Is breast swelling and pain one week before menstruation a sign of pregnancy?

Written by Wang Xiu Mei
Obstetrics
Updated on December 29, 2024
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Breast swelling and pain a week before menstruation may be related to menstruation due to increased estrogen during the latter half of the menstrual cycle, leading to breast or nipple swelling and pain. If these symptoms occur outside of the menstrual period, it may indicate a breast condition such as fibrocystic breast disease, mastitis, or nipple infection. In such cases, it is necessary to visit a hospital for breast examinations like breast ultrasound or mammography to diagnose the condition. Generally, symptoms may relieve or disappear after menstruation, but breast pain can also be caused by local inflammation of the breast, and inflammation of the nipple can also cause swelling and discomfort. If symptoms are significant and accompanied by pain, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying the condition, and self-medicating should be avoided. On the other hand, during the early stages of pregnancy, a significant rise in hormones can also cause breast swelling and pain. Therefore, if there is a question about an impending menstrual cycle, it is advisable to undergo necessary tests to determine, and if there has been sexual intercourse for half a month, pregnancy can be confirmed through a blood test.

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Written by Wu Shi Ting
Breast Health Department
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What causes postmenopausal breast pain?

Breast pain after menopause is generally temporary and a normal physiological response. It is mainly due to a decrease in the speed of endogenous estrogen secretion, and the breast tissue has not adapted to this change, resulting in localized pain. These symptoms will gradually disappear after menopause is completely stopped, so there is no need to be overly nervous, just make sure to get regular check-ups. However, if breast pain occurs years after menopause, it is necessary to be vigilant as it may indicate a disease. Since postmenopausal elderly women are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, it is advised that patients with postmenopausal breast pain seek timely medical examinations at a hospital.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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What's causing breast swelling, pain, and dizziness?

Breast swelling and pain, dizziness, it may be caused by breast hyperplasia, which can be diagnosed through breast ultrasound or mammography. Breast hyperplasia is mainly related to endocrine disorders in the body, leading to increased levels of estrogen. When the hormone ratio in the body is unbalanced, estrogen levels increase and progesterone secretion decreases, it can lead to incomplete regression after breast hyperplasia, causing breast tissue proliferation. Therefore, the functional state of the ovaries and whether there is disorder play a very important role in the development of the disease. Additionally, it might be related to differences in the quantity and quality of estrogen receptors in the breast tissue, causing uneven levels of breast proliferation and leading to breast swelling.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
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How to regulate premenstrual breast swelling and pain

Before menstruation, estrogen levels rise and the breast tissue becomes congested and swollen, leading to breast pain. At this time, it is recommended for women to maintain a light diet, keep in a pleasant mood, avoid irritability, have regular routines, avoid excessive fatigue, and engage in moderate exercise, among other practices. After menstruation begins, hormone levels decrease, and this type of pain naturally eases without needing much attention. However, if the pain is severe and affects normal life, or if the pain lasts beyond the menstrual period, it is advised to visit a breast surgery specialist 3 to 5 days after the end of the period for an examination.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Does an ectopic pregnancy cause breast tenderness in the early stages?

Ectopic pregnancy, as the name implies, refers to the implantation of the gestational sac outside the uterine cavity, with common implantation sites including the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the pelvic abdomen. Although an ectopic pregnancy is a pathological condition, it still falls within the category of pregnancy. Therefore, the common early pregnancy symptoms, such as those seen in early pregnancy, still occur in ectopic pregnancies. Whether it's an intrauterine pregnancy or an ectopic pregnancy, breast pain during early pregnancy is common in most cases, primarily due to increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in women during early pregnancy. This leads to stimulation of the mammary glands and the proliferation of some mammary ducts, resulting in breast pain, which is normal. However, since the hormone levels in women with ectopic pregnancies are relatively lower, the sensation of breast pain is less than that in normal intrauterine pregnancies.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Can breast distension and pain be treated with moxibustion?

Breast distension pain can be treated with moxibustion, but the results might not always be satisfactory as breast distension pain is related to mammary gland hyperplasia, which is believed to be connected to increased estrogen levels caused by endocrine disorders. Generally, we use traditional Chinese medicine for treatment, which relieves pain through methods that soothe the liver and regulate Qi, and harmonize the thoroughfare and conception vessels. Endocrine treatment is also an option but is used as sparingly as possible. However, it can be administered before menstrual onset in cases where pain is significantly pronounced in the pre-menopausal phase. Regular pelvic ultrasound re-examinations must be conducted during endocrine treatment due to the increased risk of endometrial cancer that this treatment might entail. Treatment with vitamins such as vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E can also be used, as they aid in improving liver function, regulating sex hormone metabolism, and enhancing autonomic nervous system functions, serving as adjunctive medication for this condition. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)