CYCLICAL BREAST PAIN

Articles written by
Mr. Harvey Minasian MS(London) FRCS

Pre-menstrual Breast pain (Cyclical mastalgia)

The “hormonal environment” i.e. the level of certain hormones circulating in your blood stream goes through a monthly cyclical change. Starting about 10 days prior to the onset of your menstrual period, this hormonal environment may cause swelling, lumpiness & pain in your breasts, which usually gets worse until you have a period when it may improve - often quickly, over a day or two. Sometimes the cyclical element of breast pain is not so clear.

This is a very common problem amongst pre-menopausal women of all ages. It may be very mild or extremely severe, causing much distress & discomfort. It is not necessarily associated with nor does it pre-dispose to breast cancer. In this sense, it is not a serious condition, but merely a nuisance. The condition which causes cyclical breast pain is referred to as benign mammary dysplasia (BMD) & can also result in thickening in various areas of the breast & masquerade as a “lump”

To help minimise your symptoms you can carry out the following instructions:

1. Wear a good supportive bra during the time you have pain or discomfort.

2. Take Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), one 50 mg tablet once a day (if you have not already tried this medication). These tablets are available from any chemist without a prescription & should be taken for at least 3 months before any benefit can be expected.

3. If a course of Vitamin B6 has proved ineffective, try a 2 - 3 months course of Evening Primrose Oil capsules. Take two 500 mg capsules three times daily. This is not a hormone preparation and can be obtained form Health Food shops & most chemists, without a prescription.

If the above measures are not effective, there are other medications, including some hormone & “anti-hormone” preparations which could be tried. These can only be prescribed by a doctor & should be taken under
supervision.