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.
