Do you wake up to swollen breasts right before your period due date? Does breast pain make shark week even worse for you? Well, if your delicate darlings give you some trouble during periods, you’re not alone. According to a study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, more than 50% of women suffer from breast soreness before and after periods. It’s referred to as cyclical mastalgia and occurs at a specific time during your menstrual cycle. Here’s everything you need to know about why it happens and how to deal with it:
Breast Soreness Before Periods: Why It Happens
Breast soreness before periods is a fairly common symptom of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It occurs a week or two before your periods due to hormonal fluctuations in the body. The estrogen levels rise drastically in the first half of your menstrual cycle before ovulation and drop again right before your periods. This can make your breast ducts enlarged and cause pain, tenderness, and swelling in the breasts before or during the initial days of your period. The pain usually subsides within a day or two after the menstrual bleeding starts. However, if it’s too intense or lasts longer, you must consult with your doc.
Breast Soreness After Periods: Why It Happens
Along with estrogen, the levels of pregnancy-supporting hormone–progesterone–also increase during the first half of your menstrual cycle. This can cause the milk ducts in your breasts to swell up and lead to breast soreness after periods. This too subsides as the progesterone levels begin to fall again.
Symptoms Of Breast Soreness Before & After Periods
Folks, breast pain should not be taken lightly unless your doc gives you a clean chit. However, you can check for these symptoms of breast soreness before and after periods to figure out if the pain in your boobs is simply a period side-effect:
-Dull aching in the breasts.
-Tenderness and heaviness in both breasts.
-The pain starts a week before your period or after your period is over and subsides within a day or two.
-Dense, coarse or swollen breasts.
-Increased nipple sensitivity.
How To Deal With Breast Pain Before & After Periods
Breast soreness before and during periods can be quite painful and difficult to deal with. But these easy home remedies can help take the edge off it:
Wear A Comfortable Bra
A supportive bra that gives your delicate darlings some space to breathe can work wonders if you suffer from breast soreness before or after periods. So keep your lacey or padded favourites aside and go for cotton bras during the tough times.
Warm Compress
Using a warm compress on your breasts can lower inflammation and swelling and help your breast muscles relax. Make sure to use a hot water bottle or a heating pad at a moderate temperature to prevent getting a burn.
Avoid Alcohol & Caffeine
Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages can worsen breast soreness before and after periods. Theyl cause blood vessels to dilate, which can make the breasts swell up. So it is best to ditch these beverages for herbed teas and water instead.
Decrease Your Salt Intake
Salt is high in sodium that can cause water retention that can aggravate the soreness in your breasts as the breast tissue will hold on to extra fluid too. So make sure to cut down on salty foods before the time when breast pain usually starts for you.
Work Out
Exercises like low-intensity stretches and medium-paced walks can boost blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and reduce breast pain before or after periods too. Even if you don’t feel like getting out of bed during that time of the month, you can practice a few stretches while lying on bed for some relief.
We’re sure that these tips to deal with breast soreness before and after periods will help reduce the pain and keep you comfier during that time of the month.
Featured Image: Pexels
Also Read
Reasons for Delayed Period: Wondering why your period is late? Read this to find the answer.
Home Remedies for Period Pain: These effective home remedies will help you power through a painful period like a champ.:
Home Remedies for Period Back Pain: Struggling with period back pain? Here’s what to do.
How to Use Sanitary Pads: A beginner’s guide to using sanitary pads like a pro.
