Most women experience sore breast, which mostly happens two weeks before the period. The sore feeling can be mild or extreme. This is one symptom amongst others that women experience before menstruation. The symptoms are generally referred to as PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

Why Are My Breasts Sore Before Period?

Sore breast before period will mostly occur because of hormonal changes. Breast ducts enlarge because of increased amount of estrogen production before menstruation. Milk glands also grow because of progesterone production that peaks about 21 days into the cycle.

Sore breasts are associated with PMS and fibrocystic breast disease. Almost all women experience this, but it is mostly serious during the child bearing age. Women who are on birth control experience less. Risk factors may include a lot of caffeine, high fat diet and family history.

How to Reduce Sore Breasts Before Period

To reduce sore breast before period, you can:

• Wear a well-fitting bra
• Reduce intake of caffeine
• Take evening primrose oil - not advisable if you are epileptic
• Take various types of vitamin B - you can ask your pharmacist
• Reduce use of marijuana and tobacco

The above tips will take time before they work, like 2 weeks. For immediate relief, you can:

• Use anti-inflammatory creams or gels on the affected area. You can ask for help from the pharmacist
• Take a hot shower, bath or placing a hot pack on your breasts

Note that they will not stop the soreness from recurring.

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, sore breast before period is not a medical concern, but if it becomes severe and other symptoms accompany the soreness, it is important to see a doctor.

If you see the following, contact your doctor:

• Changing or new breast lumps
• Nipple producing brown or bloody discharge
• Breast pain that makes daily activities difficult. Also, if it does not improve after trying homecare remedies
• Lumps that are only present in one breast or unilateral lumps

How to Treat Sore Breasts Before Period

Sore breast before period can cause a lot of discomfort. To treat the soreness, you can try the following home remedies.

Home Remedies

• Increase soybeans and soy foods in your diet

Soy foods have hormone like components called phytoestrogens that influence fluctuation of hormones during menopause and menstruation. Add soy nuts or tofu to your food or soy milk to your smoothies and it might as well be the end of sore breasts before period.

• The more fiber the better

Studies have shown that fiber helps in excretion of estrogen that helps with sore breasts. Eat more fruits, legumes and vegetables to ease sore breasts.

• Reduce intake of hydrogenated oils

Hydrogenated oils are found in packed snacks and baked products as well as margarine. These oils reduce the body’s capability of converting the oil to gamma-linoleic acid that is useful in ensuring breast tissue is not painful. Cut down on methyl xanthine intake that is found in pickles, mushrooms, peanut butter, cheese, bananas, beer, wine, tea, coffee and cola. This will help improve the breast soreness.

• Monitor sodium intake

Sodium increases water retention which in turn causes the breasts to swell. 2 weeks before your period, you should cut down on the salt to avoid breast soreness.

• Try evening primrose oil

This is a traditional method for PMS. It has vital fatty acid GLA that can help in the balancing of hormones and easing sore breasts before period. Doctors usually prescribe between 240-320mg a day throughout the cycle - which can take up to three months before feeling the full benefit.

• Take dandelion

It is a natural diuretic. It can either be taken in capsule form or used to make tea. Take 3 cups a day.

• Vitamins B6 and E

You can increase these vitamins in your diet by eating spinach, lean meat, avocado for B6 and wheat germ, barley and nuts for vitamin E. The two vitamins work well together. You can also use supplements.

Medical Treatment for Sore Breasts Before Period

Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used in the treatment of sore breasts. They include:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

If the discomfort and soreness is serious, consult your doctor. Diuretics can be used to decrease tenderness, swelling and water retention. However, they should be used under the doctor’s supervision as you can end up dehydrated.

Hormonal birth control like Depo-Provera and oral contraceptives can come in handy in preventing sore breasts.