The woman will often feel increasing fullness, heaviness, and tenderness in the two weeks before her period. In some women, the breast pain symptoms are much more severe, but will abate after her period. A less common, but troublesome, type of breast pain is either constant or spasmodic. Some women describe sharp shooting pains, or severe pains that are occasionally mistaken for heart attack. A number of remedies have been tried, but with limited success.
Some women reduce caffeine intake.
Some benefit from natural diuretics, such as grapefruit juice, just before their period. Some find that the extra blood flow from either a heating pad or vigorous massage of their breasts will relieve pain. Other women respond more favorably to ice bags on their breasts for about 20 minutes at a time. Some women find their symptoms improve with rosehips tea, oil of evening primrose or vitamin E lotion, or vigorous exercise.