The New Intimacy

Treating Breast Tenderness... Help!

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Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
Sore breasts. We all get them at one point or another, most notably during PMS or pregnancy.

I will begin to feel tenderness in my breasts up to a full week before my cycle, and they'll even swell to almost a full cup size bigger sometimes. Normally this just causes minor discomfort, but this month has been almost unbearable. Now my breasts aren't all that big (I wear a B or C cup, depending on the brand of bra), but I have to walk up and downstairs extra slowly because if they bounce in the slightest, I wince in pain. I can't even sleep normally (on my side) because the pain seems to be concentrated in those sides.

So what should I do? What do you normally do to alleviate the pain?
04/11/2010
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Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
Before I switched to my current birth control, my (already oversized) breasts would swell up a cup size or more around my period. I feel your pain, it's not fun!

My doctor told me that the swelling of the breasts is like the rest of the bloating that can happen around your period - extra water being retained in uncomfortable places. The reason it hurts more than regular bloating is because they're hanging from your chest, and your chest isn't used to carrying that extra weight.

I found that being careful to eat a low salt diet when they were about to swell, and through that week often helped - extra salt causes water retention. Getting a little extra exercise sometimes helped. Massaging them morning and evening (and whenever they got really bad) helped the extra fluid work its way back out; they felt a bit better immediately, and kept the ache at bay for a little while.

Worst case? Caffeine is a diuretic. That's part of why they put it in products like Midol - to relieve bloating. Adding another cup or two of tea to your day may help.
04/11/2010
Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
I actually can't have caffeine due to the medication I'm on.

I'm going to try cutting back on the salt to see if that works and more massaging, thanks!
04/11/2010
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
Quote:
Originally posted by Andromeda
I actually can't have caffeine due to the medication I'm on.

I'm going to try cutting back on the salt to see if that works and more massaging, thanks!
I completely understand about medication interactions. They suck, so we find other ways. Good luck dealing with this!
04/11/2010
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Quote:
Originally posted by Andromeda
Sore breasts. We all get them at one point or another, most notably during PMS or pregnancy.

I will begin to feel tenderness in my breasts up to a full week before my cycle, and they'll even swell to almost a full cup size bigger ... more
I have no idea if it's possible in a girl your age - but my wife (in her 40s) was diagnosed with estrogen dominance. One of the symptoms of the condition is PMS that includes overly sensitive breasts. She has been prescribed a progesterone cream to re-balance her estrogen-progesterone hormones.

She noticed improvement almost immediately and after several months her breast tenderness has practically disappeared.
04/13/2010
Contributor: CockGawker CockGawker
Quote:
Originally posted by Andromeda
Sore breasts. We all get them at one point or another, most notably during PMS or pregnancy.

I will begin to feel tenderness in my breasts up to a full week before my cycle, and they'll even swell to almost a full cup size bigger ... more
Here is what I do:

1. Skip the coffee it has methylxanthine - which is awful for mastalgia

2. up my fish oil/omega 3 fatty acids ( great for allergy suffers as well)

3. I'm a CMT to so I do a little manual lymphatic drainage massage self treatment - look it up online and you can find tutorials


Also, some women find progesterone cream helpful.

Good luck and I hope you feel better
04/13/2010
Contributor: oncetwice oncetwice
I might be the only one this works for but here's my take on the problem... I am very large chested (a 36DD in most brands) and generally sleep nude or in just panties which makes the PMS breast tenderness so much worse!

When I start to notice the swelling or discomfort I'll try sleep in a yoga bra (or something similar that will keep the girls wrangled without constricting them and without using any underwire). It seems that the extra freedom they have at night just makes them all the more tender the next day.

Also, I have 2 or 3 bras that are larger than my normal size for wear during certain times of my cycle. I've found that just going up to a 38 DD can increase the cup size incrementally enough. That way there isn't any chance of pinching or slipping from the underwire or the edge of the cup to aggravate my tender ladies. A normal bra just doesn't fit some days!

Of course, the advice to cut out salt is right on - but I have actually been told to avoid the caffeine, so who knows?!
04/14/2010
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
When I was breastfeeding and the breast tenderness was most excruciating the nurses recommended alternating cold and hot compresses. What I did was stand at the sink and wet a face towel with alternating cold and hot water. I would lay the towel across my breasts and let it warm up or cool down then switch. After about three tries the tenderness would ease for a while. I dunno if it will help for PMS but it's non medicative and might provide some relief.
04/30/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
If this is a difference for you then you need to go to a doctor!

Breasts will have pain around you period, that is true. I used to get it bad before I was put on birth control a few months ago to rule out endometriosis.
But if this is an extra painful time, you need to get checked out.
04/30/2010
Contributor: VieuxCarre VieuxCarre
I find that the more my bra lets my breasts move while they're tender, the worse they tend to feel. I invested in a few cheap sports bras to keep them closer to the chest. The restriction keeps my breasts from bouncing as much as they do in my regular bras (I have DD's, so they're rather bouncy anyway) and helps to alleviate some of the tenderness.

Also, consult your doctor before you try any supplements. Your doctor is the one who knows you best. The tenderness can also be from the swelling of the mammary glands that produce milk, which can happen during PMS. Make an appointment to get them checked to rule out any serious issues.
04/30/2010
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
I agree in getting checked out by your MD. I wear a sorts bra during those sensitive times, it helps and I am usually a B cup.
04/30/2010