Why do some women experience breast pain before their period, and what can help alleviate it?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Breast pain before a period, known as cyclical mastalgia, is most often caused by hormonal fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle. Common, evidence-based relief options include chamomile tea for its anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin E to reduce breast tenderness, and vitamin B6 to help regulate hormone-related symptoms. Wearing a supportive bra and reducing caffeine intake may also ease discomfort.

Still, breast pain can have many causes, and symptoms vary from person to person. To better understand what may be behind your discomfort and decide on the right next steps, take a free, instant, online symptom check. It only takes a few minutes and can provide personalized insights to help you feel confident about your health decisions.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if breast pain needs care now Discover likely causes of breast pain See if breast pain needs evaluation Find OTC relief for breast pain Locate doctors for breast pain care Understand medically valid breast pain remedies Find out if breast pain is serious

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Explanation

Many women feel breast pain before their periods because of changes in hormones. These hormones can make the breasts feel sore or tender. There are ways to help ease this pain.

Ways to Help:

Chamomile Extract: Chamomile is a plant that can help with pain. Some studies suggest it might make breast pain less severe.
Vitamins: Taking vitamin E and vitamin B6 can also help reduce breast pain. These vitamins are thought to help balance the body's response to hormonal changes.

It's important to remember that these are just a few options that might help. If the pain is very bad or doesn't go away, you can check your symptoms to better understand what might be causing your discomfort and whether you should talk to a healthcare provider.

(References)

Dickerson LM, Mazyck PJ, & Hunter MH. (2003). Premenstrual syndrome. American family physician, 12725453.
Saghafi N, Rhkhshandeh H, Pourmoghadam N, Pourali L, Ghazanfarpour M, Behrooznia A, & Vafisani F. (2018). Effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract .... Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 29072514.
Shobeiri F, Oshvandi K, & Nazari M. (2015). Clinical effectiveness of vitamin E and vitamin B6 for .... Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, 26793260.

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