In the article, we will consider why chest pain in the middle of the cycle.
Many women, especially those who have not given birth, report soreness and swelling of the mammary glands during ovulation. The skin on the chest is stretched, and the nipples become hypersensitive. Touching the chest during this period is quite painful. Let's try to understand the causes of this phenomenon and the diseases leading to it.
So, why does chest pain in the middle of the cycle?
Reproductive system during ovulation
The middle of the menstrual cycle occurs on days 9-14. It is during this period of time that the woman’s body is most ready for fertilization. In the middle of the cycle, the hormonal background changes, due to the fact that the follicle, which has matured in the ovary, releases an egg, which requires an increased amount of estrogen. This process is caused by a hormonal shift, which explains that the chest is swollen in the middle of the cycle.
Prolactin and estrogen
Hormones such as prolactin and estrogen are responsible for egg growth, so their number increases in the first half of the cycle. After the egg is released, progesterone is produced and the growth of the endometrial layer begins, that is, the body creates optimal conditions for conception. The breast, like other organs of the reproductive system, during ovulation is in a state of hormonal burst, which is manifested by pain in the mammary glands.
Their properties
Many women ask the gynecologist a question about pain in the middle of the menstrual cycle, that is, before ovulation. Some patients can determine the approximation of egg maturation precisely by sensations in the mammary glands. They begin to grow, as does the uterine endometrium.
The milk ducts do not permanently expand; the gland tissues first increase and then decrease. Nipples in the middle of the cycle hurt as a response to the expansion of the ducts and tension of the skin.
The peak growth of hormones in the female body is marked by the middle of the cycle and breast swelling. After this, the body understands that the fertilization process did not take place and the breast returns to its previous state.
Prolactin is a hormone that is responsible for the process of breastfeeding. After pregnancy, it is prolactin that prepares the woman’s mammary glands for the further process of lactation. During ovulation, the amount of prolactin increases to maximum levels, as the body is mobilized to maintain pregnancy. This hormone promotes the growth of tissues during ovulation.
Estrogen
Estrogen is a hormone through which the reproductive system of the female body functions. The follicular apparatus secretes estrogen and removes a mature egg from the follicle. In addition, the hormone is involved in the expansion and formation of the milk ducts. This is why the chest hurts in the middle of the cycle.
Causes
Pain in the middle of the cycle can cause anxiety in a woman. Engorgement and pain may persist in the chest for several days after ovulation, and sometimes until the start of the next cycle. A similar phenomenon is called mastodynia in medicine and is characterized by hardening of the mammary glands. In this case, the condition is considered the previous stage of mastopathy and requires a visit to a specialist.
If the chest is very sore in the middle of the cycle, the doctor will help to determine the reasons.
When the level of estrogen and prolactin rises to elevated levels, a woman feels pain both during ovulation and until the end of the cycle. As soon as progesterone enters the process, pain and swelling pass. In the second half of the menstrual cycle, this hormone inhibits the properties of prolactin and estrogen and helps to normalize the structure of the mammary glands, returning them elasticity and softness.
The mammary glands are composed not only of glandular tissues, but also of blood vessels and nerve endings. The area near the nipples is especially sensitive, so the most intense pain is in this part of the chest. When glandular tissue overgrowth occurs, vascular compression occurs and swelling occurs. In addition, squeezing nerve endings leads to pain.
It should be borne in mind that the factors that provoke a situation when the chest is very sore in the middle of the cycle can have a different genesis. If the discomfort persists for a long time, you should consult a doctor to exclude possible pathologies.
Treatment
If pain during ovulation is accompanied by edema and becomes intolerable, drugs that have an analgesic effect are allowed. The most effective in this case is Naproxen, Ibuprofen, or acetylsalicylic acid known to everyone. Abuse these drugs is not worth it, you need to take them only in case of emergency. Reception can be carried out only if the doctor ruled out pathological processes. During pregnancy planning, taking painkillers is not recommended, as well as during the period of gestation.
Many women are interested on what day they do an ultrasound of the mammary glands. About it below.
With intense pain
If the pain syndrome is intense and regular, the doctor prescribes more potent drugs. But such drugs have a large number of contraindications and adverse reactions, so they can be taken only as directed by a specialist.
other methods
In addition, there are also other methods of pain relief during the menstrual cycle:
1. Contraceptive drugs. With their help, it is possible to adjust the menstrual cycle and relieve pain. The selection of oral contraceptives is a rather complex process that requires an individual approach. Some drugs from this group can also cause pain, due to a change in prolactin and estrogen.
2. Nutritional supplements containing magnesium. Doctors also prescribe various vitamin complexes. Magnesium nourishes the nervous system and eliminates soreness before the onset of menstruation.
3. Refusal of drinks containing caffeine. Caffeine-based coffee, tea, and energy can exacerbate symptoms by causing over-excitation of the nervous system.
You can not independently treat pain in the chest, since taking painkillers can complicate the diagnosis of diseases. In some cases, a mammogram is prescribed. The price of this procedure is quite high.
Pathological processes
There are a number of pathological conditions that can cause pain in the chest in the middle of the menstrual cycle:
1. Stagnant fluid. Tissues stretch under pressure, causing tingling and soreness. Nipples can hurt after ovulation. Fluid buildup can be caused by the abuse of carbonated drinks, alcohol, and salty foods. An unbalanced diet can also lead to pain, due to a deficiency of proteins and an excess of carbohydrates and fats. In addition, wearing tight underwear can lead to fluid stagnation. Lymph nodes located in the armpits should not be squeezed by seams on clothing, as they are responsible for the outflow of fluid. The main signs of fluid stagnation in the chest are a pulling sensation, swelling of the mammary glands and covering the skin with a blue mesh of blood vessels.
2. Mastodynia. This pathology can also lead to breast swelling, discomfort and soreness. Mastodynia is characterized by cutting pains and severe engorgement of the mammary glands. Before fertilization, the female reproductive system begins the active synthesis of prolactin and estrogen, which causes expansion of the ducts in the mammary glands. In the second half of the menstrual cycle, progesterone is secreted, which normalizes the milk ducts. If the progesterone level is low, the chest begins to hurt in the middle of the cycle.
3. Oncological disease. The most dangerous pathology, characterized by pain in the mammary glands. If a woman has found a lump in her chest, then she should immediately consult a mammologist. The main difficulty is that with oncology, soreness in the mammary glands indicates an advanced stage of the disease and requires surgical intervention. Doctors recommend palpation of the breast on their own for the timely detection of pathology.
4. Imbalance of hormonal balance. Deficiency or overabundance of one or another hormone can provoke pain in the mammary gland. At the same time, along with soreness in the chest, pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, vaginal dryness, general malaise, and other symptoms can occur. In this case, the ducts of the breast are in a constantly expanded state, and the gland tissues are enlarged. Treatment consists of taking hormonal drugs that restore balance and regulate the menstrual cycle.
On what day do breast ultrasounds?
The condition of the mammary glands is in direct connection with the phases of the menstrual cycle. In order for the results of the examination to be most accurate, ultrasound of the mammary glands should be done immediately after the end of menstruation, before the onset of ovulation (approximately 5-12 days after the start of the cycle). At this time, there is no swelling in the chest, the network of ducts is most clearly visible. In the second half of the cycle, the breast becomes swollen and denser, which is associated with the preparation of the body for pregnancy.
Anxiety symptoms
If a woman is worried about soreness in the chest area against the background of an approaching menstruation, you should visit a gynecologist and mammologist to exclude serious pathologies. At the same time, there are a number of signs against which it is necessary to visit a specialist immediately:
1. The mammary glands abnormally increased.
2. Prolonged constant soreness.
3. A feeling of heaviness and hardening of the chest.
4. Seals in the chest during palpation.
5. The pain is paroxysmal.
6. Other symptoms, such as lethargy, uncharacteristic discharge, headache, nausea.
Prevention
The main prevention of breast problems is a regular visit to the gynecologist and mammologist.
Most likely they will prescribe a mammogram. The price of this procedure is quite high. Cost fluctuations for this x-ray study reach several times. So, for example, the lower limit of the price of a mammography starts at 1,500 rubles, and the upper one can reach 8 thousand rubles.
Such a big difference is due mainly to the venue and the level of equipment available.
Only in this way can pathological processes be identified in a timely manner and the necessary measures taken. A woman should be responsible for her own health.
We examined why chest pain in the middle of the cycle.