What should I do about breast tenderness before menstruation?

Many women experience various symptoms before menstruation—during the premenstrual phase—with manifestations differing among individuals. For instance, some may feel mild dizziness, others may suffer from constipation, and still others may experience breast tenderness or swelling.

In most cases, women reporting premenstrual breast tenderness also have underlying mammary gland hyperplasia (benign breast tissue proliferation), as this condition is the primary cause of such discomfort.

Hormone levels fluctuate significantly prior to menstruation, and breast tissue is highly sensitive to hormonal regulation. If breast tenderness occurs solely during the premenstrual phase and is mild in severity, no specific medical intervention is typically required. Wearing loose-fitting bras and practicing proper breast care are usually sufficient.

However, if premenstrual breast pain is severe, a medical consultation is warranted. A breast ultrasound should be performed to assess the extent of mammary gland hyperplasia and to screen for other potential breast abnormalities—such as fibroadenomas or even malignant breast lesions. In such cases, pharmacological treatment—or even surgical intervention—may be necessary.