Breast Pain After Your Period: Is It Normal? Why It Happens

Quick answer: why do I get breast pain after my period?

Breast pain after your period is often not caused by your period, because period-related breast pain usually starts up to 2 weeks before your period and goes away when it ends. Pain that starts or stays after your period is more likely to come from something else, such as hormonal birth control, a strained muscle in the chest, neck, shoulder or back, or a breast condition, and it is rarely a sign of cancer.

See a GP or doctor if the pain does not get better, if it is in one spot, or if you notice a lump, nipple discharge or skin changes. The full list is in when to see a doctor below.

Two types of breast pain

Doctors sort breast pain into two types. Knowing which type you have helps you and your doctor decide what to do.

Cyclic breast pain

Cyclic breast pain follows your menstrual cycle. Typical signs:

Begins up to 2 weeks before a period, gets worse, and then goes away when the period ends
Feels dull, heavy or aching
Affects both breasts, and sometimes spreads to the armpit

Cyclic pain comes in the second half of your cycle, after ovulation, and is usually worst in the week before your period. It eases once bleeding starts, and one breast may hurt more than the other. This is the most common type of breast pain, in up to two-thirds of people who have it.

Most cyclic pain is gone by the time your period ends. If your cycles are short, the 2 weeks before your next period can start only a few days after bleeding stops. In that case, pain that returns soon after your period can still be cyclic.

Noncyclic breast pain

Noncyclic breast pain is not linked to your cycle. It usually affects one breast in one specific area. It can be there all the time, or it can come and go. It is about one-third of breast pain cases, and is most common in people in their 40s and 50s.

Breast pain that starts after your period, or that does not ease when your period ends, often fits this type better.

Common causes of breast pain after your period

Hormonal birth control and other medicines

Cyclic breast pain can come from hormone changes caused by hormonal birth control or hormone therapy for menopause, as well as from the menstrual cycle. The contraceptive pill is a cause of breast pain. Other medicines linked to breast pain include estrogen replacement therapy, some antidepressants (SSRIs such as fluoxetine), water pills (diuretics), spironolactone and some antipsychotic medicines.

If the pain started after you began a new medicine or a new type of birth control, tell your doctor. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice.

Pain from the chest wall, neck, shoulder or back

An injury or strain in the neck, shoulder or back can be felt as breast pain. Costochondritis (inflammation where the ribs join the breastbone) is a common cause of pain from outside the breast. If the pain is in your chest rather than your breast, see our guide to chest pain during your period. Shingles can also cause pain in the breast, with a painful blistering rash on the skin.

Fibrocystic breast changes

Fibrocystic breast changes are a common cause of breast pain. Fibrocystic breast tissue has lumps or cysts that tend to be more tender just before a period.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a cause of breast pain. Breast tenderness is more common in the first trimester. If you could be pregnant, do a pregnancy test.

Infection

Mastitis and a breast abscess can cause breast pain. Mastitis most often happens during breastfeeding. The breast can be red, swollen, warm and painful in one area, often with a fever and flu-like symptoms.

Menopause

Hormone changes during menopause are a cause of breast pain, unless a person takes hormone replacement therapy.

Is breast pain after my period a sign of cancer?

Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a sign of cancer. Breast pain is not a common symptom of cancer. Noncyclic breast pain can be caused by breast cancer in rare cases.

Doctors usually recommend breast imaging for pain that is in one spot and not linked to your cycle. Pain that is spread out and follows your cycle usually needs only routine screening for your age.

Pain together with a lump, nipple changes or skin changes is different. Get those checked, as listed below.

When to see a GP or doctor

See a GP about breast pain if:

The pain is not getting better, or painkillers are not helping
There is a history of breast cancer in your family
You have any signs of pregnancy

Ask for an urgent GP appointment, or call NHS 111 in the UK, if:

You have breast pain and a very high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
Any part of your breast is red, hot or swollen
There is a hard lump in your breast that does not move around
You get nipple discharge, which may have blood in it
One or both breasts change shape
The skin on your breast is dimpled, like orange peel
You have a rash on or around your nipple, or your nipple has sunk into your breast

Tell your doctor about pain that is in one place or is getting worse, a new lump, skin thickening, and nipple scaling or redness. Contact a doctor about a new lump that does not go away after your period, or breast pain that does not go away and has no clear cause.

Outside the UK, contact your usual doctor, gynecologist or urgent care service with these signs.

What helps breast pain

Simple self-care:

Painkillers such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen, or a painkilling gel rubbed on the breasts
A well-fitted bra during the day, and a soft bra to sleep in

Heat or ice on the breast and a supportive bra, such as a sports bra, are also suggested.

Some common tips have little evidence behind them. There is little evidence that vitamin E tablets or evening primrose oil help. There is no good evidence that less fat, caffeine or chocolate in your diet reduces breast pain. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start any medicine or supplement.

If you use combined hormonal birth control and have cyclic pain, taking it continuously may help. Ask your ob-gyn or GP if this is right for you. For severe pain, a doctor may prescribe medicine for a short time.

Note when the pain happens in your cycle

A record of when your breast pain happens helps your doctor tell cyclic pain from noncyclic pain. Your doctor should ask when your symptoms started and how bad they are. Over two or three cycles, note:

The cycle day (day 1 is the first day of bleeding), and when your period ended
One breast or both, and where the pain is
How it feels: dull, heavy, aching, sharp or burning
How bad it is on a 0 to 10 scale
Any new medicine or birth control
Any lump, nipple change or skin change you notice

Breast self-awareness is also recommended: know how your breasts normally look and feel, so you notice changes.

The Endolog symptom tracker app is one way to keep this record next to your cycle and share it at your appointment. Our guide to a pain diary for your doctor explains how to bring the record to a visit.

FAQ: breast pain after your period

Is it normal for my breasts to hurt a week after my period?

Period-related breast pain usually goes away when your period ends. With a short cycle, cyclic pain can come back soon after your period. Pain that does not follow your cycle, is in one spot, or is getting worse should be checked by a doctor.

Why does only one breast hurt after my period?

Noncyclic pain usually affects one breast in one specific area. Causes include injury, infection, medicines and large breast size. See a doctor about pain in one spot, especially if it is getting worse.

Can birth control cause breast pain after my period?

Yes. The contraceptive pill is a cause of breast pain, and hormonal birth control can cause cyclic breast pain. Talk to your doctor if the pain started with a new method.

Does caffeine cause breast pain?

There is no good evidence that cutting down caffeine, fat or chocolate reduces breast pain.