Bras

• Make sure that your bras fits properly. If they don't, they can cause pain. Underwire bras and bras that are too tight can irritate the breast tissue and skin, which leads to pain. Some women prefer not wearing a bra at all and if that is the best comfort option for you, go for it.
  
  

Caffeine

• Dr. Dixie Mills notes that the biggest source and cause of breast pain that she has come across in her medical practice is the use of caffeine. Caffeine contains methylxanthine, which is a chemical that prompts blood vessels to dilate. When this happens, swelling occurs in the breast tissue causing distention and pain. She also advises that diets that are rich in salt will result in swelling, which is caused by water retention, and this strains breast tissue. Women should limit their salt and caffeine usage.
  
  

Diet

• Dr. Mills points out other dietary irritants that may cause breast pain include animal fats (fatty foods) perhaps because of the animal's hormones and what it was fed, which are passed on to the human who eats the animal product. Some women may have an allergy to dairy products. When they eat them, their breasts get sore. These women may have an allergy to dairy products in general or can be reacting to the hormones that the cows were fed. Women might want to consider changing their diet and excluding these items.
  
  

Medications

• Medications that contain hormones, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), are very likely to cause breast pain due to the estrogen and progesterone that they contain. If the hormone level is too high in a particular drug, a woman may have a bad reaction, including sore breasts. Some antidepressants and psychiatric medications may also contribute to breast pain. Heart medications and cholesterol-lowering medicines can cause breast changes. Women should ask their physician if medications are contributing to or causing breast pain.
  
  

Stress

• Another big factor is stress. Scientists are learning that there is a strong link between emotions, the immune system and hormones. Women should try to get their stress under control.
  
  

Treatments

• Some women find relief from breast pain by using primrose oil or drinking primrose teas. Others finds that taking Vitamin E helps alleviate the pain. Dr. Mills notes that women in Russia place cabbage leaves on their breasts and then wrap their breasts with a warm cloth before going to bed. Changing one's diet and taking dietary supplements may help. Women should be sure that their supplements include the B vitamins, Vitamin E and Omega-3s. Exercise and stress reduction also may be beneficial. Additionally, Dr. Mills also recommends that women try to reduce the estrogen in their body, including the xenoestrogens that they absorb from the environment.
  
  

More Options

• Applying iodine topically to the breast is said to help. Getting a lymphatic massage may ease the pain. Motrin or Advil creams, which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, might help. Women should consider using a castor oil pack, placing it on their chest. This will help loosen up the breast tissue.