Breast tenderness and pain are common during menstruation, but did you know that you can also experience it in the middle of the cycle during ovulation? The pain is medically referred to as cyclical m astalgia and may cause your breasts to feel tender, fuller, and heavier than usual. Many women in Australia get scared due to the sudden appearance of these symptoms, and it helps to understand why this happens and what it means for your menstrual cycle. In the following post, we will discuss this mid-cycle breast tenderness and how to deal with it.

How common is breast tenderness during the menstrual cycle?

Breast pain and tenderness are secondary symptoms of ovulation , and while some women might experience them, they are not very common. Primary symptoms such as changes in the consistency of cervical mucus, cervix position, and an increase in basal body temperature are considered primary symptoms and are more common than breast tenderness. What is the relation between mastalgia and ovulation? Ovulation is a complex process orchestrated by several hormones . Some of the hormones that play a crucial role in regulating ovulation include Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) , Folicle-Stimulating hormone (FSH) , Oestrogen , Luteinizing hormone ( LH ), and Progesterone . As the level of these hormones fluctuates in your body throughout the menstrual cycle, some noticeable changes do occur. Breast tenderness and mastalgia are some such symptoms. Let’s look at the actual cause of this happening during the middle of your cycle and how you can manage it.

The cause of breast pain during ovulation

Although the exact cause behind cyclical mastalgia is still under scientific investigation, some research-based causes include:

• There is an imbalance between the levels of the two most important sex hormones —o estrogen and progesterone — during the menstrual cycle, especially during the luteal phase. The lower progesterone level compared to oestrogen during this cycle phase might lead to mastalgia and tenderness of the breasts.
• Even minor prolactin spikes from everyday stress can heighten breast sensitivity. When stress prompts the pituitary gland to release extra prolactin, it makes breast nerve endings more reactive, resulting in noticeable discomfort during your cycle.
• Stress can cause hormonal imbalance and hence precipitate secondary ovulation symptoms, including breast pain and tenderness

The symptoms

If the breast pain and tenderness are associated with ovulation, you can start experiencing it as soon as your LH surge occurs, and it usually subsides as you ovulate. Some women can experience intense pain, which is barely noticeable in other cases. Some of the common symptoms of cyclic mastalgia include:

• Dull pain in the breast tissue, especially around the nipples
• Overall, swollen breasts that seem heavier than usual
• Increased sensitivity to touch, especially around the nipple area
• Sensitivity in the armpits

The treatment of sore breasts during ovulation

The treatment of cyclic mastalgia in Australia depends on the severity and extent of the pain and overall discomfort. If you have mild pain or sensitivity, treatment is usually unnecessary. However, if the pain becomes severe or bothersome, the doctors might prescribe you some medication to deal with it. Common recommendations for dealing with cyclic mastalgia include the following:

• Choosing a bra that is comfortable and supportive at the same time
• If the pain becomes too much to handle, you can take Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAIDs) medication like Ibuprofen
• Avoiding caffeine around ovulation can also help reduce the sensitivity and pain

While the recommendations above can help you deal with cyclic mastalgia in the short term, your doctor might suggest alternate steps for long-term mitigation. Some of the measures include:

• Changing your birth control pills
• Prescribing a pain medication
• Hormone therapy

Although there is no need for these options in most cases, if you experience cyclic mastalgia very often, you should talk to your doctor and explore all your options. Understanding your ovulation cycle can help you link mastalgia symptoms with LH peaks and fluctuations. Check out Fertility2Family’s ovulation tests in Australia today for accurate ovulation prediction.

How long will the breast pain last?

In most cases, mastalgia related to ovulation starts a couple of days before ovulation and ends once you have ovulated. Every woman is different, and your experience might be significantly different. The best way to manage the pain associated with cyclic mastalgia is to chart your symptoms so that you are in better control.

What are some other signs of ovulation?

As discussed above, cyclic mastalgia is not the only sign of ovulation. Several signs of ovulation are much more reliable in most women. Some of the early signs of ovulation include the following:

Changes in cervical mucus

One of the earliest signs of impending ovulation is a change in the consistency of your cervical mucus . The colour and texture of your cervical mucus change throughout your menstrual cycle due to a fluctuation in the oestrogen level . Here is what you should expect to experience throughout your cycle in terms of the colour and consistency of your cervical mucus:

• Just before you ovulate, the vaginal discharge increases in volume and the secretion appears transparent and stretchy.
• As you ovulate, the consistency of the cervical mucus approaches that of raw egg whites.
• Once you ovulate, the discharge appears cloudier and decreases in volume

You can learn more about cervical discharge and how to use it to predict ovulation by reading about Cervical mucus changes during ovulation .

Increase in basal body temperature.

Accurate Measurement of Basal Body Temperature

A dependable digital basal thermometer is key to accurately tracking your menstrual cycle. To ensure precise measurements:

• Measure your temperature each morning at the same time—right after waking and before any activity.
• Stay in bed for a few minutes while measuring to avoid external factors that might affect the reading.
• Choose a thermometer with at least 0.1 °C accuracy; a small rise (≈0.2 °C) can signal the transition from follicular to luteal phase.
• Consistently log your readings in a diary or tracking app to spot subtle temperature trends.
• Adhere to the manufacturer’s placement guidelines (oral or rectal) since consistent positioning ensures reliable results.

Following these steps ensures your basal body temperature measurements provide clear, evidence-based insights into your fertile window.

Most women experience a slight increase in their Basal Body Temperature (BBT) a few days after ovulation. If you use the correct type of thermometer, like the one available at Fertility2Family , you can predict whether you have ovulated quite easily. The increase in body temperature is not a lot, though. Your normal BBT lies somewhere between 36.11c to 36.38c during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Once you ovulate, the temperature can increase from 36.44 ° C to 37.00 ° C throughout the post-ovulatory phase, called the luteal phase. Check out our article on Basal Body Temperature & Timing Intercourse to learn more about how BBT is related to the menstrual cycle .

Increased libido and breast pain

Another good indicator of ovulation is an elevation of sexual desire. If you think about it, the increased libido is just your body telling you it is the right time to get pregnant. The oestrogen level is at its highest in your body around ovulation, which can be attributed to increased sexual desire. You might also be in a better mood during this time of your cycle. You might feel more creative, happier, and more energetic. For accurate ovulation prediction, check out our Basal ovulation thermometer in Australia!

Can breast pain and sensitivity indicate pregnancy?

Tenderness in your breast tissue, swelling, and mild pain are the most common pregnancy symptoms . As your hormones fluctuate once you get pregnant, tenderness in the breast is quite common. As ovulation and early pregnancy symptoms can sometimes overlap, it can be difficult to distinguish between them. Here are some useful tips for differentiating between breast pain due to pregnancy and ovulation.

• If the breast pain and sensitivity are somewhere in the middle of your cycle, it is a sign of ovulation rather than pregnancy. However, if the pain occurs any other time during your cycle, it might indicate pregnancy.
• Breast pain associated with ovulation usually resolves once the ovulation is complete. However, if it persists longer, it might indicate early pregnancy.

What are some other common causes of breast pain? Pain in your breast can be caused by several reasons other than ovulation . Some of the most common causes of breast pain include:

• Breastfeeding
• Infection
• Breast cancer
• Skin conditions like eczema
• Wearing a bra that is not the right fit and does not provide enough support

When to Consult a Healthcare Provider

Fluctuations in breast sensation are a normal part of your menstrual cycle. However, if your discomfort becomes more intense, lasts longer, or disrupts your daily life, seek a professional evaluation. Health experts stress that early assessment provides reassurance and can identify underlying issues.

Keeping a symptom diary helps you spot patterns and recognize any changes from your usual state. Trust your instincts and consult your healthcare provider if you notice anything unusual.

Evan kurzyp

Evan Kurzyp

Evan is the founder of Fertility2Family and is passionate about fertility education & providing affordable products to help people in their fertility journey. Evan is a qualified Registered Nurse and has expertise in guiding & managing patients through their fertility journeys.