Boobs will be boobs.
One will be bigger than the other, nipples will do their own thing, and when it’s that time of the month, they’ll suffer in pain too.
WATCH: Emma Chamberlain shows us how to look cute when we’re on our period
Yep, our periods don’t exactly invite our best selves – and more likely than not, you might have noticed your breasts feeling a little tender at the time.
But why? Well, Sara Twogood, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist and assistant professor of clinical OB/GYN at Keck Medicine of USC, lets us in on the secret.
HORMONES
Surprise surprise, but your hormones are going haywire depending on where you are in your cycle.
The two main hormones responsible: progesterone and estrogen.
Two weeks before your period, these two hormones will start growing, which then creates more tissue in your breasts. This then leads to tenderness or swelling.
After your period ends, these hormones drop, and the pain usually eases off.
CONTRACEPTION
Going onto the Pill can cause your boobs to swell.
When you first start the pill, your body and hormones need to adjust to it. The combined pill hormones with your natural body hormones can set off titty-pain.
After a few cycles, it should even out naturally, as your body will become used to being on the pill. If it bothers you and doesn’t ease off, ask your doctor to either switch or go on a type with lower estrogen dosage.
HOW TO FIX
There’s plenty one can do to ease the pain you feel in your breasts during your period.
- Regular exercise.
- Avoiding salty foods.
- Limiting caffeine.
- Taking ibuprofen to lower inflammation.
- Heat pads.
- Ice packs.
Other than that, there’s always the lounge, ice-cream and your trusty pajamas to get you through the week! You got this, girl.
Have a question for Dolly Doctor? Drop us an email – dollydoctor@aremedia.com.au
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