Breast pain before period: Why it happens and how to ease it

Struggling with sore, achy breasts in the run-up to your period? For some people, no matter their breast shape or size, pain in the area can be a monthly annoyance they’ve become used to experiencing. Sure, it might be a useful clue that your period is on its way. But there are also apps like Flo for that, and breast tenderness can be uncomfortable.

If your breasts start to feel sore right before your period, it could be related to your cycle. Some people experience breast tenderness as a part of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). While not everyone will feel this, it’s considered to be pretty typical. That said, pain in your breasts may make it harder to enjoy your usual exercise or to find a comfortable position for sleep at night.

Luckily, there are ways to treat and prevent breast pain. Here, Dr. Jenna Flanagan, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, University of Utah, Utah, US, shares everything you need to know about breast pain before your period, including what causes it and how you can help to ease the symptoms. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about any health issue, reach out to your doctor for a checkup.

Key takeaways

• In many cases, breast pain before your period can be a normal reaction to the hormonal changes happening in your body during your menstrual cycle.
• There are a few other possible causes behind breast tenderness, including pregnancy, injury, noncancerous growths, unsupportive bras, and certain medicines.
• Hormone-related breast pain is rarely a symptom of anything serious such as cancer. But if you also notice a lump, it’s always a good idea to get it checked out by your doctor.
• Depending on what’s at the root of your breast pain, there are different ways to treat it, from medications to at-home remedies. 

Why do some people get breast pain before a period? 

Breast pain — also known as mastalgia — is pretty common and affects as many as 70% of women at some point in their lives. So you’re not alone if it’s a regular visitor each month before your period. Everyone experiences it differently, but just like other premenstrual symptoms such as skin breakouts, mood swings, and cramping, breast pain before your period is thought to be caused by changing hormone levels.

You might start to feel pain, tenderness, or swelling in the run-up to your period, usually after you ovulate (release an egg). This time is known as the luteal phase of your cycle, when the hormone progesterone starts to rise in preparation for you to potentially get pregnant. If you get a similar type of pain or discomfort every month, this is known as cyclical breast pain because it follows a pattern related to your menstrual cycle, says Dr. Flanagan. Having said that, the signs that a period is coming aren’t the same for everyone, and they can even change from month to month.

It can be easy to dismiss discomfort that comes hand in hand with your period because we’re so often told it’s all just part of having ovaries. But regular pain can be difficult to live with, so go easy on yourself and don’t put off talking with your doctor if you want to do something about it.

Hormone-related breast pain usually stops once your period starts, so it can be useful to get an idea of when that’s going to be. A period-tracking app like Flo can alert you to when your next period might be due so you can spot any symptom patterns and feel prepared.

Is breast pain always cycle related?

There are two main types of breast pain:

Cyclic breast pain 

If your breasts start to feel sore right before your period, it’s most likely related to hormonal changes. “Progesterone levels rise in the second half of the menstrual cycle,” explains Dr. Flanagan. “The breast tissue is very sensitive to hormonal fluctuations, especially estrogen and progesterone. The breast tissue reacts, and when it’s more reactive, this can cause the breast to appear larger and be more sensitive.”

Noncyclic breast pain

Noncyclic breast pain is any type of discomfort that doesn’t follow the pattern of your menstrual cycle. “Many things can cause breast pain including masses and trauma to the breast,” says Dr. Flanagan. If the pain is contained in one area, continues for a while, or gets worse, reach out to your doctor, who might suggest you come in for a breast exam to rule out anything more serious. But try not to worry about the possible reason behind it. Breast pain can be caused by a number of things including injury, breastfeeding, stress, or even a bad bra. Certain hormonal medications such as birth control pills can also lead to pain or sensitivity.

How to recognize cyclic breast pain 

Cyclic breast pain usually has the following telltale signs:

• It starts after ovulation. “It would happen around the same time each cycle,” says Dr. Flanagan. Everyone is different, but if your cycle is typically 28 days, then ovulation might happen on or around day 14.
• It feels like a dull, heavy ache. It may be accompanied by breast swelling, fullness, or lumpiness.
• It usually affects both breasts. “Pain-wise, typically it’s both sides,” says Dr. Flanagan. If your breast pain appears to be cyclical, but it’s only on one side, it’s worth seeing your doctor, as it could be caused by a cyst or something similar.
• It might get worse during the two weeks leading up to the start of the period. “[It then] resolves when menstruation occurs or the next part of the cycle starts,” says Dr. Flanagan.

If your breast pain doesn’t sound like it’s cyclic or feels more like a tight, burning, or sharp pain rather than an ache, it’s worth speaking to a health care professional to get it checked out. They’ll be able to look into it and hopefully reassure you.

How to ease breast pain 

Whether you’re experiencing cyclical or noncyclical breast pain, you’ll no doubt be looking for tips to ease the discomfort. As we now know, cyclical breast tenderness tends to pass when your period starts, but in the meantime, there are a number of ways you can manage breast pain before your period:

Take over-the-counter pain relief

The first-line treatment for hormone-related breast pain is often over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, says Dr. Flanagan. Taking medicines such as ibuprofen can provide temporary relief, but if you want longer term options, then discuss it with your doctor. These kinds of meds won’t be suitable for everyone, so before you start taking anything new, it’s a good idea to chat with a health care professional. 

Get your bra fitted

It might sound obvious, but getting your bra fitted professionally to make sure it’s the right size with enough breast support can make a big difference to your comfort levels, particularly when you exercise.

Birth control

One way to help manage breast pain before your period is to try hormonal contraception, like birth control pills. It doesn’t work this way for everyone, but they could help to steady your fluctuating hormone levels. In turn, this may help to dial down premenstrual symptoms, including breast tenderness. Chat with your doctor if this is an option you want to consider. 

If you’re already taking birth control pills and still notice breast pain, there’s a chance your contraception’s hormonal content may actually be causing the soreness. In this case, ask your doctor about trying a different method of birth control or explore other nonhormonal contraceptive options.

Lifestyle changes

Making positive lifestyle changes is important for good health in general, but as a bonus, it may help to ease premenstrual symptoms. If breast pain is interfering with your daily life, try to set aside some time to rest and also try to include some gentle exercise into your routine (don’t forget to wear a good sports bra). 

Allow yourself to indulge in some self-care, too. Taking a relaxing warm bath or practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or mindfulness can be helpful for premenstrual symptoms. And think about what you’re eating and drinking. Some people also notice an improvement in breast pain when they reduce or eliminate caffeine.

Is there anything else to know about breast pain?

If your breast pain is severe and doesn’t improve with any of these steps, make an appointment to see your doctor. They will be able to talk you through other options, such as starting or changing prescription medications. “If the breast pain does not improve with management and is affecting your day-to-day life, it should be [checked],” says Dr. Flanagan. 

“Of course if the pain is associated with a new lump or mass, this is also a reason to be evaluated,” she adds. It’s uncommon for breast pain alone to signal anything more serious, such as cancer, so try not to worry too much.

Breast pain and tenderness might be one of the symptoms we’re told to expect as part of our monthly cycle, but it’s OK to feel affected by it. It can be uncomfortable and even debilitating in some cases, so remember, what you’re feeling is valid. And if it helps to reassure you that you’re not alone, you can chat with like-minded people in the Flo app’s Secret Chats space.