How is breast pain treated?

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How is breast pain treated?

Since cyclic breast pain is a regular part of your menstrual cycle, it doesn’t require as much treatment. There are some pain-relieving medications you can take to help with your symptoms if the pain is becoming unmanageable, including:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Paracetamol®).
  • Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®).
  • Naproxen sodium (Aleve®, Naprosyn®).
  • Aspirin (Anacin®, Bayer®).
  • Diclofenac (Voltaren®).

If your breast pain is even more severe, your doctor may suggest Danazol or Tamoxifen, which are two prescription medications. But these two medications also have certain side effects, which is why it’s important to talk with your doctor before taking them, to determine whether it will be worth it for your specific case.

There are also a few other treatment methods that you can use to help relieve your pain, including:

  • Wearing a well-fitting, supportive bra. (Breast size and shape changes over time. So, make sure you’re routinely fitted for the correct bra size.)
  • Taking Vitamin E supplements and other multivitamins.
  • Eliminating caffeine from your diet.
  • Avoiding tobacco products.
  • Using evening primrose oil.
  • Applying heat to the most painful area on your breast, being sure to protect your skin.
  • Taking magnesium supplements. If you take these during your menstrual cycle, roughly two weeks before your period, it can help relieve some of your symptoms.
  • Applying over-the-counter trolamine salicylate cream to ease aches and pains.
  • Relaxation and complementary therapy.

Your healthcare provider may suggest using some of the same medications to treat the symptoms of noncyclic breast pain. However, if they can find the underlying cause of your pain (such as a fibroadenoma, a cyst or a benign lump), they can remove it and relieve your symptoms.

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