The exact cause of cyclical breast pain is currently unknown, but it is related to the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle starts on the first day of a woman’s period and ends on the day before her next period.
Hormones
The menstrual cycle is controlled by your body releasing hormones, such as oestrogen. Hormones are powerful chemicals that have a wide range of effects on the body. Cyclical breast pain may be associated with the changing levels of hormones in your body.
Cyclical breast pain is not associated with any other breast-related conditions.
Other possible causes
Breast pain can be also be caused by some types of medication. However, if this happens, the pain may not come and go with your menstrual cycle but may be constant. Medicines that can cause breast pain include:
- medicines that contain hormones, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or the combined contraceptive pill
- some antidepressants that are used to treat depression
- some antipsychotics that are used to treat some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia
- some anxiolytics that are used to treat anxiety
- some blood pressure and heart medications
- some antimicrobials that are used to kill micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses or fungi
Smoking and caffeine (found in tea, coffee and cola) are thought to be risk factors for breast pain. It is also thought that the herbal remedy, ginseng, may be associated with breast pain.
