How to reduce abdominal pain during menstruation: 8 easy ways

Chest pains that are not a sign of pathology are called mastodynia or mastalgia in gynecological science. If they do not start before the onset of menstruation, it happens only periodically, if there is only one breast or one of them hurts a little more - all these are possible variations of the norm.

Mastodynia is often accompanied by temporary breast enlargement. These changes are explained by the internal cyclical processes of the female body and hormonal balance due to the preparation of the body for possible childbirth and the expected production of milk.

Breast pain before menstruation - is it the hormones?

After the release of the egg from the ovary, progesterone is intensively produced, because of it, the alveoli grow, fluid is retained in the tissues, and the breast swells and enlarges. In the meantime, after ovulation, active production of estrogen begins, which accumulates in fat cells, due to which

How many days to endure discomfort

Pain appears on average a week before menstruation and stops in the first days of menstruation. If they last longer and do not go away by the end of your period, make an appointment with your doctor - prolonged and severe pain can be a sign of diseases, including serious ones.

I got sick and stopped - the norm or a deviation?

If for your body discomfort in the chest on the eve of menstruation was familiar, and then abruptly disappeared, this may turn out to be the readiness of the body for motherhood and a sign of pregnancy.

Other possible non-pathological explanations are the use of hormonal drugs, changes in the activity of the sexual life, or a signal of the onset of the perimenopausal period and the gradual loss of the ability to conceive a child.

Late menstruation after chest pain is a negative sign, for example, about mastopathy - a dishormonal breast disease, due to which seals and nodules of the fibrocystic type cause pain when groped.

How to ease the pain

Among the people, St. John's wort, motherwort, chamomile, calendula, nettle, sage, clover, yarrow and other plants are considered to be remedies for chest pain. However, we recommend to refrain from independent herbal medicine - although some herbs can really regulate the hormonal background, others have contraindications and may not help, but harm.

Other, perfectly safe measures that you can take to reduce pain before menstruation:

• follow a diet in the second half of the cycle, try to limit spicy and fatty foods in the diet; frequent eating of fast food, lack of fresh vegetables, fruits and dairy products - all this subsequently affects the hormonal balance;
• drink less liquid - this will help reduce the volume of edema;
• eat more vitamin B6 and magnesium, which are found in nuts, seeds, grains and seafood;
• give up alcohol and cigarettes;
• wear comfortable underwear made of natural fabrics, not pressing on the chest, and loose clothing;
• do not overheat and do not overcool;
• get enough sleep;
• move more;
• a few days before the start of the cycle and for the period of menstruation;
• limit physical activity;
• Walk outdoors as often as possible.

Do not forget about the negative impact of chronic stress on the functioning of the body, especially during menstruation.

When to See a Doctor

The intensity of discomfort is affected by heredity, the general health of a woman, her age and changes in the frequency of sexual intercourse, stress, alcohol abuse, malnutrition and obesity. Although breast pain is usually due to the natural workings of the body, sometimes it can be a negative sign.

Regular self-examination of the breast on the 6-12th day from the onset of menstruation, which takes no more than 5 minutes, will help to identify the problem at an early stage.

Breast Examination Technique

1. Stand in front of a mirror with your arms down and look at the shape of your breasts and the appearance of the skin on your nipples.
2. Raise your hands behind your head and look for changes in the shape, size, and skin color of your breasts.
3. Throw your left hand behind your head and feel the left chest with the other hand, looking for possible thickenings. Check the right one in the same way.
4. Squeeze the nipple at its base with your fingers and check for any discharge.
5. Lie on your back and feel the chest from the edges and towards the nipple, then the armpits.

Regardless of whether you notice suspicious symptoms during self-examination or not, it is recommended to visit a mammologist and gynecologist annually for preventive purposes.

Suspicious Symptoms to Avoid

• the pain does not go away with the onset of menstruation;
• discharge from the nipples;
• visual changes in the breast and nipples: shape, color or vascular pattern;
• spasms;
• seals.

Such changes can be a "bell" about the presence of infectious diseases, neoplasms, angina pectoris, mastitis, injuries and other health problems requiring treatment from a specialist.

How to find the cause of the problem?

A gynecologist can prescribe several options for research and analysis:

• a general blood test, which suggests the presence of systemic failures in the body;
• Pelvic ultrasound is one of the main methods for detecting pathologies of the uterus and ovaries;
• ultrasound examination of the mammary glands to determine their structure and identify possible neoplasms;
• mammography  - especially recommended for women over forty; checking the level of hormones - on certain days of the cycle.

The level of not only sex hormones, but also pituitary hormones, on which the functioning of the reproductive system depends, and those that may indicate a malfunction of the thyroid or adrenal glands, is being investigated.

According to the results of these tests, the gynecologist may limit himself to prescribing a special complex of vitamins and minerals or hormone therapy. In some cases, oral contraceptives are prescribed, which significantly reduce pain and normalize the menstrual cycle. In no case should you use hormonal drugs without a prescription from a doctor, incorrectly selected drugs can provoke severe malfunctions in the body.

If you notice suspicious symptoms or your chest hurts too much - do not delay going to the doctor! All necessary types of research are available at the Women's Medical Center.