PMS Breast Tenderness

PMS breast tenderness is a syndrome which a lot of women probably have a week or so before their menstrual cycle. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is basically referred to as a series of physical and emotional symptoms that the women may suffer a week or two before their menstruation. Dizziness, headaches, mood swings, stomach bloating, food cravings, depression, etc. are some common PMS symptoms that women may develop besides breast swelling and tenderness. Whether it's PMS or menopause breast tenderness, the condition is generally explained as pain, soreness, swelling or discomfort in the breast which at times can be so intense that some women may find it even difficult to touch their breasts and may also experience severe discomfort while sleeping. Though normally the condition stabilizes as the periods ends, in some cases PMS breast soreness and pain can continue for a long period of time and may even give sleepless nights to the suffering women. Hence, in order to deal with this breast tenderness, let us first take a look at its causes and then the various treatment options.

Causes of Breast Tenderness

There are various factors that may result in breast soreness or tenderness during PMS. The main cause for breast pain during PMS is hormonal imbalance. As a woman approaches her menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone (two reproductive hormones in human body) levels start varying in different ways. Usually, if the estrogen level is low and progesterone concentration high in the body, the breasts get bigger in size. The varying hormonal levels can further alter this cycle, making the breasts even bigger and more susceptible to PMS breast pain, swelling, soreness and tenderness. Hence, if hormones are not balanced, and the estrogen concentration in the body is much lower than the progesterone concentration, the condition results in PMS breast tenderness.

Treatment for Tender Breasts

Since hormonal imbalance is the most common cause for breast tenderness during PMS, it is important to maintain a healthy hormonal balance in the body in order to overcome this health problem. Hence, check out the basic treatment options given below.

• Good Breast Support: The first step to relieve the discomfort and tenderness of the breasts is to wear a good bra which can give proper breast support. Especially, while exercising wear a good support bra that can help minimize soreness and swelling.
• Pain Relievers: If the breast pain during PMS is intense, take a pain reliever a day or so before your period. However, frequent intake of pain reliever is not recommended, especially if you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking any medication.
• Dietary Changes: Healthy dietary changes can also help relieving breast pain or discomfort. Avoid eating foods high in salt and sodium as excess of these two elements may lead to additional water retention and swelling which can make the condition even worse. Moreover, research shows women who have less sugar and fatty foods, especially a week or so before their menstruation, experience tremendous decrease in breast tenderness and pain. Hence, restrict foods high in fat and sugar, in your diet 10 - 15 days before your menstruation begins.
• Caffeine: Another common cause is caffeine. Hence, it is strongly recommended to avoid having beverages rich in caffeine especially if you have a history of breast tenderness during PMS.
• Vitamins: Studies reveal that there are certain vitamins that help with PMS symptoms like breast tenderness. Intake of vitamins like vitamin A, B6 and E, help to minimize breast swelling and tenderness by maintaining the hormonal balance in the body.
• Herbs: Dong quai, evening primrose oil, etc. are some natural products that are used by many women across the world to minimize the tenderness and swelling. These herbs are considered to be quite effective in relieving breast pain and discomfort.

Besides the aforementioned treatment measures, drinking enough water or using hot and cold treatments like keeping ice or hot pads on the breasts can also help in relieving the swelling and pain. However, even after trying these treatment options, if there is no change in the condition, it is recommended to consult a doctor to elucidate the case.