How to Deal with Breast Pain

How to Deal with Breast Pain

The problem of breast pain is usually common among women but it becomes extreme at the time of menstrual cycle. It has been believed that about 70% of women suffer with breast pain. In medical terms, breast pain is known as mastalgia. Some of the symptoms will be pointed out in case of having breast pain such as tender breasts, swelling, heaviness, sharp pain.  The time duration of pain increases occasionally and from mild to severe which becomes unbearable for women. Breast pain would be of two types:

• Cyclical – The strength of pain changes at the time of menstrual cycle.

• Non-cyclical – This is a constant pain which remains same during the menstrual cycle.

Many changes take place in a woman’s body during or before her menstrual cycle; the biggest changes are the hormonal changes. If there is a change in the structure of breast like cysts, surgery, trauma, due to these factors, non-cyclical pain happens.

Sometimes, imbalance of fatty acids with the cells of the breasts takes place which is another reason of having breast pain. This may be due to the use of various medications, enlargement of breasts, breastfeeding and wearing ill-fitted bras. Breast pain occurs during the menstrual cycle can be easily cured with using the home remedies. These remedies will reduce the severity of pain and give you relief.

1.  Ice Pack

Ice pack will help to relief the breast pain due to its cold nature. The swelling will reduce too.

• Take some ice cubes in a plastic bag and place it on the breasts.

• Keep the cubes for about 10 minutes.

• Repeat the procedure few times daily until you feel some better.

• You can also use warm compress alternatively.

2.  Self-Massage

Massaging helps in eliminating the swelling on the breasts and also regulates blood circulation. In this way the breast tissues will remain healthy and nutrients will flow in the blood properly and pain will also reduce. Set a prior time to do self-massage daily.

• Soap your breasts while taking bath then gently massage them for a few minutes. The motion of your hands should be kept from the center of your chest to the armpits. If you breastfeed your child then do not apply soap to your nipples.

• Another thing you can do is mix few drops of camphor oil to 2 tbsp of warm olive oil and use this mixture to massage the breasts 3 times a day.

• Mix equal amounts of apricot and wheat germ oil then use  this oil for the massage to your breasts on the regular basis.

3.  Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is proved to be great for the breast pain. An ingredient called gamolenic acid (GLA) is found in evening primrose oil, it is like fatty acid which deals with the hormonal changes takes place in the body so that eases the breast pain soon early.

• Take a little quantity of evening primrose oil in your palm and gently massage it to your breasts for few minutes.

• Evening primrose oil is also available as an extract in stores so you can also take it with 240 to 500 mg for approximately 3 months after consulting your doctor.

Note that if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, do not use evening primrose oil.

4.  Chaste Berry

Chaste berry is an excellent herb which is definitely proven to treat with cyclical mastalgia. This herb decreases the PMS symptoms because it directly effects on the pituitary gland and defeat with the excess amount of prolactin which is the main hormones that is blamable for the PMS symptoms, breast tenderness and pain.

• Take 3 dosage of 20 mg dry chase berry extract.

• Add around 40 drops of chase berry extract to a glass of water and drink this as a liquid once in the morning before having breakfast.

• Follow this remedy for at least 3 months but consulting the doctor before taking dosage will be good.

5.  Castor Oil

Castor oil contains a substance called ricinoleic acid that has anti-inflammatory properties which will help to relief the pain. The blood circulation is also increased by using the castor oil so that the nutrients will reach the cells greatly while removing the waste products from the body.

• Take 1 tbsp of castor oil and 2 tbsp of olive oil then mix them together.

• Massage your breasts with this mixture of oils.

• Do this remedy daily in your menstrual week.

6.  Dandelion

Dandelion is found to be amazing for relieving the breast pain and its tenderness. Dandelion helps in excreting out the extra inflammatory products from your body due to the presence of diuretic and a lot of potassium.

• Take 1 tsp of dried dandelion root and simmer it in a cup of water for 20 minutes.

• After that strain the solution then add a little amount of honey in it.

• Drink 3 cups of this mixture a day.

• Follow this remedy few days before your menstrual periods begin.

7.  Fennel

Fennel is also good for reducing the pain and premenstrual syndrome also. Fennel helps in balancing the hormones and prevents body from water retention. Fennel also deals with the toxic substances accumulated in the body.

• Take a cup of hot water and add 1 tsp of fennel seeds in it.

• Cover the lid then let it steep for 10 minutes.

• After 10 minutes, strain the solution and drink this tea 3 times a day.

• If you do not want to drink tea then you can chew some roasted fennel seeds few times a day, it will help to protect your body from PMS and breast pain.

8.  Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar also works to remove the breast pain and prevent s your body from toxic materials, reduces water retention and balances hormones.

• Take a glass of warm water and add 2 tsp of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar.

• Add a little amount of honey also then mix well.

• Drink this solution twice daily.

9.  Vitamin E

Vitamin E is also good for treating the breast pain and PMS symptoms because it regulates the hormonal changes occur in the body. Therefore, it is effective for decreasing the breast pain.

• Vitamin E eases the breast pain and tenderness at the time of menstrual periods. Take 200 to 400 IUs of vitamin E supplements but consult your doctor first for the proper dosage.

• Eat foods enriched with vitamin E like sunflower seeds, spinach, turnips, olive oil, almonds, avocados, beet greens and mustard greens.

• Use vitamin E oil directly to massage your breasts few times a day.

10.  Magnesium

Magnesium is a nutrient that should be taken daily because it helps in improving the issues associated with breast like tenderness and pain during menstrual periods. Magnesium actually works to reduce the water retention due to which pain and swelling of the breasts removes.

• Eat magnesium containing foods like dark leafy green vegetables, soybeans, nuts, seeds, bananas and dark chocolate.

• Magnesium supplements are also available in the medical stores so you can take them for 2 weeks before your menstrual cycle as it will helps to prevent the breast pain, consult your doctor for proper dosage.

Additional Tips

• Wear bras that fit your breasts.

• Avoid wearing push-up bras.

• If you have sensitive breasts then you should wear sports bra while exercising.

• Do yoga for managing stress levels so it will reduce the pain in body so in breast pain.

• Do not take lots of caffeine because it causes soreness to the breasts.

• Eat plenty of water and take foods enriched with fibers so that the toxic materials can excrete out from your body easily like cabbage, broccoli, sprouts, legumes and whole grains.

• Do not use hydrogenated oils like present in margarine, baked goods and snake products.