Breast Pain and Your Menstrual Period: Is It Normal?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are the Symptoms of Menstrual Breast Pain?What Causes Menstrual Breast Pain?How Is Menstrual Breast Pain Diagnosed?TreatmentSelf-CareWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Are the Symptoms of Menstrual Breast Pain?

What Causes Menstrual Breast Pain?

How Is Menstrual Breast Pain Diagnosed?

Treatment

Self-Care

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Frequently Asked Questions

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. And most of the time, they’re right.

Cyclical breast painrefers to breast pain that comes and goes with amenstrual cycle. While it’s very common, the exact cause is unknown. Breast pain usually starts about three to five days before a period, but can start as many as 10 days before.

Physicians and researchers suspect that breast 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

breast pain and your period

Besides aches or pains, symptoms of cyclical breast pain can include breast tenderness, swelling, and tingling in one or both breasts.

These feelings may intensify just before menstruation and then gradually taper off during and after a period. For some women, breast pain lasts throughout their cycle and varies in intensity.

Women may have pain in one breast or both. But many women feel pain that is much worse in one breast over the other. And as women get older, the pain occurs less regularly and stops atmenopause.

Perhaps you’ve been told that your breasts arefibrocystic, which means you have noncancerous changes that give your breasts a lumpy or rope-like texture. If so, you may notice the formation of small bumps on one or both breasts during your period.

Breast Pain and Your Menstrual Period: Is It Normal?

Your levels ofestrogenandprogesteronenormally fluctuate during your menstrual cycle. These important hormones prepare your breasts andreproductive systemfor potential pregnancy.

The tissues in your breasts respond to these hormones and are believed to be responsible for cyclical breast pain.

Cyclical breast pain is typicallynotasymptom of breast cancer, especially if there are no other associated symptoms.Breast cancer symptoms often, but not always, include the discovery of a lump in a breast or the underarm, breast thickening or swelling, and nipple discharge.

Breast cysts, fibrocystic changes, and breastfibroadenomasmay cause fluctuating breast pain, even though all of these are benign breast conditions.

Try Not To Be FearfulMost of the time, breast pain is not associated with breast cancer, even when the pain is noncyclical. A large study found that of women who sought medical care for breast pain, only 0.2% had breast cancer.

Try Not To Be Fearful

Most of the time, breast pain is not associated with breast cancer, even when the pain is noncyclical. A large study found that of women who sought medical care for breast pain, only 0.2% had breast cancer.

If you’re worried about monthly breast pain and you’re not sure whether it’s related to yourmenstrual period, try keeping a breast pain chart. Rating the pain’s severity, as well as when it begins and ends, can help clarify whether your breast pain is cyclical and narrow down the potential causes.

Breast pain can significantly affect your quality of life. Seeing your healthcare provider is a good idea both for a proper diagnosis and to learn more about managing the discomfort.

Your healthcare provider may conduct a clinical breast exam, amammogramand/or anultrasound studyor MRI (if you have an increasedrisk of developing breast cancer).

Having a family history of breast cancer increases the risk. Still, it’s important to remember that most women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.

Breast Cancer in Young Women

How Is Menstrual Breast Pain Treated?

Discuss your options with your trusted healthcare provider. You may find relief in some unexpected places.

Stop Period Pain Immediately: How to Take Care of Yourself

Try a New Bra

If your bra isn’t supportive enough, the ligaments that connect your breasts to the wall of your chest can overstretch and grow painful. You may notice the pain is particularly worse when exercising or going down stairs.

Asupport bramayreduce the bounce and sway of breast tissue during your menstrual period and lessen breast pain. Or, you may find more comfort in a light camisole. Either way, you’ll need to make sure your bra is the correct size. If you aren’t sure, consider getting a professional bra fitting.

Vitamins and Dietary Supplements

A few of the alternative treatments that have been evaluated to some degree includeevening primrose oil(gamolenicacid),vitex agnus-castus(also known as chasteberry), vitamin E, and vitamin B6.

A 2018 double-blinded randomized controlled study looked at the ability of chamomile drops to improve cyclical breast pain.

The supplement was found to be safe, well tolerated, and effective at reducing moderate cyclical breast pain.

But look before you leap—and consult your healthcare provider first. They may seem harmless, but herbs and vitamins could interact with other drugs you’re taking.

Evening Primrose Oil Benefits and Risks

Prescription Medications

Prescription medications that can be helpful include the topical anti-inflammatory medication Topricin (diclofenac).

For severe breast pain related to periods, other options include Parlodel (bromocriptine), tamoxifen, or Danazol (danacrine).

Some combinations ofbirth control pillsmay also help reduce menstrual-related breast pain. Work closely with your healthcare provider to choose the one that works best for you based on your particular symptoms.

Keep in mind that getting relief often involves trial and error. It’s common for women to try several different types of pills before finding the one that works best for them.

Slim Down

Research shows that obesity is a risk factor for breast pain. In fact, any weight gain at all can increase your risk.For some people, losing weight can reduce breast pain significantly, and may even be the only treatment they need. Even a 2- or 3-pound weight loss can helpreduce breast pain.

Some tips can relieve yourbreast painduring your menstrual period:

Cyclical breast pain isnotassociated with poor lifestyle or dietary habits.

If breast pain is limiting your activities, especially if it’s severe, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. You want the peace of mind of knowing that it’s nothing serious.

It may help to know that breast cancer in a painful breast with no other symptoms is rare.In addition to breast pain, other typical breast cancer symptoms include:

See your healthcare provider for an evaluation if you notice any of these symptoms in addition to breast pain.

Note that breast pain is a common symptom in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. In many cases, pregnancy-related breast pain begins one to two weeks afterconception, even before the first missed period. As such, many people mistake it for cyclic (menstrual-related) breast pain.

Notably, breast pain due to pregnancy often occurs with nipple pain and sensitivity. If you are also experiencing these symptoms and there is a chance you could be pregnant, take a pregnancy test or give your healthcare provider a call.

Summary

Cyclical breast pain refers to breast pain that comes and goes with themenstrual cycle. Besides aches or pains, you may experience breast tenderness, swelling, and tingling in one or both breasts. Often, these symptoms intensify just before menstruation and then gradually taper off during and after a period.

Several self-care tips may make the situation more bearable for you. If not, see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis and other treatment options.

Frequently Asked QuestionsCyclical breast pain is usually not a sign of breast cancer. If you have no other symptoms other than pain, the chances of breast cancer are extremely low. On the other hand, if your breast pain is associated with a new lump, breast swelling, skin changes, nipple discharge, or other nipple changes, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.It depends on why you missed your period. Breast pain can be an early sign of pregnancy. Also, certain birth control medications can be associated with breast pain. If you develop irregular periods, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider and discuss whether testing is necessary.

Cyclical breast pain is usually not a sign of breast cancer. If you have no other symptoms other than pain, the chances of breast cancer are extremely low. On the other hand, if your breast pain is associated with a new lump, breast swelling, skin changes, nipple discharge, or other nipple changes, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

It depends on why you missed your period. Breast pain can be an early sign of pregnancy. Also, certain birth control medications can be associated with breast pain. If you develop irregular periods, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider and discuss whether testing is necessary.

13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast pain: 10 reasons your breasts may hurt.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast pain (mastalgia).Jokich PM, Bailey L, D’Orsi C, et al.ACR appropriateness criteria® breast pain.J Am Coll Radiol. 2017;14(5S):S25-S33. doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2017.01.028Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of breast cancer.Walker S, Hyde C, Hamilton W.Risk of breast cancer in symptomatic women in primary care: A case-control study using electronic records.Br J Gen Pract. 2014;64(629):e788-e793. doi:10.3399/bjgp14X682873Brewer HR, Jones ME, Schoemaker MJ, Ashworth A, Swerdlow AJ.Family history and risk of breast cancer: An analysis accounting for family structure.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2017;165(1):193–200. doi:10.1007/s10549-017-4325-2Saghafi N, Rhkhshandeh H, Pourmoghadam N, et al.Effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract on pain control of cyclic mastalgia: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;38(1):81-84. doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1322045Nirhale DS, Dhende M, Shingade P, Chavan S, Sonawane T, Kulkarni G.A study on clinical profile and management of mastalgia.Intl Surg J.2018;5(5):1889. doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20181604Çomçalı B, Kocaoz S, Özdemir B, Ömer P, Korukluoğlu B.Effects of sagging breasts and other risk factors associated with mastalgia: a case-control study.Sci Rep. 2021 Jan;11(1):2620. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82099-2American Institute for Cancer Research.Limit consumption of red and processed meat.Idiz C, Cakir C, Ulusoy AL, Idiz UO.The role of nutrition in women with benign cyclic mastalgia: a case-control study.Euro J Breast Health. 2018;14(3):156-159. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2018.3827Cook N, Batt J, Fowler C.Symptomatic breast cancers and why breast pain may not always need clinical review.Eur J Breast Health. 2020 Oct;16(4):267-269. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2020.5730Penn Medicine.Is it PMS or am I pregnant?.Additional ReadingKoo M, Von Wagner C, Abel G, et al.Typical and atypical presenting symptoms of breast cancer and their associations with diagnostic intervals: evidence from a national audit of cancer diagnosis.Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;48:140-146. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.04.010Sharma N, Gupta A, Jha P, Rajput P.Mastalgia cured! Randomized trial comparing centchroman to evening primrose oil.Breast J. 2012;18(5):509-510. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4741.2012.01288.x

13 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast pain: 10 reasons your breasts may hurt.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast pain (mastalgia).Jokich PM, Bailey L, D’Orsi C, et al.ACR appropriateness criteria® breast pain.J Am Coll Radiol. 2017;14(5S):S25-S33. doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2017.01.028Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of breast cancer.Walker S, Hyde C, Hamilton W.Risk of breast cancer in symptomatic women in primary care: A case-control study using electronic records.Br J Gen Pract. 2014;64(629):e788-e793. doi:10.3399/bjgp14X682873Brewer HR, Jones ME, Schoemaker MJ, Ashworth A, Swerdlow AJ.Family history and risk of breast cancer: An analysis accounting for family structure.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2017;165(1):193–200. doi:10.1007/s10549-017-4325-2Saghafi N, Rhkhshandeh H, Pourmoghadam N, et al.Effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract on pain control of cyclic mastalgia: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;38(1):81-84. doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1322045Nirhale DS, Dhende M, Shingade P, Chavan S, Sonawane T, Kulkarni G.A study on clinical profile and management of mastalgia.Intl Surg J.2018;5(5):1889. doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20181604Çomçalı B, Kocaoz S, Özdemir B, Ömer P, Korukluoğlu B.Effects of sagging breasts and other risk factors associated with mastalgia: a case-control study.Sci Rep. 2021 Jan;11(1):2620. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82099-2American Institute for Cancer Research.Limit consumption of red and processed meat.Idiz C, Cakir C, Ulusoy AL, Idiz UO.The role of nutrition in women with benign cyclic mastalgia: a case-control study.Euro J Breast Health. 2018;14(3):156-159. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2018.3827Cook N, Batt J, Fowler C.Symptomatic breast cancers and why breast pain may not always need clinical review.Eur J Breast Health. 2020 Oct;16(4):267-269. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2020.5730Penn Medicine.Is it PMS or am I pregnant?.Additional ReadingKoo M, Von Wagner C, Abel G, et al.Typical and atypical presenting symptoms of breast cancer and their associations with diagnostic intervals: evidence from a national audit of cancer diagnosis.Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;48:140-146. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.04.010Sharma N, Gupta A, Jha P, Rajput P.Mastalgia cured! Randomized trial comparing centchroman to evening primrose oil.Breast J. 2012;18(5):509-510. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4741.2012.01288.x

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast pain: 10 reasons your breasts may hurt.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast pain (mastalgia).Jokich PM, Bailey L, D’Orsi C, et al.ACR appropriateness criteria® breast pain.J Am Coll Radiol. 2017;14(5S):S25-S33. doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2017.01.028Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of breast cancer.Walker S, Hyde C, Hamilton W.Risk of breast cancer in symptomatic women in primary care: A case-control study using electronic records.Br J Gen Pract. 2014;64(629):e788-e793. doi:10.3399/bjgp14X682873Brewer HR, Jones ME, Schoemaker MJ, Ashworth A, Swerdlow AJ.Family history and risk of breast cancer: An analysis accounting for family structure.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2017;165(1):193–200. doi:10.1007/s10549-017-4325-2Saghafi N, Rhkhshandeh H, Pourmoghadam N, et al.Effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract on pain control of cyclic mastalgia: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;38(1):81-84. doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1322045Nirhale DS, Dhende M, Shingade P, Chavan S, Sonawane T, Kulkarni G.A study on clinical profile and management of mastalgia.Intl Surg J.2018;5(5):1889. doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20181604Çomçalı B, Kocaoz S, Özdemir B, Ömer P, Korukluoğlu B.Effects of sagging breasts and other risk factors associated with mastalgia: a case-control study.Sci Rep. 2021 Jan;11(1):2620. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82099-2American Institute for Cancer Research.Limit consumption of red and processed meat.Idiz C, Cakir C, Ulusoy AL, Idiz UO.The role of nutrition in women with benign cyclic mastalgia: a case-control study.Euro J Breast Health. 2018;14(3):156-159. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2018.3827Cook N, Batt J, Fowler C.Symptomatic breast cancers and why breast pain may not always need clinical review.Eur J Breast Health. 2020 Oct;16(4):267-269. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2020.5730Penn Medicine.Is it PMS or am I pregnant?.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast pain: 10 reasons your breasts may hurt.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast pain (mastalgia).

Jokich PM, Bailey L, D’Orsi C, et al.ACR appropriateness criteria® breast pain.J Am Coll Radiol. 2017;14(5S):S25-S33. doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2017.01.028

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of breast cancer.

Walker S, Hyde C, Hamilton W.Risk of breast cancer in symptomatic women in primary care: A case-control study using electronic records.Br J Gen Pract. 2014;64(629):e788-e793. doi:10.3399/bjgp14X682873

Brewer HR, Jones ME, Schoemaker MJ, Ashworth A, Swerdlow AJ.Family history and risk of breast cancer: An analysis accounting for family structure.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2017;165(1):193–200. doi:10.1007/s10549-017-4325-2

Saghafi N, Rhkhshandeh H, Pourmoghadam N, et al.Effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract on pain control of cyclic mastalgia: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;38(1):81-84. doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1322045

Nirhale DS, Dhende M, Shingade P, Chavan S, Sonawane T, Kulkarni G.A study on clinical profile and management of mastalgia.Intl Surg J.2018;5(5):1889. doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20181604

Çomçalı B, Kocaoz S, Özdemir B, Ömer P, Korukluoğlu B.Effects of sagging breasts and other risk factors associated with mastalgia: a case-control study.Sci Rep. 2021 Jan;11(1):2620. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82099-2

American Institute for Cancer Research.Limit consumption of red and processed meat.

Idiz C, Cakir C, Ulusoy AL, Idiz UO.The role of nutrition in women with benign cyclic mastalgia: a case-control study.Euro J Breast Health. 2018;14(3):156-159. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2018.3827

Cook N, Batt J, Fowler C.Symptomatic breast cancers and why breast pain may not always need clinical review.Eur J Breast Health. 2020 Oct;16(4):267-269. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2020.5730

Penn Medicine.Is it PMS or am I pregnant?.

Koo M, Von Wagner C, Abel G, et al.Typical and atypical presenting symptoms of breast cancer and their associations with diagnostic intervals: evidence from a national audit of cancer diagnosis.Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;48:140-146. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.04.010Sharma N, Gupta A, Jha P, Rajput P.Mastalgia cured! Randomized trial comparing centchroman to evening primrose oil.Breast J. 2012;18(5):509-510. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4741.2012.01288.x

Sharma N, Gupta A, Jha P, Rajput P.Mastalgia cured! Randomized trial comparing centchroman to evening primrose oil.Breast J. 2012;18(5):509-510. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4741.2012.01288.x

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Try Not To Be Fearful#

How Is Menstrual Breast Pain Treated?#

Try a New Bra#

Vitamins and Dietary Supplements#

Prescription Medications#

Slim Down#

Summary#