Natural treatments for cyclic breast pain
Cyclic breast pain, also known as cyclic mastalgia, is a common condition that often correlates with the menstrual cycle, resulting in symptoms such as breast tenderness and lumpiness. While conventional treatments typically involve anti-inflammatory medications or hormonal therapies, many women seek natural alternatives for relief. Among the principal natural treatments, chasteberry is notable for its potential to regulate prolactin levels, which may alleviate breast pain. Studies have shown positive effects of chasteberry on PMS symptoms, including breast tenderness. Ginkgo biloba is another herb that has demonstrated promise, reportedly helping to relieve major PMS symptoms, particularly breast pain, in some trials.
Other natural remedies explored include evening primrose oil, which is thought to address essential fatty acid imbalances, though research findings on its effectiveness are mixed. Additional options like diindolylmethane, red clover isoflavones, and soy protein have been minimally studied with inconclusive results. Lifestyle modifications, such as dietary adjustments, regular exercise, and stress management techniques like yoga and meditation, may also contribute to symptom relief. Overall, while various natural treatments exist, their effectiveness can vary, and individuals should consult healthcare providers to tailor an approach best suited to their needs.
Natural treatments for cyclic breast pain
- DEFINITION: Treatment of breast pain, most often associated with the menstrual cycle.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Chasteberry, Ginkgo biloba
- OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Diindolylmethane, evening primrose oil, iodine, red clover isoflavones, soy, vitamin E, flaxseed, diet, exercise, lifestyle changes
Introduction
Some women’s breasts are unusually tender and lumpy, with symptoms of pain and dull heaviness that vary with the menstrual cycle. This condition is called cyclic mastalgia or cyclic mastitis and is often associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The condition is called fibrocystic breast disease when the lumps become significant enough to be called cysts.
Besides discomfort, perhaps the worst problem of this condition is that it can mimic the appearance of breast cancer on mammograms, leading to false alarms. To make matters worse, fibrocystic changes can also hide true cancers, and some evidence hints that women with fibrocystic breast disease may also have a greater tendency toward breast cancer.
The cause of cyclic breast pain is unclear. One theory, popular in Europe, suggests that higher than normal levels of the hormone prolactin may be involved. Another theory attributes the condition to an imbalance of essential fatty acids. Conventional treatment for cyclic mastalgia involves anti-inflammatory medications and, sometimes, hormonal treatments.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Cyclic mastalgia often occurs in connection with PMS.
Chasteberry. In Germany, the herb chasteberry is frequently used to treat cyclic mastalgia and other symptoms of PMS because of its effect on the pituitary gland to suppress the release of prolactin. Some evidence suggests that chasteberry is effective for this purpose. For example, a double-blind trial of 104 women compared a placebo with two forms of chasteberry (liquid and tablet) for at least three menstrual cycles.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study, enrolling 178 women, evaluated chasteberry for PMS in general. The results over three menstrual cycles indicated that chasteberry reduced breast tenderness and other PMS symptoms. Benefits were also seen in two other double-blind trials enrolling more than 250 women.
Ginkgo biloba. Although the herb Ginkgo biloba is primarily used to enhance memory and mental function, it may also be helpful for breast tenderness. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated 143 women eighteen to forty-five years of age with PMS symptoms and followed them for two menstrual cycles. Each woman received either the ginkgo extract (80 milligrams twice daily) or a placebo on day sixteen of the first cycle. Treatment was continued until day five of the next cycle and resumed again on day sixteen of that cycle. Compared with placebo, ginkgo significantly relieved major symptoms of PMS, especially breast pain.
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
Evening primrose oil contains relatively high concentrations of the essential omega-6 fatty acid named gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). On the theory that essential fatty acid imbalances play a role in cyclic mastalgia, evening primrose oil became a popular treatment for this condition. However, despite numerous positive anecdotes, there are considerable doubts about whether it is effective. The main supporting evidence for GLA comes from small double-blind studies.
All of these trials, however, had significant limitations in study design and reporting. A large (555-participant) and well-designed study failed to find GLA, with or without antioxidants, any more effective than placebo. The placebo by itself, however, was found to be quite effective, possibly explaining why so many doctors and patients believe that evening primrose oil is helpful. Another well-designed study found that evening primrose oil, by itself or with fish oil, is not more effective than placebo for cyclic breast pain. Other studies found evening primrose oil ineffective for established breast cysts.
Fish oil taken alone has failed to prove effective for cyclic breast pain. According to one small double-blind trial, the substance diindolylmethane might be helpful for cyclic mastalgia.
A small and poorly reported double-blind, placebo-controlled trial provides weak evidence that red clover isoflavones might reduce symptoms of cyclic mastalgia. Another small study suggests possible benefits of soy protein. Weak evidence suggests the supplement iodine may also be helpful for cyclic mastalgia.
Like chasteberry, the herb bugleweed appears to reduce prolactin levels, so it has been tried for the treatment of cyclic mastalgia. However, this herb affects the thyroid gland, so it is not recommended.
Many conventional and alternative practitioners suggest avoiding caffeine. However, despite the popularity of this intervention, there is no consistent evidence that caffeine causes breast pain. Individuals are also recommended to limit salt intake.
In the twenty-first century, research continued into natural ways to manage cyclic breast pain. A study published in 2019 looked at several herbal remedies and concluded that supplementing with Nigella sativa, wheat germ, curcumin, and citrus essential oil all seem to be effective in treating cyclic breast pain. Adding flaxseed and vitamin E to the diet also seemed to alleviate some cyclic breast pain symptoms. Warm and cold compresses held to the breast have also been suggested, as has choosing a comfortable and supportive bra. Managing stress through yoga and mediation and committing to getting regular exercise may also be beneficial.
Bibliography
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