I experience really painful breasts every month, for about 10 days before my period. It’s been a problem for years (since mid 20s), and goes through phases of being better and worse. I’m now 40.
During this time, it hurts to lie down, hurts to move my arms, and I can feel painful lumps all around on both sides (symmetrical). The lumps go away as soon as my period starts. This gets me down as I’m aware of the pain all the time. It also affects some activity, E.g. I didn’t do park run today because it would be too painful.
I find it annoying that the medical advice out there (especially NHS) is reassurance that it’s not breast cancer, an explanation of why hormones are responsible, to take painkillers, get a better bra, eat less fat and cut caffeine. Apparently hormonal contraceptives can make it worse (which I don’t use for this reason - I tried in my 20s and they made it worse for me).
Is this really all that can be done? It feels like another example of a male-dominated health system deciding it’s not that important to find a way to treat this.
Anyone else annoyed by this? Anyone else found a good place for help?
Thanks!