Patient's question:
I experience hard and painful breasts every time I have my period and dare not touch them. What could be the cause? Thank you!Doctor's answer:
Breast tenderness and pain before and after menstruation are normal phenomena, so there is no need to worry too much. If the pain is not severe, the problem is not serious, but it cannot be ruled out that there may be conditions such as hyperplasia of the breast or pathological changes in the breast. If the pain is more severe, it is recommended that you go to the hospital for a breast examination to check for the presence of breast hyperplasia.Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that this is mainly related to emotional factors and liver qi stagnation. The treatment should focus on soothing the liver, regulating qi, and alleviating stagnation, which can be achieved through herbal medicine regulation. Herbs such as Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Xiang Fu (Angelica Sinensis), and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) can be used to treat liver qi stagnation. Examples include Qì Xué Hé Jiāo (Blood and Qi Harmony Capsule). This medicine is quite effective in relieving breast tenderness before menstruation.