Breast pain during your period is an unpleasant but normal and expected condition that appears before and during menstruation.

The term “breast pain” refers to any level of discomfort or pain in one or both breasts.

How many days before your period does breast pain start?

If you’re wondering how many days before your period your breasts start to swell, the answer is that painful and swollen breasts up to 15 days before your period are not uncommon. Pain may appear as early as two weeks before your expected period (that is, after ovulation), so you might experience breast pain even when your period is not yet due. In general, pain and swelling follow the same pattern — they usually occur about 1–2 weeks before menstruation.

Breast pain and swelling about 10 days before your period are quite common symptoms that tend to worsen as the days go by and disappear once menstruation starts. Other premenstrual symptoms around 10 days before your period may include fatigue, low libido, mood swings, and headaches.

Why does breast pain occur before your period?

Medicine has not yet fully understood why breasts hurt before menstruation, but it is known that it’s due to sudden changes in hormone levels and breast swelling before your period.

The decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels before menstruation is the main reason for painful and swollen breasts. At the same time, swelling of the lymph nodes may occur, which increases the feeling of discomfort or pain, leading to swollen and tender breasts before your period.

In addition, prolactin is another hormone responsible for breast pain. Although prolactin is primarily the hormone needed for milk production after childbirth, it is constantly present in women’s bodies and can affect the breasts even if a woman hasn’t recently given birth.

What does breast pain feel like?

Breast pain before your period may have one or more of the following characteristics:

- It’s a dull, continuous ache.
- It can occur in one or both breasts.
- Sometimes it radiates to the armpit.
- It’s accompanied by swelling.
- It’s often more intense around the nipple.

This last symptom in particular can make some women anxious, wondering why their nipples hurt. However, nipple pain before menstruation is also a completely normal symptom.

What can I do to reduce or eliminate breast pain?

Pain usually eases or disappears with Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. Birth control pills can also help, as they regulate hormone levels.

To naturally reduce the intensity of the pain, you can wear a more comfortable bra than usual, use a supportive bra during sleep, reduce your intake of caffeine, soft drinks, and salt.

When is breast pain not related to your period?

Sometimes breast pain can occur for reasons unrelated to hormones, such as:

- Injuries or strains in the neck, shoulder, or back areas.
- Side effects of certain birth control pills or antidepressants.
- Conditions such as mastitis or breast abscess (in these cases, there will be additional symptoms besides breast pain).
- Pregnancy.
- Menopause.

When is breast pain not harmless?

If, along with your usual premenstrual breast pain, you notice any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately, as a more serious condition might be present:

- One or more lumps that are painful to the touch.
- Nipple discharge that contains blood or has a foul smell.
- Pain that doesn’t go away after your period and persists for weeks.
- Pain so severe it prevents you from doing daily activities.
- Signs of infection such as fever or redness of the breast.
- One or both breasts have changed shape.
- The skin of the breast looks like “orange peel.”
- The nipple has retracted inward.

 

Sources:

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