Why Am I Having Sore Breasts After Ovulation – Is It Normal?

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Sore breasts after ovulation

Sore breasts after ovulation or breast aches around ovulation are normal. Some women may feel discomfort during ovulation, ranging from minor to severe. A woman might feel pain in one or both breasts. This pain in the breast is referred to as mastalgia. It can also be a probable pregnancy symptom (we will explain it later in this article).

Ovulation is a process in which a female ovary releases an egg each month. It occurs almost about 14 days before a period starts. It is different for each cycle, e.g., for a 28 days cycle, a woman would ovulate on day 14. Similarly, for 31 days cycle, a woman would ovulate on day 17. The chances of getting pregnant during the time of ovulation are high.

Is it normal to have sore breasts after ovulation?

It is normal to have sore breasts after ovulation. Many women experience tenderness and sore breasts after ovulation due to a high level of progesterone in the body. The progesterone level in the female body increases each day after ovulation until either she gets her periods or she gets pregnant. The progesterone level decreases if a woman has her periods but increases if she gets pregnant.

Women with sore breasts must consider wearing loose and comfortable bras or taking some painkillers to battle this soreness. However, we recommend you first understand how ovulation links to having sore breasts and only then find solutions for it.

Effects of ovulation on body

During the different phases of the menstrual cycle, hormonal instability occurs. This hormonal instability can cause various symptoms in the woman’s body. Every woman’s body acts differently, so the symptoms may also differ. They depend on how sensitive the body is to that hormonal change.

Some of the symptoms a woman may experience are:

  • Sore breasts
  • Clear vaginal discharge before ovulation
  • Increased body temperature
  • Spotting or light bleeding
  • Increased sex drive
  • Pain in ovaries

Here we review some of the symptoms in more detail.

Sore breasts

Sore breasts after ovulation or breast pain can occur throughout the cycle. Breast discomfort during the cyclic changes is known as cyclic mastalgia.

Pain in ovaries

Pain in the ovaries typically appears in the abdominal or pelvic region and is often linked to ovulation. This pain usually lasts only a few minutes or hours. Observing these symptoms can help a woman predict when she is ovulating.

Also Read: When Do Boobs Stop Growing?

How long do breasts sore after ovulation?

Discomfort or soreness in the breast typically starts at the time of ovulation and lasts until either a woman gets her periods or gets pregnant.

These symptoms in each case are different. A woman can find out if these symptoms are related to her menstrual cycle or not by tracking her symptoms each month to see when they start and stop.

What are the other causes of sore breasts?

The other causes of sore breasts include:

Pregnancy

Any breast changes like soreness, itching, pain, and tenderness can be early pregnancy signs. These symptoms can occur as early as one week after getting pregnant and will improve after a few weeks.

Symptoms of early pregnancy

Other symptoms of early pregnancy include

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Bloating
  • Cramps
  • Increased urination
  • Missed periods

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can also cause sore breasts, especially if breastfeeding for the first time.

Causes of sore breasts due to breastfeeding can be

  • Improper position
  • Improper posture
  • Inverted nipples
  • Blocked ducts

Sometimes soreness of the breast can be due to an infection in the breast known as mastitis.

Signs of breast infection are

  • Breast pain
  • Breast tenderness
  • Change in the color of breast
  • Warm breasts
  • Bleeding
  • Fever
  • Chills

A woman must consult a doctor if she observes any symptoms while breastfeeding.

Menstrual cycle and sore breasts

The linkage between sore breasts and the menstrual cycle is a medically proven fact. Some women may experience sore breasts after ovulation during the menstrual cycle. Sore breasts or breast tenderness is normal during the menstrual cycle. It begins at the start of the cycle and lasts until it ends.

Hormonal imbalance

If a woman does not ovulate, there is a hormonal imbalance between progesterone and estrogen. A high level of estrogen and a low level of progesterone can be the reason for sore breasts.

Breast cancer

Sore breasts can be a sign of breast cancer. Other symptoms of breast cancer include

  • A lump in the breast
  • A lump in the underarm region
  • Pain in the breast
  • Swelling in the breast
  • Nipple discharge
  • Itchy breasts
  • Skin irritation
  • Redness of the breasts
  • The thickness of the breast skin
  • Inverted nipples

If a woman observes any of these symptoms, we recommend immediately consulting a doctor as these symptoms can be alarming.

Skin problems

Any skin condition like eczema or allergy can cause dryness and irritation of the breast skin leading to soreness.

Also Read: Dangers Of Skin Bleaching During Pregnancy

Miscellaneous

Other causes of sore breasts include

  • Wearing tight clothes
  • Wearing a small or tight bra
  • Rubbing the breasts
  • Certain drugs

Can sore breasts cause discomfort?

The discomfort in sore breasts after ovulation can be mild or severe. If the discomfort is severe, it affects your routine life and does not go away even after the menstrual cycle, then consult your doctor. He may advise you on some hormone blockers or birth control pills. These will treat your hormone-related symptoms.

Dietary changes such as avoiding alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and high fat-containing food can also help to treat the discomfort.

Conclusion

Sore breasts after ovulation are usually due to high progesterone levels. It is a really good sign of ovulation. With each passing day after ovulation, the progesterone level in the female body increases until you either get your period or get pregnant. The progesterone level increases when a woman is pregnant and decreases if a woman gets her periods.

Also read: Discuss This With Your Partner Before Getting Pregnant.

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