Cyclical breast pain usually affects both breasts. Symptoms include:
- pain in the upper, outer area of your breasts
- pain that extends from your breasts to your armpits, and sometimes down your arms
- tender breasts, with some swelling and lumpiness but not a hard lump
The pain may be felt as a heaviness or soreness, but it has also been described as a stabbing or burning pain.
The pain occurs at about the same point of your menstrual cycle every month, usually one to three days before the start of your period, and improves at the end of your period. Your menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your period and ends on the day before your next period.
When to see you GP
Visit your GP if you notice changes to your breasts, such as:
- a lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the size or shape of one or both of your breasts
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple – for example, it becomes sunken into your breast
- pain in either of your breasts or armpits that is not related to your period
See your GP if, as well as cyclical breast pain, you also have:
- any symptoms of an infection in your breast, such as swelling, redness or warmth in your breast, or a high temperature (fever)
- any symptoms of pregnancy, such as a missed period
If you have breast pain along with other symptoms, or the pain continues throughout your menstrual cycle (not only around your period), it may not be cyclical breast pain. In these circumstances, your GP will be able to advise you further about what the cause may be.
