At some point in your life, you may experience sore breasts like most women. Sore breasts after ovulation are a common occurrence. It is a result of production of hormones during your menstrual cycle. It is, therefore, no cause for alarm. The period between ovulation and the next period is usually uncomfortable for many women. This is because they experience breast tenderness and soreness.

What Causes Sore Breasts After Ovulation?

The menstrual cycle of a woman is greatly influenced by two reproductive hormones, progesterone and estrogen. A rise in the production of progesterone hormone causes sore breasts. Sore breasts are a good indicator that you have ovulated. With each day after ovulation, there is a rise in the level of progesterone, as your body gets ready for a possible pregnancy after ovulation has occurred.

A rise in the level of progesterone level causes the body to retain a lot of water, so as to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. The retention of water causes the body to swell in certain parts, most commonly the breasts. Water that is retained in tissue in the breast area causes the breasts to stretch, and this makes the breasts painful and very tender.

The severity and intensity of breast soreness after ovulation depends on the concentration of progesterone. As the level of progesterone hormone varies from woman to woman, some women may experience sore breasts more than others.

Home Remedies for Sore Breasts After Ovulation

Having sore breasts is a natural occurrence as mentioned earlier, and in most cases is not severe. However, it is advised that you consult a physician if breast soreness causes a lot of discomfort.

There are certain home measures and treatments that you can take to help relieve the pain and discomfort that arises from breast tenderness:

• Change all your under-garments and find yourself a support bra that not only provides comfort, but supports your breasts as well.
• Apply cold compresses on the painful area of your breast and take ice cubes from the fridge and wrap them in a towel. Place the wrapped ice cubes over the painful breast area and hold for 5 to 10 minutes. Carry out this procedure at least three times a day. This is the most effective way of relieving pain that is caused by breast soreness after ovulation.
• Reduce the amount of salt that you take. Salt helps to retain water. Reducing the amount of salt that you take will help to reduce the amount of water that is retained, thus reducing the amount of water that is retained in the breast.
• During this phase, you have to remain active, and eat carbohydrate and low fat diet.
• Eat foods that are rich in fiber. This includes fruits, and green leafy vegetables. Foods that are rich in fiber help regulate the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones. This in turn helps to reduce breast tenderness and pain.
• When breasts become enlarged and swollen after ovulation, soft and slow massage with essential oils brings relief of the pain and tenderness. Lanolin or sweet almond oil can treat and prevent any fissures and cracks on the nipples effectively.

Some methods used for breast soreness are useful for breast soreness after ovulation. Watch the following video and learn how to relieve breast tenderness:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Other Factors Affect My Breasts’ Soreness?

Consumption of foods that contain caffeine such as tea, coffee, chocolate and caffeinated sodas may affect breasts’ soreness. Such foods can cause the blood vessels to expand. This causes the breasts to swell and become inflated, which often leads to discomforting pain. Hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills can make breast pain more severe. This is because of the amount of progesterone and estrogen that is contained in them. Heart and cholesterol-lowering medications can also cause breast tenderness and soreness. Too much stress can also worsen breast pain.

2. How Long Does Breast Soreness Last?

Experiencing sore breasts after ovulation varies from person to person. Some women experience breast soreness before they start ovulating until the time their periods start. Breast soreness usually reduces when periods begin. This is because the hormone levels drop when the flow begins.

3. What Does Pain in Different Locations of My Breasts Mean?

If the pain is on the sides of your breasts, what this indicates is that ovulation has already occurred. If the pain is in the front of your breasts or over the nipple area, then this is an indication that there is more estrogen that is being produced in the body, which may mean ovulation has not taken place. If you experience pain both in the front and both sides of the breasts, this can mean that ovulation has already taken place, but there is not enough progesterone produced after ovulation, thus the dominance of the estrogen hormone.