Breast Tenderness - Breast Tenderness Herbal Supplements

Basics

Breast tenderness is a perfectly normal side effect of estrogen therapy--particularly in postmenopausal women who have not been exposed to estrogen for many years. It should settle down within 2-3 months of therapy. Other causes of breast tenderness can include excessive use of caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate; fibrocystic breast disease, which actually tends to get less after menopause; engorgement with milk, which can be seen in post menopausal women with thyroid disease, with the use of tranquilizers and other medications, and with pituitary (brain) tumors; blood clots in the veins of the breast; and breast cancer. Any patient considering estrogen replacement therapy should always have a thorough breast exam and an annual mammogram prior to therapy. If the breasts are sensitive, all caffeine products should be stopped. If the tenderness persists for, you should contact your health care provider. It may be necessary to lower the estrogen dose for several months to allow your body to adjust to these mild side effects. Once the side effects disappear, the dosage should be gradually increased until adequate blood levels exist to achieve maximal therapeutic benefit.

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Symptoms

There is tenderness and discomfort in the breast.

Prevention

As such there are no preventions but to follow a diet that is not rich in fats.

Causes

Breast tenderness is a common characteristic of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and early pregnancy. If caused by PMS, the tenderness may occur regularly every month; if associated with early pregnancy, missed periods and a positive home pregnancy test will reveal that. The cause is generally the natural cycles of your reproductive hormones, which are estrogen and progesterone. They signal the milk-producing glands in the breast to grow and areas around them to expand with blood and other fluids to nourish the cells. This can result in stretched nerve fibers and a sense of pain. Then there are fibrocystic changes, which include lumps and cysts.

Diagnosis

Many women, who have not ovulated in a long time have not experienced such symptoms for a while, are surprised at the subtle and sometimes annoying signs of ovulation. Breast tenderness is often the first symptom of pregnancy but would not occur before the missed period. Diagnostic tests: A mammogram is usually performed if the woman is over 40 years old. If a lump is found that is not clearly benign, a breast biopsy may be necessary. After seeing your health care provider: You may want to add a diagnosis related to premenstrual breast tenderness to your personal medical record. You may also want to note if there are any lumps, if you had a mammogram or biopsy, and any recommendations your provider made for treating this symptom.

Dietary Guidelines

Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet, including more raw foods. Emphasize fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Do not eat nuts, which have been heated.

The trace element, germanium, is important. It is found in garlic and onions.
Research shows that milk and dairy products have high estrogen levels. It is best to avoid them, for the cyst problem can always lead to a cancerous condition.
Avoid a diet high in meat, eggs, butter, and cheese.
White-flour products should be avoided.

Home Care Suggestions

For breast tenderness, apply vitamin E on the area, and be sure to include enough essential fatty acids in the diet (5 gm, 3 times a day). Flaxseed oil, sunflower seed oil, or wheat germ oil are best.

Selenium is an antioxidant and helps prevent breast tenderness.
Using caffeine products is linked to breast tenderness.
Discomfort and soreness in the breast is also a symptom of fibrocystic breast disease.
Soak a cloth in a mixture of 1 pint of linseed oil and 4 ounces of spirits of camphor, and cover the entire affected area. Apply as often as needed.
Hot and cold applications of dry cloths help relieve the soreness and inflammation. Give these continually until relieved. Then apply the mixture again.
When the breast is swollen, give a poultice slippery elm, with a little lobelia added to it.
Drink a tea of goldenseal, black cohosh, and ginger.
Self-care may include restricting dietary fat to approximately 25% of the total daily calorie intake and eliminating caffeine. Breast self-examination should be performed monthly.
Adequate bras should be worn to provide good breast support.
The effectiveness of vitamin E, vitamin B6, and herbal preparations such as evening primrose oil are somewhat controversial and should be discussed with your health care provider. Oral contraceptives may be prescribed because they often decrease symptoms.
Danazol, a synthetic androgen (male hormone), may be used in severe cases when the potential benefit is thought to outweigh the potential adverse effects.

Mind/Body Considerations

It is important to stay stress free in any disease as it only makes the condition worse. Having a healthy mind and a positive approach greatly helps to reduce any disease.