BREAST DISCOMFORT

Who gets it?

Breast pain and tenderness are common and affect seven out of ten women at some point in their lives.

What causes it?

There are three types of breast pain.

• Monthly or cyclical breast pain is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome. The breasts can become swollen and tender before your period starts. This type of breast pain is caused by hormone changes during your monthly period and can also occur along with bloating, fluid retention, and mood swings.
• Irregular or non-cyclical breast pain is not related to the monthly period and can occur at any time. The pain can sometimes be quite bad but it usually goes by itself after a few weeks or months.
• Breast discomfort in the first three months of pregnancy is quite common.

Breast discomfort and pain alone are not usually a sign of any serious problem.

How can I help myself?

• Try simple painkillers. Your choice should be determined by whether or not you are pregnant. It is safe to take paracetamol during pregnancy but if you are not pregnant you can also try aspirin or ibuprofen.
• Find a good support bra similar to those joggers wear. Some women find wearing a bra to bed also helps relieve the pain.
• Try exposing your breasts to heat and/or cold. Some women find that bathing their breasts with cold water helps. Others find that a heat pad or hot water bottle helps reduce the pain.
  Alternating hot and cold may also work well.
• Evening primrose oil from your pharmacy or health food shop can help cyclical breast pain. It should be taken for four to six months. It can be taken safely with the contraceptive Pill or hormone replacement therapy.
• If you are seriously overweight, losing weight may help cut down breast pain and lumpiness.
• Change your diet. Stop all caffeine intake - coffee, tea, chocolate, ice-cream products soft drinks - and cut down on your salt. In addition, highly salted foods - such as pepperoni - make you bloated.
• Try a gentle breast massage on yourself.

When should I contact my GP?

• If the breast pain is severe or goes on for most of a month.
• If you discover a lump.
• If there is a change in the size or shape of either breast or if you notice dimpling.
• If there is discharge from your nipple or changes around it.

It is very rare for women who have breast pain to also have breast cancer.

If the above self-help remedies have not worked your doctor may be able to help. For example young women with breast pain and irregular cycles often find that the contraceptive Pill helps.