Breast - premenstrual tenderness and swelling

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Breast self-exam

Breast self-exam

Breast self-exam

Female breast

Premenstrual tenderness and swelling of the breasts

Self-care may include restricting dietary fat to approximately 25% of total daily calorie intake and eliminating caffeine. Breast self-examination should be performed monthly.

A well-fitting bra 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 to decrease symptoms.

Depo-Provera, a long-acting injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate used as a contraceptive, is also available for those who experience premenstrual breast swelling and tenderness. Depo-Provera relieves symptoms by eliminating menstrual periods.

Danazol, a synthetic androgen (male hormone), may be used in severe cases when the potential benefit is thought to outweigh the potential bad side effects.

• You have unilateral (one-sided), new, unusual, or changing lumps in breast tissue.
• You do not know how to properly perform a breast self-examination.
• You are a woman, age 40 or older, and have never had a screening mammogram.

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. Medical history questions documenting premenstrual breast tenderness may include:

• Does the tenderness occur with every menstrual period?
• Do you know how to do breast self-examination?
• Have you noticed any breast lumps?
• What other symptoms are also present?

Your health care provider will check for breast lumps, and note the qualities of the lump (firm or soft, smooth or bumpy, and so on).

Diagnostic tests:

A mammogram or breast ultrasound may be performed to evaluate any abnormalities found in a breast exam. If a lump is found that is not clearly benign, a breast biopsy may be necessary.

Review Date: 05/23/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network