PMS symptoms

[sdwellington.livejournal.com]

When I'm PMSing (as in right now, which is why I finally remembered to post this) I get very sore breasts. It hurts to lie on my stomach when I'm trying to sleep sometimes and going down stairs is hell (even with a bra on). It's not negatively affecting my life really, but it is something I would care to do without.

Is there anything I could do for this? I know painkillers might help, but I don't really want to rely on them if there's a possibility of something else that might help.

any help is much appreciated! Thank you very much in advance!

Comments

[kelsietrpt.livejournal.com]

I know this prolly isn't something you want to hear (I'm STILL in denial about it...), but for a lot of women, things like caffeine and alcohol and sugary foods can REALLY exacerbate breast pain during PMS. I'm a perfect example, actually, of someone whose (fibrocystic) boobs hurt CONSTANTLY, mainly because I just can't go without my two daily cups of coffee. The few times I've been forced to lay off of the coffee for a week (due to illness), I've noticed a MARKED decrease in breast pain. As soon as I have that next, glorious cup, they hurt again.

SO, if you're a coffee/alcohol drinker, you might try cutting way back the week before your period and see if that helps!

Also, I've found heat to be very soothing to sore breasts--a heating pad or a hot water bottle in bed can feel very nice. I've heard women have had success by taking daily doses of Evening Primrose Oil, as well, so you might look into that. It never did anything for me, but massaging my breasts externally with the oil seemed to help a little. :) Any sort of gentle breast massage with a soothing, healing oil might actually help.

I think your main focus should be eating as "cleanly" as possible the week before your period--avoiding foods high in refined sugars, sodium, "bad" fats, and, of course, the aforementioned alcohol/caffeine. From all I've experienced, it really does help a lot, even though I often don't do it like I should!

[sdwellington.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't drink coffee or alcohol but I am going to cut back on my soda intake (hopefully to none by the end of the month!) so we'll see if that helps!

thanks for that, I'll try a massage when I get some oil!

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

I've had this all my life, but very recently (i.e. the last three cycles) it's become noticeably worse, and almost unbearable. I was recommended by the women at the health clinic where I volunteer the same thing as mentioned above -- cutting caffeine and sugar, primarily.

Now, I haven't actually done that, as I have a horrible Coca-Cola addiction, but... there ya go. :D

[my-neighborhood.livejournal.com]

This was absolutely horrible for me before I got on HBC.

I don't have anything that will help it, but what WILL make most PMS symptoms worse is caffiene. I'm a totally caffiene addict, so I always forget until after I've a coffee or coke and then am in even more pain.