Why do my breasts hurt before my period?
Written by Freya Eriksson
Freya Eriksson
With more than three years of experience in the field, Freya Eriksson specializes in writing about the latest research into fertility and reproductive health. She is passionate about shining a light on under-researched topics such as contraception and planning pregnancy. Freya holds a Master's degree in Linguistics and lives in Stockholm, Sweden.
Medically reviewed by Jack Pearson, Medical Affairs Manager at Natural Cycles
Jack Pearson
Dr. Jack Pearson is a previously HCPC registered Embryologist with a PhD in reproductive medicine. Prior to joining Natural Cycles leading Medical Affairs, he worked for more than 10 years in a clinical setting working at some of the busiest fertility clinics in the UK. Today he spends most of his time working with experts at the world’s leading institutions to carry out important research with the vision to further the field of female health. He earned his PhD from the University of Sheffield specializing in Sperm Metabolism and currently lives in London.
Key takeaways:
- Breast or nipple pain before your period affects as many as 70% of women.
- Premenstrual breast pain is most likely caused by the levels of estrogen and progesterone changing during the second part of the menstrual cycle, but the exact cause is unknown
- Painkillers, a well-fitting bra, and exercise are some of the remedies that can help reduce breast pain before your period
If you’ve ever wondered why your breasts hurt before your period, the hormonal changes linked with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) might be the answer. While we may commonly think of other symptoms of PMS, such as irritability, mood changes or food cravings, there are, in fact, a variety of changes people notice. In this article, we’ll walk you through what causes breast pain before your period, common symptoms, what you can do about it, and when to see a doctor.
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