If your nipples feel sore around ovulation, it’s probably due to hormonal fluctuations. However, nipple pain or breast tenderness (also called mastalgia) is considered a secondary symptom of ovulation, meaning it’s not as common as cervical mucus changes or basal body temperature.
Still, it’s important to know that ovulation pain and tenderness is not an early sign of pregnancy.
Causes
Women’s nipples are constantly in a state of flux. They respond to weather, babies, hormones — they’re like mammary barometers dressed up in lace and underwire. So it’s no surprise that they get sore and tender when ovulation occurs. It’s a natural, cyclic phenomenon called mastalgia and it is very common in many women. It is caused by fluctuating fertility hormones such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estrogen.
These hormones are responsible for ovulation. During ovulation, there is a sudden spike in these hormones which causes the nipples to feel sore and sensitive. The pain can start as early as the LH surge and lasts until ovulation is complete. It can range in intensity from light to severe for some women.
It’s important to note that breast pain and tenderness during ovulation is not the same as implantation cramping which happens about 14 days before your period begins (on day 14 of your 28-day cycle). This symptom is a sign of pregnancy.
It is also worth mentioning that if you have been experiencing nipple soreness for a prolonged time, it’s best to consult a medical professional. They may run some tests and provide you with some advice on how to manage the pain. In the meantime, over-the-counter nipple painkillers can be helpful.
Symptoms
For women who are trying to conceive, monitoring their symptoms is an important part of the process. Keeping track of things like cervical mucus, basal body temperature and sex drive can be helpful in predicting when an egg is expected to release from the ovary. And, it turns out that nipple pain can be one of the secondary signs that you’re ovulating.
During the ovulation process, fertility hormones like Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH) rise. This causes the nipples to feel sore or tender, which is called mastalgia. The pain usually begins shortly before an LH surge and ends when the ovulation happens.
Around the time of ovulation, nipple pain may be accompanied by other ovulation symptoms such as light bleeding or spotting (mittelschmerz), a change in the color or consistency of cervical mucus, and an increase in libido. Some people also experience cramping in the pelvic area or abdomen.
It can be difficult to distinguish between ovulation pain and pregnancy, as many of the symptoms can overlap. However, if your breast pain occurs at the same time every month around this time of the month, it is likely to be caused by ovulation. If the nipple pain is experienced at any other point in your cycle, it may be a sign of pregnancy.
Treatment
If you experience breast pain during ovulation, it is likely due to hormonal fluctuations. It is important to track your symptoms with an ovulation predictor kit or an app to learn more about the timing of these fluctuations.
During the first half of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels rise steadily to help thicken the uterine lining. As the lining matures, follicles grow in the ovary and ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus. If fertilization takes place, the fertilized egg is implanted and pregnancy results.
A variety of treatments can help relieve painful nipples caused by hormonal changes. Cold and hot compresses, well-fitting bras, dietary changes, and OTC medications can all be effective for reducing the discomfort.
It’s also helpful to understand the difference between ovulation pain and pregnancy-related discomfort. Ovulation cramping typically happens about 14 days before the expected start of your next period, around day 14 if your menstrual cycle is 28 days long. However, if the pain lasts until your period begins, it may indicate implantation cramping, which is a common sign of early pregnancy. In some women, sore nipples during ovulation may even continue into early pregnancy. If this is the case, you should visit your doctor for further testing.
Prevention
If you want to prevent painful nipples during ovulation, there are many ways to alleviate the discomfort. Cold and hot compresses, well-fitting bras, over-the-counter medications and dietary adjustments can all help with the pain caused by hormonal fluctuations around ovulation.
One of the most effective ways to prevent breast pain is to monitor your ovulation cycle, and keep track of your symptoms. Women can often tell when ovulation is close by paying attention to the changes in their vaginal discharge. The thinning of the fluids allows sperm to move in and meet an egg, creating ideal conditions for conception. This is why it is important for women trying to conceive to pay close attention to their ovulation cycles and use an ovulation test to determine when they are most fertile.
Keeping track of your menstrual cycle can also allow you to distinguish between breast pain that is due to ovulation and sore nipples that are a sign of pregnancy. If your nipple pain is only present during ovulation and subsides afterwards, it is likely caused by a rise in the hormones luteinizing hormone and oestrogen. If your nipple pain continues after you ovulate, then it is likely caused by an increase in the hormone progesterone. If you are unsure about what is causing your sore nipples, take a home pregnancy test to find out for sure.
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