Cyclic breast pain
Cyclic breast pain, which is caused by a woman's normal monthly hormone changes, is usually most severe before a menstrual period and then is relieved during the menstrual period. It is generally described as a heaviness or soreness, and it often radiates to the armpit and arm.
Cyclic breast pain is often accompanied by harmless breast lumpiness, also known as fibrocystic breast changes. These changes also come and go with the menstrual cycle.
Most cyclic breast pain goes away without treatment and usually disappears at menopause, when menstrual periods end.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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