Anyone know what causes extreme breast tenderness (cyclical)?

[Saz432]

I mean I know it’s hormones! But is there a specific hormone that causes this?

I’ve always had painful breasts for a few days before my period but now it’s most of the month (this month it started on day 8, now on day 13 and it’s really painful - even cuddling my kids is super painful, just the pressure of clothes on them hurts).

Before anyone mentions it I am definitely not pregnant, unless I’m about 11 months pregnant! I’ve had a good check there are no lumps and it’s equally sore on both sides. Once my period starts the pain goes, but then it kicks back off as soon as my period finishes and gets worse and worse through the month.

I’m also struggling with other potentially hormone related symptoms - my sex drive is either on or off (usually completely off, but then it will just switch back on for a couple of weeks and then vanish again for another several months - it’s literally all or nothing), my hair is thinning, disproportionate weight gain etc. But I’ve been like this for years and all blood tests have been normal, including hormones which were tested about a year ago. Thyroid normal etc. I have been taking methylfolate after a blood test showed low folate but that’s it. Haven’t been on any hormonal contraception for nearly 5 years.

Considering asking GP to test my hormones again or doing a test myself. Or is this just a normal thing that happens as you approach 40? Very early signs of menopause maybe?

Aside from painkillers can anything help with the pain? I have good well fitting bras but maybe need something different?

It's called mastalgia and is just awful. I sympathise as I have it for two weeks of every month for the past ten years but recently it's ramped up to starting on day 6 of my 28 day cycle, so 3 weeks or so of this agony.

A doctor did tell me that if I lived in France I could buy progesterone cream (I think, this was a few years ago now) to help ease the pain but it's not available where I live. I take Nurofen occasionally but it's too expensive to take it constantly for three weeks out of every 4.

Hot water bottles haven't worked for me, not as Agnus Castus, evening primrose oil, magnesium, cutting out caffeine, alcohol or sugar. I lost two stone and while there was then less area to hurt it still did hurt.

Fingers crossed someone else has a solution. I asked the Gynacologist and she shrugged and said it's just something I have to live with and hope for menopause

I struggled with this, a magnesium supplement at bedtime has helped massively.

I’m so sorry you’re experiencing it too. It’s so so painful. Very similar to the level of pain I had in early pregnancy (although definitely not pregnant).

Interesting that progesterone cream is prescribed elsewhere - so perhaps progesterone level could be low?

I’ve literally just had a prescription for the combined pill as my periods are so bad (I have endometriosis), but as my libido has just returned for the first time since last spring I’m reluctant to take it yet.

I wonder if something like voltarol gel might help? I have some somewhere, will try that.

Thank you, I will try magnesium too and the other things suggested. One of my boys is really cuddly at the moment and it’s awful having to move him away because it hurts so much!

My doctor prescribes vitamin b6 for this.

Interesting - I’ll get some. Just started folate recently due to a deficiency so will add that to the list!

I think it’s related to the estrogen increase after ovulation.

I know it doesn't work for everyone but high strength evening primrose oil has really helped. I've always had sore boobs on and off but as I've entered peri menopause they became excruciating.

I've been taking oep for about a year now and only the very occasional episode

Acupuncture fixed mine, made my periods lighter, pain free, shorter and more regular. Im peri menopausal. It’s private and £50 a go where I am. Totally worth it for the comfort! Acupuncture can do things that the nhs can’t.

To get one session a month I only have to ditch one takeaway coffee a day at work and the savings pay for it.

I also struggle with this for most of the month. It's agony and I completely sympathise.

I'm going to start on the magnesium and b6 as suggested above

I’m sorry so many are suffering with the same thing. I remember it being so bad in early pregnancy I had to walk really slowly as any movement was unbearable. It’s not far off that now to be honest.

I can’t do acupuncture (needle phobic) but will definitely try some supplements.

It’s interesting that it may be due to oestrogen since in the past I’ve had low oestrogen levels but based on other symptoms I think that might have improved. You can’t win with hormones really can you?!

I hear you, it’s just awful. Mine has got much much worse with the peri menopause. I’m in pain a lot and my periods aren’t regular anymore so it’s not even predictable. I can’t bear to even touch my own breasts and even a shower hurts.

I’ve cut out processed foods and sugar recently though and I’ve noticed it’s made a slight difference. Part of that may be some weight loss off the boobs but I’ll take it. It’s gone from unbearable to noticeable but ok.

I suffered with this on the pill. Swapped to the mirena and not a thing after a few months.