The information in this article is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your health-care professional. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Hiddenfeet is accurate and up-to-date, but this information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, or other considerations relating to the therapies and health foods covered. Health-care professionals should use their professional judgment in using this information. This information should not be considered a substitute for the care and professional judgment provided by a licensed health-care practitioner.

Breast pain (mastalgia) is a common type of discomfort among women. It can affect up to 70 percent of all women at some point in their lives. Breast pain occurs more frequently in younger, premenopausal women, although women who are postmenopausal can experience breast pain, too. About one in 10 women experiences moderate to severe breast pain more than five days a month.

In some cases, women have severe breast pain that lasts throughout their entire menstrual cycles. Breast pain alone rarely signifies breast cancer and the size of a woman’s breasts does not affect the likelihood of breast discomfort.

One theory is that breast pain in general may be related to an imbalance of fatty acids within the cells. This imbalance may affect the sensitivity of breast tissue to circulating hormones. This is the rationale for taking evening primrose oil and ginkgo as a remedy for breast pain. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a type of fatty acid. GLA is thought to restore the fatty acid balance and decrease the sensitivity of breast tissue to circulating hormone levels.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo ( Ginkgo biloba ) is one of the oldest living tree species and its leaves are among the most extensively studied botanicals in use today. Unlike many other medicinal herbs, ginkgo leaves are not frequently used in their crude state, but rather, in the form of a concentrated, standardized ginkgo biloba extract (GBE). In Europe and the United States, ginkgo supplements are among the best-selling herbal medications and it consistently ranks as a top medicine prescribed in France and Germany.

More than 40 components isolated from the ginkgo tree have been identified, but only two are believed to be responsible for the herb’s beneficial effects in humans — flavonoids and terpenoids. Flavonoids (such as quercetin and rutin) have potent antioxidant effects. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that flavonoids protect the nerves, heart muscle, blood vessels, and retina from damage. Terpenoids (such as ginkgolides) improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of platelets.

Although the herb ginkgo is primarily used to enhance memory and mental function, it may be helpful for breast tenderness as well. A double-blind placebo-controlled study evaluated 500 women with PMS symptoms, 18 to 50 years of age, and followed them through four menstrual cycles. As compared to placebo, ginkgo significantly relieved major symptoms of PMS, especially breast pain. The proper dosage of ginkgo is 40 to 80 mg 3 times daily. It should be taken from about 2 weeks prior to your menstrual period until bleeding stops.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis [Latin]), also known as evening star, produces little yellow flowers that bloom for only one night and then wither and die. The seeds for this plant are used to produce evening primrose oil (EPO), an excellent source of the omega-6 essential fatty acid. Evening primrose oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for many skin disorders, and may also help prevent conditions involving the breasts and central nervous system.

Evening Primrose Oil contains a high concentration of a fatty acid called GLA and it is this fatty acid that is largely responsible for the remarkable healing properties of the plant. In fact, Evening Primrose contains one of the highest concentrations known of this important substance and only a few other plants contain it at all.

The gamma-linoleic acid, linoleic acid and other nutrients in this oil are essential for cell structure and improve the elasticity of the skin. These fatty acids also help to regulate hormones and improve nerve function aiding problems ranging from PMS to migraine headaches. The hormone balancing effect may help contribute to healthy breast tissue.

Self-care Tips

• Use hot or cold compresses on your breasts to sooth discomfot.
• Wear a firm support bra that you had fitted by a professional and wear a sports bra during exercise especially when your breasts are extra sensitive.
• Experiment with relaxation therapy. Severe breast pain may be associated with high levels of anxiety and may improve with relaxation therapy.
• Limit or eliminate caffeine. Although medical studies are inconclusive, many women have noted that cutting back on caffeine improves their symptoms.
• Decrease the fat in your diet. Lowering your daily fat intake may reduce breast pain, perhaps by altering the bodies fatty acid balance.
• Use evening primrose oil, ginkgo, and vitamin E. These supplement may have a positive effect on breast pain.

Hiddenfeet also recommends keeping a diary of the days you experience breast pain. This can be helpful in determining whether your breast pain is cyclic or non-cyclic, and it may assist your doctor in finding the right treatment for you, if further treatment becomes necessary. In your diary, write down how long you’ve experienced the pain, the intensity of your pain, whether the pain occurs in one or both breasts, and what medications you’re taking.

Remember that evening primrose oil does not seem to be helpful when there are breast cysts rather than just pain. In a 1-year, double-blind study of 200 women with breast cysts, evening primrose oil did not prove effective. Seek professional judgment provided by a licensed health-care practitioner for breast cyst complications.
 
Hiddenfeet Reader Testimonial

Submitted by Jennifer Gamble, 25 years old, Winnipeg Canada
Posted with permission via Hiddenfeet posting rules & Legal Disclaimer.

08/08/2007
For as long as I have had them, about a week before my period starts, my wonderful breasts hurt. I am 25 years old, a size 34DD and have never had children. It is a throbbing and constant pain in both of my breasts. The discomfort is with me day and night. Before I sleep, I often put ice on my breasts to reduce the tenderness - which works pretty well I may add. Obviously I am not able to walk around with ice packs in my bra all day so I started to do some research and talk to friends about the matter.

Several of my girlfriends said they had the same breast discomfort. One of my friends suggested evening primrose. She said she uses it in aiding with her cramps and bloating. I decided to give the evening primrose a try.

I went to my local supplement store and the sales girl asked me if I needed help. I explained to her what I was looking for and before I could even finish pronouncing primrose she went off to grab me a bottle. It was only $8 for what she said would last me many months. The sales girl said she had women coming in all the time for it.

When I got home I opened the bottle and while it didn’t smell great, the soft pills were easy to swallow and didn’t give me an upset stomach. I plan on taking evening primrose before my period every month and I will email Hiddenfeet an update on my progress soon.

02/05/2008
The holidays are over Sara and I want to tell you how the last six months using evening primrose has been. I can say, I DO like this supplement. For me, it seems it work better if I load it about a week before I expect my period. My doctor recommended 2 - 8 grams each day. I have a friend who takes it the day of her first period, and that seems to work for her. Breast massage with light aromatic oils has also worked wonders on my breast pain. I hope this helps!

- Jennifer Gamble