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  3. Sore breasts at periods : what can you do to relieve the pain?

Sore breasts at periods : what can you do to relieve the pain?

Sore breasts are a well-known symptom in women's lives. These pains can appear during premenstrual syndrome, but also during periods. The intensity of the pain varies from woman to woman. For some, the discomfort is largely bearable. For others, the pain is so intense that it can disturb sleep.

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Why are breasts painful during periods ?

Fatigue, headaches, mood swings, cramps... These are all symptoms of periods, premenstrual syndrome. Some women also experience sore nipples during menstruation.

Hormone-induced upheaval

Hormonal imbalance can be one of the main causes of sensitive breasts. In fact, the mammary ducts widen as a result of the production of large quantities of estrogen at the start of the menstrual cycle, which peaks before the middle of the cycle. This is why some women experience mastodynia 15 days before periods. Progesterone levels peak around day 21 of the cycle (in a typical 28-day cycle), triggering mammary gland growth. The combined growth of these two hormones creates sensitive nipples. But painful breasts during menstrual discharge can also be linked to other factors.

Food or genetic heritage

Diet plays a vital role in our well-being and our lives. Naturally, certain foods will influence breast sensitivity. Family and genetic factors can also complicate matters.

How can I relieve breast pain during periods ?

To help you cope with this period of your cycle, there are several tips for relieving breast pain during periods.

A diet rich in fiber and essential fatty acids

As I'm sure you already know, diet is a key tool for better daily living, especially in the case of menstrual disorders. Here are a few tips from the Elia team:

  • Eating a balanced diet with vitamin-rich foods such as almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts, which are rich in vitamin E, and bananas, mushrooms and shiitake, which are rich in B6, helps reduce menstrual pain.
  • Foods containing soy also have many virtues, such as reducing hormonal fluctuations and therefore sensitive nipples;
  • We also recommend avoiding foods that are too high in fat or salt. These will promote water retention, which can be linked to breast pain.
  • Finally, a specific treatment based on food supplements cannot be ruled out.

A break from caffeine

Coffee lovers beware: to relieve pain, it's best to avoid coffee. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, which can worsen some of the effects of PMS and make breast pain even worse.

Wear comfortable clothing

If you suffer from mastodynia, it's best to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to avoid chafing. A simple trick to counteract swollen or uncomfortable breasts during periods is not to wear a bra. In fact, the no-bra has many advantages, such as not having your ribcage compressed in your bra. If you're not comfortable with no-bra, you can opt for a bra that will support you without compressing you. l

Natural treatments and grandmother's remedies

Moisturizing and massaging the chest can help reduce breast pain. Massages will help blood and lymph circulation. Massages can be performed in the shower. For even greater effectiveness, massages can be performed with coconut, almond or evening primrose oil. Essential oils can also help relieve pain. Clary sage essential oil accelerates blood circulation and stimulates estrogen production. Bay laurel oil is also suitable, as it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

The most important thing: taking care of yourself

Stress in general has an impact on health, on periods, and intrinsically on PMS and breast pain. So take care of yourself by practicing activities that are good for your health and your body, that release endorphins and help you to relax, such as sport, which helps to reduce stress, yoga, sophrology and meditation, which helps you to unwind.

What are the other causes of chest pain?

Most of the time, sore nipples are a sign of the different phases of the menstrual cycle. But if this discomfort persists beyond the period surrounding menstruation, it may be worth investigating other potential causes. Indeed, the breasts are a fragile area of the body that deserves to be observed, palpated and touched to prevent certain diseases. Self-palpation is important for preventing breast cancer. Pain in the breast or similar signs can have other causes, such as: menopause, pregnancy, breast-feeding, size, which also makes generous breasts painful, mammary cysts, etc. If the phenomenon is too disabling on a daily basis, don't hesitate to consult your doctor or gynecologist, who will be able to guide you towards appropriate solutions.


The FAQ for breast pain during periods

Why does my chest hurt before I have my periods ?

The hormonal changes that occur as menstruation approaches can make nipples painful. The pain and its intensity vary from woman to woman. In fact, breast pain before menstrual discharge is part of a group of symptoms known as PMS.

Why does it hurt to breastfeed at periods ?

Pain during periods is very common. It is the result of the combination of two hormones: estrogen, which peaks on day 14, and progesterone, which peaks on day 21. Progesterone causes the mammary glands to grow.

Does periods make your breasts larger?

When you have your periods, you may feel that your breasts are swollen and larger than usual. In fact, it's the enlargement of the mammary ducts, combined with the production of estrogen, that creates this sensation of swelling.

Is it normal to have chest pain 15 days before periods ?

Sore breasts 15 days before menstruation are the result of the estrogen peak that begins to fall just after ovulation, in the second half of the cycle.



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