(NSFW?) Women, when you're PMSing, is there anything you can do to be less tender (details)?

I’m not knowledgable about such things because I don’t have PMS, but I’m thinking you have an hormone imbalance. Many docs will just knee jerk give you some kind of prescription hormone therapy, but I’m thinking perhaps some fine tuning is in order. (My doctor (GYN) uses natural non-prescription methods as much as possible). She might be able to help, if you’re in my area. If not, I might be able to help you find someone. Not every doctor is the same.

Like you, my breasts seem to take the brunt of PMS. I’ve found that wearing a sports-type bra helps. I don’t know why…maybe it has to do with less movement. It is rare that I take an aspirin or other form of medication, but that may help as well.

@Pied_Pfeffer I love wearing sports bras, and try to wear them whenever my shirt allows it. They’re like an insanely comfy boot camp for your breasts. So that does help quite a bit. I can try some Aleeve, but I also cringe at the idea of being on NSAIDs for all day, every day, for 10 days out of every month. The crazy thing is, it’s not just my breasts, though they are by far the most tender. Other pressure on my torso or upper extremities hurts as well.

I could be wrong here, but I wonder if some of this – especially your breast tenderness – is water retention. My suggestions: Cut out as much caffeine as you can, drink more water (unless you already drink a lot) and if it’s really bad, try a diuretic. And if you do try a diuretic be very careful with its use.

I used to have the same tenderness issues but I’ve since found that regular and frequent exercise really helps to reduce discomfort in the lead up to my period. It took a while before I got the benefit of the exercise though esp. when the last thing on my mind when I’m tender and cranky is to work out. But I’ve never liked the idea of taking meds unless absolutely necessarily so I was willing to stick with the exercise – and I’m glad I did. In the meantime, getting well hydrated as mentioned by others here also helps…

Make sure the inside of the cup is smooth with no stitching. Also have a different size cup for days that you are swollen. Its been a long time but I know I use to actually grow a cup size. Trying to squeeze into my regular bra only made things feel worse when I took my bra off.
Also make sure all your bras are fitted correctly. Most problems women have with aching has to do with wearing a poorly fitted bra. The strap along the back should be snug. Not tight and not loose. And the cups should cover without side or top spillage.

Yes. This works, 100%

1. Stop drinking coffee and/or cut waay down on Caffeine in the two weeks prior to your cycle.
Maybe one or two cups of coffee/tea or go to half caf. Same for sodas with caf.

2. Start taking a good B complex, or, especially a B6 ( Pyridoxine)

3. Take at least 400 IU’s of Vit E daily Vit. E is extremely good for the reproductive system

I promise you, if you follow this regime you will notice a HUGE dif, within the 1st month, and be symtom free by the 2nd.

Especially the breast tenderness.

Symptom, I stand corrected on that silly typo. ;-)

Yes, the caffeine is huge for breast tenderness. Caffeine also contributes to fibrocystic lumpy, breasts.

Awesome! Thanks you guys!