Breast pain (medically called mastalgia) is one of the most common PMS symptoms I see. In fact, up to 90% of women will experience breast pain at some point during their reproductive years.

If you’ve ever noticed breast tenderness that shows up before your period and eases once bleeding starts, you’re not imagining it and you’re definitely not alone.

Because breast pain can be worrying, many women with cyclical breast pain are sent for mammograms more often. That’s why proper assessment matters, so we can understand what’s going on and avoid unnecessary testing when possible.

🌀 Why does breast pain happen?

Hormones play a big role. Cyclical breast pain most often shows up in weeks 3-4 of the cycle (the luteal phase) and improves once your period begins, when hormone levels drop.

What we commonly see:

• Higher estrogen sensitivity or levels
• Lower progesterone
• Symptoms improving when estrogen is blocked

⚡ The prolactin connection

For some women, breast pain is linked to elevated prolactin, the hormone involved in milk production.

Prolactin rises with stress, and when elevated, it can disrupt your cycle. If breast pain is severe and you notice:

• Spotting before your period
• Irregular or anovulatory cycles (no ovulation)

👉 Then prolactin testing becomes much more important.

🌿 Lifestyle matters more than you think

Certain lifestyle patterns can worsen PMS, including breast pain:

• Smoking
• Dieting or under-eating
• Late nights
• Chronic stress

On the flip side, regular meals, antioxidant-rich foods, and relaxation practices can significantly reduce PMS symptoms, including breast tenderness.

🌱 Natural supports that actually help

Supporting breast pain looks very similar to supporting PMS as a whole. A whole-body approach works best.

Some well-studied options include:

• Chastetree (Vitex)
• Flax
• Magnesium
• Fish oil

Chastetree is especially interesting. It lowers prolactin as effectively as medication, without suppressing other hormones. It can also improve cycle-related symptoms like irregular periods and PMDD, and its benefits often continue even after stopping it.

Because dosing can vary based on your full symptom picture, chastetree should be prescribed and monitored by your naturopath.

📊 Tracking makes all the difference

We always use symptom tracking, either paper forms or PMS apps, to:

• Confirm your breast pain is truly cyclical
• Track progress
• Make sure your plan is actually working

Tools like the Daily Record of Severity of Problems or a good PMS app, used for at least one full cycle before your appointment, can make a huge difference in creating a clear, effective plan.

💗 Bottom line: Breast pain is common, real, and very treatable. You don’t have to just “put up with it.”

If this resonates and you’d like support, we invite you to schedule a complimentary Meet & Greet with Dr. Vaidehi Patel, ND. This is a great first step to discuss your symptoms and explore whether naturopathic care is the right fit for you.

Click here to schedule your Meet & Greet with Dr. Vaidehi Patel, ND