Breasts become sore as they begin to develop as a girl enters puberty. A small button like bud (breast bud) beneath the nipple feels tender and achy at this time. Apart from this, the breast can become painful and tender around the beginning of a woman’s period or menstruation when the body produces hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. During this time, the breast retains water and may swell. This fluid causes the breast tissues to expand and this stretches the nerves making the breast feel achy and tender.Other factors that may contribute to breast pain are oral contraceptive pills, hormone replacement therapy, weight gain, tumors (may not necessarily mean breast cancer but it is wise to talk to a physician) and pregnancy. The most common and probably ignored cause of breast pain is wearing ill fitting bras, especially those that contain under-wires. Dr. Miranda Stoppard says that eight out of ten women wear a bra that is the wrong size.
A study noted in Dressed to Kill, found that women who wore bras for 24 hours a day had a three out of four risk of developing breast cancer; 12 hours had one out of seven risk; less than 12 hours had one out of 152 risk and no bra at all had a one out of 168 risk of breast cancer. Since most women wear bras, the most one can do is to wear a well fitting bra. The risk of cancer is elevated by tight fitting bras because they constrict lymphatic circulation. This constriction can lead to anoxia (lower than normal oxygen content), which has been related to fibrosis, which has been linked to an increased cancer risk.
The most important qualities to look for in a bra is fit and comfort, not shaping and construction. The perfect position for breast is midway between the shoulders and the elbows. Therefore, the bra should be level in the back and the front. Apart from getting the right size bra, breast exercises are recommended. Every subtle bounce of the breast while moving, walking, running etc., gently massages the breast and increases lymphatic flow and thus cleans the breast of toxins and wastes that arise from cellular metabolism. Other ways of reducing breast pain include; limiting sodium and caffeine intake, maintaining l0w fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains, as well as an ideal weight; taking vitamins B1, B6 and E; relaxation and gentle messages of the breast.
This article compiled from: www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/,
kidshealth.org, CCN.com, Oprah.com, and All-natural.com/bras