Why Do Boobs Hurt Before Your Period? Causes and Relief Tips

Breasts hurt before a period because of hormone changes, mainly estrogen and progesterone, that cause tissue to swell.

Why

After ovulation, progesterone and estrogen rise. They cause milk ducts and glands to swell and hold fluid, so breasts feel tender and heavy.

Timing

Pain starts about 1 week before a period and fades when it begins. About 70% of women have cyclical breast pain.

Relief

• Supportive bra.
• Cut back on caffeine and salt.
• NSAIDs.
• Warm or cold compress.

See a doctor

If you find a lump, have nipple discharge or pain in one spot that doesn’t fade.

Hormones

After ovulation, progesterone and estrogen rise and fall. These hormones cause breast tissue to swell with fluid and enlarge milk ducts and glands, causing tenderness, a heavy feeling and lumps that come and go. Cyclical breast pain (mastalgia) affects up to 70% of women at some point, according to studies.

Timing

It typically starts a week or two before the period and eases once bleeding begins. Pain is usually in both breasts, mostly the upper outer parts, and may spread to the armpits.

Other triggers

• Starting or changing hormonal birth control or hormone therapy.
• Caffeine and high salt intake, though evidence is mixed.
• Ill-fitting bras.
• Stress.
• Medicines such as certain antidepressants and diuretics.
• Pregnancy, where breast tenderness is an early symptom.

Fibrocystic changes

Lumpy, tender breasts due to benign fibrocystic changes are common in women of reproductive age.

Relief

• A well fitted supportive bra, including at night.
• Warm or cold compresses.
• Over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Reducing caffeine and salt.
• Evening primrose oil is popular, but studies show little benefit.
• Vitamin E and B6 have limited evidence.
• Prescription options include tamoxifen or danazol for severe cases, with side effects.

When to see a doctor

New breast lump, pain in one spot that does not go away, nipple discharge (especially bloody), skin dimpling or redness, or pain that does not vary with your cycle. Breast pain alone is rarely a sign of cancer.

Screening

Follow mammogram guidelines. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening every two years from ages 40 to 74.

Hormones and cyclical changes

Breast pain before a period, called cyclic mastalgia, is related to the rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone, which cause the breast ducts and glands to swell and retain fluid in the second half of the cycle. The pain usually peaks in the days before the period and eases when bleeding starts. Fibrocystic changes, lumpy or ropy tissue with cysts, affect up to half of women and often feel worse before a period. Caffeine reduction has weak evidence, but some women feel better.

Relief and screening

A well fitted supportive bra, including a sports bra at night, warm or cold compresses, NSAIDs and reducing salt may help. Some evidence suggests evening primrose oil has little benefit beyond placebo. See a doctor if you find a new lump that stays after your period, notice nipple discharge, skin dimpling, redness, or pain in one spot that persists. The American Cancer Society recommends women have the choice to begin annual mammograms from 40, and yearly screening at 45 to 54.

Based on data from the American Cancer Society and ACOG