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Many physical and hormonal changes are seen in the body a few days before the start of menstruation in women. The most common and troubling problem among these is heaviness, swelling, sensitivity and severe pain in the breasts. Most of the women who go through this special phase of the cycle every month have this question in their mind that why does this happen even before the periods? According to medical science and health experts, behind this entire process there is a very deep and direct connection between the two most important hormones of our body – Estrogen and Progesterone. If you also struggle with this pain and discomfort every month, then it is very important to know how the fluctuations of these hormones within your body affect your physical condition and what measures you should take to get relief from it.
A menstrual cycle occurs every 28 to 35 days in the body of women, in controlling which the hormones secreted by the ovaries play a major role. Estrogen and progesterone levels constantly rise and fall during this cycle. After ovulation, when there are only a few days left for the period to arrive, there are huge fluctuations in the levels of these two hormones. Estrogen hormone works to dilate the milk ducts of the breast, while progesterone hormone is responsible for shaping the milk glands and causing swelling in them. When the levels of both of these are at their peak, water and fluids start accumulating in the breast tissues, due to which the breasts feel heaviness, swelling and pain when touched.
In medical language, this pain and swelling that occurs before periods is called ‘Premenstrual Mastodynia’ or ‘Cyclic Breast Pain’. Talking about its symptoms, just one or two weeks before the period starts, women may feel heaviness, tenderness, needle-like pain in both their breasts and discomfort while wearing undergarments. Sometimes this pain also spreads to the armpit. The good thing is that this pain gradually goes away on its own with the start of menstruation or after it ends. However, this cycle regularly troubles women physically and mentally every month.
In most cases, cyclical breast pain is completely normal and natural, caused by hormonal changes. But if this pain is severe in a particular part of only one breast, persists for the rest of the month, or any kind of abnormal discharge or lump is felt from the breast, then it should not be ignored at all. It can also be a sign of some other medical problem, so you should immediately contact a gynecologist and get mammography or ultrasound done. To get relief from common hormonal pain, women can make some small changes in their lifestyle and diet.
Some easy home and lifestyle tips can prove to be very effective in reducing breast pain and swelling that occurs before periods. First, limit caffeine (coffee, tea) and salt in your diet, as caffeine and excess sodium increase water and fluid retention in the body, which increases swelling and pain. Additionally, include green leafy vegetables, fruits, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Wearing a sports bra of right size and good fitting also provides support to the breasts and due to less movement, there is a lot of relief in pain. Doing light exercise and yoga regularly also helps in maintaining hormonal balance.