Breast tenderness is very common in some women. Almost 70% of women get this in their entire lifetime. It is seldom very severe. It makes women feel uncomfortable but it is a common symptom during ovulation, menopause and at times of hormonal fluctuation. Women often get this symptom cyclically with their menstrual cycles.
Breast tenderness is not a disease but often a sign of some other condition. It is rarely a symptom of breast cancer so there is no need to worry about it.
What is breast tenderness?
It is also referred as mastalgia, mastodynia and mammalgia. It generally means discomfort or pain in one or both the breasts when they are touched or when pressure is applied. Loosely, often it is also used to refer to discomfort of the breast.
When is breast tenderness most common?
Although breast tenderness occurs during menopause and hormonal changes but it is most often related to ovulation. Most women experience tender breasts just before or after ovulation. It is normal to have tender breasts during ovulation. It occurs due to the increased levels of hormones like estrogen, progesterone and prolactin in the body.
Breasts tenderness during ovulation
Why breasts get tender during or after ovulation?
Breast tenderness during ovulation occurs as a natural mechanism. The milk glands get enlarged to prepare for possible pregnancy. New cells are added to the milk producing ducts and glands. This actually causes the breast tenderness.
Post ovulation progesterone causes water retention in the body to prepare the uterus for the pregnancy. The effect of it is felt throughout the body. The water retained in the breast tissues stretches them and the breasts become sore and painful.
This is absolutely normal and most often the feeling subsides on its own.
But if the feeling is too uncomfortable for you then you can consult a doctor for medication.
Home remedies to treat breast tenderness
You can take certain measures on your own to reduce the discomfort that arises from breast tenderness.
- Wear a support bra instead of underwire bra which will provide the necessary support and comfort.
- Take some ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap it with towel. Apply this on the tender areas for 10-15 minutes. This will definitely ease your discomfort.
- Having a diet rich in fiber controls the estrogen that flows in the blood. This helps in reducing breast tenderness.
- Salt retains water in the body. To curb this water retention reduce salt intake.
- Say no to caffeine. Reducing caffeine intake often reduces breast pain also.
- Stay active and have a fat free diet to keep yourself fit.
Breast tenderness is quite normal during ovulation and it usually goes away on its own. There is no need to be anxious about it but take it just as signal of the body towards certain conditions.
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