Why Do Breast Pain and Enlargement Ahead of Menstruation?

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When approaching the menstrual period, women usually experience several symptoms such as an easily changing mood. Some women also experience increased appetite, and breasts that look enlarged or swollen even feel pain. This is usually known as premenstrual syndrome or PMS. Enlarged breasts and pain because PMS usually returns to normal when you enter menstruation. However, you need to be careful, because sometimes, swelling and pain in the breast when PMS can be a feature of fibrocystic breast disease, aka lumps in the noncancerous breast during menstruation. If you feel there is a change with your breasts, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The cause of breast swelling and pain before menstruation

Women have several hormones that are important for their reproductive systems, including estrogen and progesterone. The occurrence of menstruation is because there is no fertilization in the egg cell, so the uterine wall finally decays. During the menstrual cycle, the hormones in your body will fluctuate. Increased hormone levels occur before until after the menstrual period. Estrogen has an important role in this case, causing the breast canal to enlarge. In addition, progesterone production also makes the mammary glands swell. Because of these two things, you end up experiencing pain in the breast.

Estrogen and progesterone usually increase on days 14 to 28 - if your cycle is 28 days long. Estrogen will increase in the middle of the cycle, while progesterone increases during the week before menstruation.

Swelling and pain in the breast are the main symptoms premenstrual. The pain is indeed uncomfortable, you will also feel the breast tissue becomes dense and rough. However, not all women experience pain in the breast before menstruation. for example, changes in hormone levels before menstruation will decrease in women approaching menopause.

Two types of breast pain

Pain in this breast can also be called mastalgia. There are two types: pain that occurs with a monthly cycle (cyclic), and not followed by monthly cycle patterns (noncyclic) Symptoms of PMS are included cyclic, usually pain is experienced by both breasts, and spreads to the armpits and arms. Breast pain cyclic this is more common in younger women.

Whereas pain noncylcic experienced by women aged 30 to 50 years. The pain is only experienced by one part of the breast. Sometimes the pain is caused by fibroadenomas - non-cancerous tumors found in the breast - and cysts.

How to deal with breast pain before menstruation?

There are several ways that can reduce breast pain, such as:

Wearing support a suitable bra can reduce your breast tissue rocking during your menstrual period.
Giving hot or cold compresses can also help, but don't apply directly to your breast skin. The compress can be wrapped in a towel or a soft cloth. It's best to do compressing for only about 20 minutes.
You can consume pain relief such as ibuprofen or aspirin when pain arises, both of which do not contain caffeine.
Drink lots of water and avoid caffeine drinks. Caffeine will increase the hormone cortisol, so that it will disrupt other hormones that are increasing. Also try to reduce salt consumption, because salt will trigger water retention.
Eating healthy foods such as those high in fiber, low in fat can be found in fruits and nuts. You should start reducing meat consumption, because reducing meat eating is also good for heart health, bones, helps reduce weight, and breast health.
Reducing stress also helps maintain hormonal balance, because stress will increase the production of the hormone cortisol. You can reduce stress by diligently exercising or trying light meditation. Even aromatherapy herbs are also believed to be able to relieve stress. Reducing stress also prevents excessive pain in your breasts

Need to visit a doctor?

If you really feel worried about changing your breasts, you should immediately visit a doctor. In addition, pain premenstrual in the breast can also be a symptom of the disease - as mentioned above. If you find this symptom, you should also consult a doctor immediately:

There is a lump in the breast
The discharge from the nipple, especially if the liquid is brown or even bleeding
Excessive breast pain, for example if the pain has disrupted your daily activities and your sleep
Uniteral lump or lump that is only found on one side of the breast

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