How Your Menstrual Cycle Can Affect The Pain You Experience During A Mammogram

If you have ever had a mammogram, you probably understand what to expect when it comes to pain and discomfort. While mammograms can be uncomfortable and slightly painful, there are things you can do to decrease the pain you feel. One of the ways is by scheduling your mammogram during the right time of your menstrual cycle.

How does your cycle affect your breasts?

Your breasts can change throughout the month, and these changes are often correlated with your cycle. One change you may experience is soreness and pain at certain times of the month. Most women experience soreness in their breasts during the week prior to their period. This type of soreness is referred to as a cyclic pain, because it occurs based on a woman's cycle.

Some women never experience this, though, but others do, and the pain can be mild or very severe. Those that do experience cyclic pain generally do so just before their period starts. Others feel the most painful during their periods, but every woman is different. Typically, women feel the least amount of pain in their breasts during the week after their period.

How can you use this to your benefit?

If you begin taking notes about the pain you have with your breasts, you may find a pattern similar to the one described here. If so, you can use this information to schedule your mammogram during a time when your breasts are not likely to hurt.

While a mammogram can be uncomfortable, it will be much worse if it is done when your breasts are sore and tender. By scheduling your appointment accordingly, you will have the opportunity to choose a date when your breasts will not be aching. This will make your mammogram less stressful and painful.

Are there other factors to consider?

The other factor to consider is the effects of caffeine on the breasts. Many women find that their breast pain is related to the caffeine they consume from drinking coffee, tea, or soda. Because of this, you might benefit by cutting caffeine out of your diet for several days prior to your mammogram.

Mammograms are encouraged because they can detect breast cancer at an early stage. While many women avoid getting them because of the pain, you should make a habit of getting one when your doctor recommends it. By following these tips, you might discover that a mammogram is really not as bad as you thought. To learn more, contact a mammography center (like Women's Care Inc).