule out diseases that could cause such symptoms, such as mastitis in women, mammary hyperplasia, or breast cancer, etc. If these organic changes in the female breast are ruled out and the pain is considered to be caused by premenstrual syndrome, you may gently massage under the doctor's advice and guidance to alleviate the pain. Be gentle and slow in your approach, and pay attention to the technique; do not pinch or squeeze with excessive movements. Please follow the doctor's advice for specific actions. If you have further questions, please consult a doctor at the hospital.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Shi Ting
Breast Health Department
49sec home-news-image

What is the cause of breast swelling and pain before menstruation?

Menstruation has not yet arrived, but the breasts are already in pain—this is a common annoyance for many women. Many women experience swelling, hardening, and even pain in their breasts before the onset of menstruation. In severe cases, even slight vibrations or bumps can cause unbearable breast pain. What causes this? It all starts with a mysterious substance—hormones. Each menstrual cycle, levels of estrogen and progesterone rise, causing the mammary ducts and lobular duct endothelial cells to enlarge, and the ductal epithelial cells and stromal cells to become congested and swollen, leading to pain. Thus, different degrees of pain occur before menstruation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min home-news-image

How long after breast pain does menstruation come?

Everyone experiences different symptoms before menstruation. Some people experience breast swelling and soon after, their period begins, while for others, breast swelling can last for about two weeks or more before menstruation occurs. This varies from person to person because breast swelling is related to many factors. For example, some start experiencing it after ovulation, while for others, it might be related to staying up late and recent high stress levels. Some individuals may have mammary gland hyperplasia and should regularly have breast examinations, such as breast palpation and breast ultrasound, among other tests. Not every symptom indicates that menstruation will occur; some could be early signs of pregnancy. If the period is delayed, it is still necessary to check.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 9sec home-news-image

What is the cause of postmenopausal breast pain?

Under normal circumstances, if breast swelling and pain occur after menopause, it is necessary to visit a hospital for a breast ultrasound to check for any organic diseases in the breast. If the ultrasound reveals any abnormal masses or conditions, further examination with a mammogram is generally required. Normally, there should not be any swelling or pain in the breasts after menopause. If such symptoms occur, they should be taken seriously, and a hospital visit is necessary for relevant examinations to rule out malignant breast tumors. If there is no malignant tumor and the breast ultrasound does not show significant issues, merely presenting with breast swelling and pain, at this point, some medicinal treatment for regulation can be taken. Traditional Chinese medicine generally considers that the liver meridian passes through the breast, and patients with liver Qi stagnation may experience breast swelling and pain. In such cases, taking medicine to soothe the liver and alleviate depression can be symptomatically appropriate.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
44sec home-news-image

What causes breast pain during menstruation?

The menstrual period is a time when female hormone levels fluctuate, which is the fundamental reason why most women experience breast pain during menstruation. Due to the fluctuation of hormone levels, there is an increase in breast tissue and edema in the interstitial tissue of the breast, ultimately causing the sensation of breast pain. If the breast pain during menstruation does not ease after the period, or if the pain is very severe, or even painful to touch, attention is needed. This is considered pathological breast pain, likely caused by breast disease, and could be related to breast hyperplasia, mastitis, or even breast tumors. It is necessary to consult a professional doctor for a breast diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Shi Ting
Breast Health Department
42sec home-news-image

What is the cause of breast pain before menstruation?

Many women experience breast pain before each menstrual period, but what exactly is the cause? Mild breast pain may be due to changes in hormones within the body and is considered a normal physiological condition. Of course, it could also be caused by diseases, such as the commonly seen fibrocystic breast changes, which result in cyclical breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle. There are also other diseases that can cause cyclical breast pain, which should be taken seriously. Especially in cases of severe pain, where even slight touch causes significant discomfort, it is advised to seek timely medical examination at a hospital.