Soothing Strategies

While you can’t always escape the natural fluctuations in hormones, there are things you can do to make yourself and your breasts more comfortable.

Wear a supportive bra. Breasts often swell with fluid during periods of hormonal fluctuation. Susan Woodruff, B.S.N., childbirth and parenting education coordinator at Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro, Oregon, advises women to wear a supportive bra, especially if their breasts are large. “You may have to wear it 24 hours a day when the breasts are tender,” she says. “Try one of those soft athletic bras that provide comfort and good support.”

Try cutting back on caffeine. Greenwood says that the scientific evidence is mixed about whether or not eliminating caffeine helps lumpy, fibrocystic breasts. One study, reported by the National Institutes of Health, which included more than 3,000 women, found no relationship between caffeine consumption and fibrocystic disease. On the other hand, some women have reported good results from cutting back or eliminating caffeinated coffees, teas, colas, and chocolate. Try reducing your consumption of caffeine to see if your breast discomfort decreases.

Cut salt. Many women are bothered by fluid retention, particularly near the time of their menstrual period, says Clark. “Avoiding salt around this time can help minimize fluid retention,” she says.

Apply heat/cold packs. Woodruff says that some women find relief from painful breasts by alternating a warm heating pad and ice packs. Try using the heating pad for 30 minutes, then the ice packs for 10 minutes, then the heating pad for 30 minutes, and so on.

Try a nonprescription pain reliever. Aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen can ease the pain of premenstrual breasts, says Clark. For fibrocystic breasts, Purcell recommends ibuprofen.

Check out your cosmetics. Some herbal cosmetics and remedies, such as those made with ginseng, can have steroidal effects similar to estrogen. If you suspect that a product that you use may have such an effect, try avoiding the product temporarily to see if your condition improves.