Is It Normal to Experience Sore Breasts Before, During, or After Your Period?

In this article:

• Types of Breast Pain
• How to Help Ease Breast Pain
• When to Speak to Your Doctor
• FAQs

Types of Breast Pain

There are two types of breast pain, namely, cyclical and non-cyclical breast pain. Cyclical breast pain is related to your menstrual cycle. Non-cyclical breast pain is not.

Cyclical Breast Pain

Cyclical breast pain is very common. It can occur at any age after the start of a woman’s periods and before they stop (menopause). The pain can begin up to two weeks before a period but may feel at its worst, 2 to 3 days before the start of a period. It typically/usually goes away at the end of your period.

The severity of pain can differ from month to month. It can be mild for many women or severe for some women. Breasts may also feel swollen and lumpy, with a dull, heavy or aching pain that may spread to the armpit. This type of breast pain usually affects both breasts.

It is thought to be associated with the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle.

Non-Cyclical Breast Pain

Non-cyclical breast pain occurs more commonly in women after the age of 40. It can occur all the time or come and go randomly. You could feel it in only one breast or both, or in one area of a breast.

Some of the causes of non-cyclical breast pain can include:

• Mastitis, when the breasts become hot, swollen and painful. This condition is most common in women who are breastfeeding, due to a build-up of milk. But it can also occur in non-breastfeeding women and men, due to tissue damage, implants, or an infection.
• An abscess in your breast.
• Back, shoulder, and neck injuries, or sprains that can be felt as breast pain.
• Pregnancy may cause breasts to swell and feel tender.
• Breastfeeding can cause breast pain.
• Hormonal changes while going through menopause.
• Medication such as some antidepressants and the contraceptive pill.
• Surgery or an injury to the chest or breast may cause breast pain.

How to Help Ease Breast Pain

To help ease breast pains there are several things you can try at home, but if your breast pain does not improve, you should see your GP. You can:

Take Over-the-Counter Painkillers

If you're not pregnant or breastfeeding, to help ease mild breast pain, you can take Ibuprofen or paracetamol. Please speak to your doctor before taking any medication if you're pregnant or breastfeeding and experiencing breast pain.

Wear a comfortable daytime bra that's been properly fitted and wear a soft bra when you go to sleep at night. If you have large breasts and play sport, it’s important to use well-fitted sports bra’s that provide adequate support. Many women find this very helpful in relieving their breast pain.

Vitamin E or Evening Primrose Oil

You may have heard that taking evening primrose oil, or vitamin E tablets, can help with breast pain. While some women may find this helpful, there's very little evidence to support its effectiveness.

Hot and cold compress

A compress, consisting of a cloth soaked in cold or warm water, can be placed over the breast to soothe pain. This can also be used at night before going to sleep. A warm compress is helpful if you’re breastfeeding as it may improve milk flow. Taking a warm shower or bath might also help with milk flow.

Healthy lifestyle choices

Reducing how much tea or coffee you drink and eating a healthy, balanced diet, along with regular exercise may help with symptoms of PMS and breast pain. Cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking can also help with PMS symptoms. Reducing your stress may help to ease breast pain. Try to relax, rest and drink plenty of fluids.

When to Speak to Your Doctor

Breast pain isn’t usually a sign of anything serious. Breast pain by itself is generally not an early sign of cancer. The first symptom of breast cancer is more often a painless lump in the breast. It’s important to examine your breasts regularly. Ask your GP or nurse to explain the best way to examine your breasts if you’re unsure.

Speak to your GP if:

• You have breast pain and painkillers aren’t helping
• You have a family history of breast cancer
• You’re showing signs of pregnancy (you can take a pregnancy test to check)

If you’re very worried about your breast pain or have the following signs along with breast pain, ask for an urgent appointment with your doctor or call 111:

• you also have a very high temperature or feel hot and shivery
• any part of your breast is red, hot or swollen
• there's a hard lump in your breast that does not move around
• you have fluid coming out of your nipple (discharge), which may be streaked with blood
• either or both of your breasts have changed shape
• the skin on your breast is dimpled (like orange peel)
• you have a rash on or around your nipple, or the nipple has sunk into your breast

FAQs

Is it Normal to Have Breast Pain Before Your Period? 

It is common to have breast pain before your period. You can start to get pain up to two weeks before menstruation. The breast pain may get worse leading up to your period and go away afterwards.

Can Premenstrual Syndrome Cause a Sharp Pain in the Breast?

Breast pain can vary in severity and feel different for each woman. It may feel dull, aching or like a heaviness in both breasts. Your breasts might also feel swollen or lumpy, or you may feel a tightness or burning sensation in one or both breasts. Breast tenderness is a common symptom of PMS, but if the sensation is new or different to what you normally feel, or you are concerned, you should speak to a doctor.

Can Medication make breast pain worse?

If you’re taking the contraceptive pill or are on HRT, this may make cyclical breast pain worse. Some blood pressure medications and antidepressants may also worsen cyclical breast pain. It’s best to speak to your GP if you think your medication could be causing your breast pain.

What Does it Mean if One of My Breasts is Hurting?

Breast pain can sometimes be unrelated to your period or non-cyclical. This type of pain might be felt in only one breast or an area of a breast. This is known as non-cyclical breast pain and may be caused by mastitis, a breast abscess or possibly neck shoulder or back sprain, or injury that can be felt in the breast. If you’re pregnant or experiencing hormone changes during menopause, taking medicines such as the contraceptive pill or some antidepressants, then it’s possible that you may feel breast pain, which is unrelated to your periods.

This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your healthcare professional.

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