Breast tenderness during the premenopausal stage is frequently reported by women. This is typically due to fluctuating hormone levels or heavy periods. Women with breast tenderness should not be concerned about any related health issues, but should monitor any changes or abnormalities.
Breast tenderness occurs for a number of reasons and, in the majority of cases, they are not of grave concern. However, women should always visit their medical practitioner to discuss the possible causes of their soreness. Oftentimes, doctors can put women's minds at ease when it comes to their breast tenderness as 85% of lumps that women find in their breasts are benign.
What Causes Breast Tenderness?
Hormone changes during a normal menstrual cycle.Breast tenderness can be a result of a number of factors, but the primary cause is hormonal changes. Breast tenderness occurs when estrogen and progesterone levels become imbalanced. The body's hormones frequently cause soreness of the breasts during a woman's monthly menstrual cycle.
Fibroadenosis is the name of the disease that causes breast tenderness, enlargement, and benign lumps. These symptoms usually appear around a woman's period and disappear immediately afterwards. For some women, their breast tenderness can be extremely uncomfortable; for others, their sensitivity is slight and does not impact their daily life. Although fibroadenosis and the accompanying breast tenderness can be annoying, it is not typically a serious health concern. However, women should have their symptoms examined by a doctor.
Fibroadenoma is another condition that causes breast tenderness and breast lumps. It is much more common during pregnancy. Pregnant women suffering from breast tenderness should not be overly concerned about their symptoms either. Nevertheless, a visit to the doctor can often help to reassure a woman's concerns.
Breast cysts are small lumps that cause breast tenderness and should always be checked by a doctor. Although they may vary in size, breast cysts are not always something women should be overly concerned about. They sometimes cause breast tenderness because of their location, but can be easily managed.
Treating Breast Tenderness
There are many treatments that can be employed to help alleviate breast tenderness.
- Taking hot showers and baths can often help women relieve any soreness of the breasts.
- Ensuring bras are supportive is also extremely important in treatment of breast tenderness.
- Massaging breasts with moisturizers and oils can often help to relieve any breast pain and also helps women to notice when they have lumps that need to be checked by a doctor.
- Taking vitamins A, E, and B is also said to assist with breast tenderness.
- Pain relieving creams can also be used by some women to help with their breast soreness; although, for others, these creams can have unfortunate side effects.
In addition to the aforementioned tips, there are also prescribed medications that women can use to help relieve breast tenderness. However, if it becomes a considerable problem and women are concerned about sore or sensitive breasts, they should visit their doctor to discuss other treatment options.Read about the different treatments towards breast tenderness and their correlating side effects.
Sources
- Hutchinson, Susan M.D. "The Stages of a Woman's Life: Menstruation, Pregnancy, Nursing, Perimenopause, Menopause". November 2007.
- Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
- BMJ Group. "Menopause: What is it?" Patient Leaflet. 2007.