Many women experience breast tenderness. It's a common enough symptom that occasionally women who don't experience breast tenderness while pregnant worry there is something wrong with their body. This is not true, as each woman's body is unique and pregnancy affects her in different ways.
Pregnancy can be a difficult time, both physically from the myriad of side effects from the changes a woman's body undergoes, and emotionally, as both the woman and her partner try to work out a new relationship dynamic for the developing future. However, it can also be a joyous time that brings a couple together, so long as the side effects of pregnancy don't have an overly adverse influence on their relationships.
Why Do Women Experience Breast Tenderness While Pregnant?
Women usually experience breast tenderness at the beginning of their pregnancy, and for many women it's even the first sign of pregnancy they notice. However, women who don't experience breast tenderness shouldn't worry, it doesn't mean there's a problem with their pregnancy.
Breast tenderness while pregnant occurs because of changes the body is going through. As the body prepares for pregnancy, the breasts become enlarged and sore. Breast tenderness is a sign the breasts are getting ready to grow and equip themselves to feed the baby. The breast tissue is changing and milk ducts developing. Additionally, a rush of progesterone hormones in the body can increase fluid retention in the area, making breasts sensitive to the touch.
That said, not having breast tenderness while pregnant doesn't mean that the breasts aren't preparing themselves for pregnancy. Every woman experiences the signs of pregnancy in a different way, and some women simply have a different pain threshold.
Symptoms of Breast Tenderness while Pregnant
There are different symptoms that can accompany breast tenderness, including:
- Increased breast size
- Throbbing pain in the breasts
- Itchy, tingling, sensitive nipples
- New veins appearing on the breasts
How Can a Woman Reduce Breast Tenderness while Pregnant?
There are many ways to relieve breast tenderness:
- Take a bath in warm water.
- Massage breasts with lotion or aromatherapy oil.
- Wear a well fitted bra with proper breast support.
- Start wearing cotton bras with underwire.When exercising, wear a correctly fitted sports bra.
Which are the best ways to cope with breast tenderness while pregnant?
Three levels of approaches can be considered for treating breast tenderness:
(1) lifestyle changes, (2) alternative medicine and (3) medication. The safest way is to start with the least risky approach for breast tenderness while pregnant and go on to the next level only after consult a doctor.
Pregnancy is different for every woman, but if concerned about experiencing breast tenderness, visit a medical practitioner for advice. Click for more information about breast tenderness while pregnant.
Sources
- BMJ Group. "Menopause: What is it?" Patient Leaflet. 2007.
- Hopkins, Virginia. Lee, John R. M.D. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause. New York: Warner Books Inc., 1996.
- Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
- Martin, Raquel. The Estrogen Alternative. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2000.