# My boobs frickin' HURT...any advice, ladies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 4, 2000, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002 "2000-09-04T20:44:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/21 "2000-09-05T07:15:15Z")
You know, Ruffian, I was thinking about this last night and I was wondering if all the stress you’ve been through might be behind this? I know my body feels like crap and all of my regular symptoms (cramps, headaches, ect) get a heck of a lot worse when I’m going through a rough time. With all you’ve been through these last couple of months, it seems reasonable that your body would start acting up on ya. Just a thought. Take care, and have a good first day of school. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/22 "2000-09-05T15:31:59Z")
> [@](#): > > No, no “kiss and make it better” replies, please. How about maybe a nice, gentle massage? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/23 "2000-09-05T15:46:14Z")
I’m with tatertot. I remember jogging across the street one summer day, and realizing -gad’s MY BOOBS HURT !!! went in the house, glanced at the calendar, oh shit. took a test, yep. That’s the ONLY time I remember my boobs hurting like that. take a test, quickly, please, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. ---
**Author:** ![magdalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/24 "2000-09-05T15:58:12Z")
Mine always hurt during PMS. They hurt more when I was on orthotricyclen. Ortho cleared my skin up and kept me from getting pregnant but it had the unfortunate side effect of sore boobies and weight gain. Going off the Pill has helped with the pain and hopefully (over time) with the weight. They’ve been all itchy lately too, but I think it might just be the stress of moving. I’m going to try the hot and cold compress methods suggested here. Tylenol can’t hurt either. Good luck, Ruffian! Talk to your doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Kiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kiki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiki)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/25 "2000-09-05T16:23:27Z")
Mine only hurt when I was pregnant, not during PMS. After having the babies and nursing and all that, hot showers were great for my boobs. I’ve also heard that putting cabbage leaves on your boobs takes the sting out. I never tried that though. Definitely take a pregnancy test. Just for peace of mind if nothing else. Also, make sure your doing your monthly exams. ---
**Author:** ![DeathLlama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DeathLlama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeathLlama)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/26 "2000-09-05T19:50:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Omniscient \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > No, no “kiss and make it better” replies, please. > > How about maybe a nice, gentle massage? \*\* Got it covered. Thanks for your concern. ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/27 "2000-09-05T20:02:13Z")
Mine would always hurt the week before my period when I was on the pill–I’m off the pill now, and no sore boobs. You may want to talk to your doctor about this; he may be able to prescribe something different with a lower hormone dosage. And, if you’re feeling sore, don’t be off jogging–that’s only going to aggravate them! ---
**Author:** ![JTR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee59a6/32.png) [@JTR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JTR)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/28 "2000-09-05T22:07:30Z")
My girlfriend gets sore boobs some months, and when it happens she blames it on coffee. I tell her to either quit dunking them or at least wait until the coffee cools off. ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/29 "2000-09-06T00:32:22Z")
It is extraordinarily unlikely that I’m pregnant. We’re talkin’ darn-close-to-immaculate-conception in the unliklihood scale. Just to make y’all happy (and to settle my nerves), I _will_ take a pregnancy test tomorrow with my doc. She’ll be checking out the cyst on my elbow, but eh, what’s a little reproductive health on the side. I’ve done s’more research. And here we go: > [@](#): > > **Reasons Why Ruffian Is Not Pregnant** > _data and statistics provided by [Allhealth.com](http://Allhealth.com)_ > > **1. Birth control method #1: The Pill** > **Effectiveness:** _97%-99.9%_ > **Possible side effects:** > > 1. Nausea or vomiting (usually during the first few cycles) > 2. Weight changes (dammit, this came true for me) > 3. **Breast tenderness** \<–hel-LO folks…I’ve had this symptom about every other month or so, including this one > 4. Abdominal cramps (yay, another one for me) > 5. Skin discoloration. > 6. Bladder and vaginal infections (whee. another side effect for Ruffian) > 7. Changes in sex drive (either increased or decreased) > 8. Loss of scalp hair (wow, that sucks…don’t have that one) > 9. Intolerance to contact lenses (because of water retention). > **Why the Pill Sometimes Fails** > The following are among the reasons cited by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (details truncated): > > [li]Skipping pills: This is probably the main reason for reduced effectiveness. (Nope.)[/li] > [li]Illness: If a woman becomes sick with vomiting or diarrhea, the oral contraceptives may not be fully absorbed. (Nada.)[/li] > [li]Medication interaction: Some medications can diminish the pill’s effectiveness, including certain antibiotics (rifampin, and perhaps ampicillin and tetracycline); epilepsy drugs (Dilan- tin); anti-inflammatory or antiarthritic drugs (phenylbutazone); and barbiturates (phenobarbital). (I’m on none of the above.)[/li] > **2. Birth control method #2: Withdrawal** > **Effectiveness:** \* 82%-96%\* > (although this is estimated and depends on the circumstance) Okay. Combine those two and do the math (no really, you do it…I have no idea how to) and you wind up with an ex_treme_ly unlikely possibility that I’m preggers. Next: Consider that tender boobs have been a regular part of PMS for me, sometimes being sore for over a week (as is the case this month). They are, BTW, noticeably better for the first time today. Not _all_ better, but not as obnoxious as Sunday. Also consider that I come from a family where sterility is a seeming inevitability. Polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis are all over my family tree. For the last 4 generations, _every_ woman on my mother’s side has had to have a hysterectamy, sometimes before menopause. My older sister will have one at age 40 (they’re delaying it now as best they can; she’s 35). And…both of my sisters, though once fertile (I have 2 nephews and a niece), are now sterile. So there. Of course, I’ll come back and tell y’all what the doc says tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![CanadianSue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@CanadianSue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanadianSue)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/30 "2000-09-06T01:51:14Z")
Ruff, I can really sympathize with you. I’m on the pill too and I’ve found that as I hit my late 20’s and early 30’s a week to two weeks before my period my breasts start to swell and they hurt like hell. Even accidently brushing a hand across them puts me in agony. I’ve tried heat, cold, tylenol and sometimes a little of each helps. Last month I did the frozen veggie thing, putting a bag of frozen veggies on each one. It worked after I had my son so I thought it might now and it didn’t do too badly, giving me some relief. Try psy’s sports bra idea too, that seems to take a bit of the pressure off. I’ll be interested in what your doctor has to say. Take Care ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/31 "2000-09-06T02:57:19Z")
Ruffian- Here’s my advice as a female MD: 1)Get that pregnancy test! 2)If its negative you probably have fibrocystic changes-that means breast tissue forms cysts that grow and shrink with hormone changes. Things that make it worse: Birth control pills Caffeine Things that make it better: Decreasing caffeine Vitamin E 400-800IU daily (I did not learn this in med school but I swear by it now-it has worked for many many patients). I wouold try to cut down caffeine (Iknow, I know) and the vitamin E. If that doesn’t work, consider changing birth control. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/32 "2000-09-06T03:12:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CanadianSue \* > \*\*…my breasts start to swell and they hurt like hell > > \*\* Reminds me of the joke when the guy got stung on the unit by a wasp… “Doc, can you take away the pain but leave the swelling?” Just an additional note… Two different SO’s have told me they had sore breasts. Result: One miscarriage, one son. ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/33 "2000-09-06T03:15:54Z")
> [@](#): > > If its negative you probably have fibrocystic changes-that means breast tissue forms cysts that grow and shrink with hormone changes. I (and the other women in my family) am all too familiar with these cysts. I have them constantly, and they’re always changing. (A doc told my sister, who’s equally lumpy–well, she was before her augmentation–that she just had “lumpy bumpy breasts.”) Breast exams are difficult for me because, well, I _always_ have lumps. My doc says just to get familiar with them; see if they come and go (as cysts do), or if they get brick hard and go nowhere (ominous music). I just did a quick breast check, and where they are most tender, they are most lumpy. The sides of my breasts (by the armpit) is super tender, and feels like there are peas underneath the skin. These places have been, historically, where the majority of my cysts show up. Well, yay. And yes, I’m getting the pregnancy test. I know I could wait until my period next week, but in the remote, _remote_ possibility I’m pregnant, I want to know ASAP so I can start caring for the itty bitty baby ruff-llama. But…I’m still saying I’m not. 😉 I’ll keep y’all informed on what has become _As Ruffian’s Breasts Swell…_ ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/34 "2000-09-06T03:37:14Z")
> [@](#): > > Okay. Combine those two and do the math (no really, you do it…I have no idea how to) and you wind up with an extremely unlikely possibility that I’m preggers. The absolute range is 99.46-99.996% effective for the combined methods. To get the lower precentage I combined the two lower numbers and to get the higher percentage I combined the two higher numbers. The actual range is somewhere in between, but to figure that out I’d have to get out my notes on error analysis. I really, really don’t want to do that. The difference would be minimal, in my estimation (can you tell I spend most of my time in GQ and GD?). As far as your problem, I can’t help you as I have no first hand knowledge. Going to the doctor to talk about it and getting a pregnancy test don’t seem like bad ideas though. The odds that you are pregnant are about equal to (actually, slightly better than) dying in an airline crash, but people still die from those on occasion. Don’t be overly comforted by statistics. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/35 "2000-09-06T03:40:54Z")
> [@](#): > > The odds that you are pregnant… I muddled the statistics somewhat. This should read “The odds you could be come pregnant from using this combined method of birth control over a year…” I was trying to make a point, but that’s no reason to misrepresent the facts, sorry **Ruffian** :). ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/36 "2000-09-06T05:49:45Z")
The Pill, nursing and condoms is what I was using three weeks after my son was born when I got pregnant with my fifth. Can I be second runner-up for fertility goddess? Never had the problem before the kids, but I do now. It feels like right before they were ready to nurse. That sucks! I always tell my husband don’t look at them don’t touch them, don’t even think about them! Got some great advice already, so nothing more to add. Not to hyjack, but does anyone have advice about the nasty break outs due to PMS? ---
**Author:** ![CanadianSue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@CanadianSue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanadianSue)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/37 "2000-09-06T06:21:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rysdad \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by CanadianSue \* > > \*\*…my breasts start to swell and they hurt like hell > > > > \*\* > > Reminds me of the joke when the guy got stung on the unit by a wasp… > > “Doc, can you take away the pain but leave the swelling?” > > \*\* I wish the swelling would stay. When I was pregnant with my son the booby fairy gaveth… after he was born, that damn fairy taketh away 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/38 "2000-09-06T06:59:47Z")
I am sure that many women want to send a lynch mob out for that fairy! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2000, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/39 "2000-09-07T01:09:31Z")
😉 I’m officially _ **NOT** _ pregnant. When I told my doctor I wanted a test–and she asked for my method(s) of birth control–she snorted and chuckled. I said, “Hey, I know it’s nuts. But enough people are telling me to take a test that I’m just taking the test and getting it over with.” So there. She wouldn’t do a breast exam, though, as this is PMS-week, and they’re more cystic this time of month. I’ll go in for that exam in two weeks. The doc didn’t want to start thinking about switching my BC Pill yet, as I am regular as can be on it; rather, she wanted me to try some OTC approaches to deal with the “side effects.” (PMS, basically) She gave me an armload of meds…a diuretic, plus recommendations for various vitamins. She recommended (and I bought) Vitamin E, as previously recommended by several of you, as well as magnesium and evening primrose. Eh, whatever. Here’s hoping. They’re still tender, dammit. We’re going on 2 weeks of this stuff. ☹ DeathLlama’s starting to suffer from withdrawal. (HAR! I made an unintentional pun. You know, withdrawal…birth control…oh, whatever. _I_ crack myself up.) ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2000, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002/40 "2000-09-07T01:17:46Z")
Oh, yet another reason to add to the list of reasons I am soooo glad I am male… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boobs-frickin-hurt-any-advice-ladies/32002.md?page=3)