If you're a female of menstruating age and you don't know what pre-period breast pain feels like, then go and buy a lottery ticket immediately. You're obviously a) extremely lucky and b) a member of the minority.
For the rest of us, that pulsating, tender, heavy feeling is all too familiar, and it's the pits.
So why exactly do your normally friendly boobs turn into your worst enemies at a certain time of the month? And is there anything you can do to get some relief?
As with pretty much everything to do with your period, breast pain all comes down to hormones, Dr Judith Reddrop of Women’s Wellbeing told The Huffington Post Australia.
"It's all due to hormonal fluxes in the menstrual cycle," Reddrop said. "Estrogen reaches a peak around the middle of your cycle, and progesterone reaches its peak the following week.
"As it turns out, both are at very high levels during the second half of your cycle. It's like a hormone party in your breasts.
"On top of that, breasts are particularly affected because they have estrogen and progesterone receptors, so they are especially picked on in that way."
If you're wondering exactly how progesterone and estrogen affect your boobs (as if you didn't know already), they can make them swell, become congested, feel tender and, for some women, cause lumpiness.
"It's not comfortable but there's a good biological reason for that happening, and it shows your hormones are working particularly efficiently," Reddrop said.
In terms of actions you can take to minimise discomfort, Reddrop says there are plenty of things you can do (aside from clutching a hot water bottle to your chest and eating Ben and Jerry's out of the tub, though that's good too).
"There are lots of lifestyle things you can do which really help. Obvious things, like having a well fitting bra or, if you're exercising, a good sports bra, are very important.
"What a lot of people don't know is exercising the week before your period actually seems to help. Also, avoiding caffeine, as it tends to aggravate the symptoms.
"If there's too much salt in your diet, this can lead to fluid retention which only makes the congestion feel worse."
In terms of remedies, Reddrop recommends vitamins B1 and B6 (50 - 100 mg per day) as well as evening primrose oil, which she suggests particularly bad PMS sufferers take throughout the entirety of the cycle.
"Vitamins B1 and B6 are involved in the hormonal pathways that manufacture your sex hormones, so they are known to help," Reddrop told HuffPost Australia.
"Evening primrose oil works best if you take it continuously (recommended dosage: 1000 - 2000 mg per day) which might seem like a bother, but some people who get real problems might be motivated to do that.
"When you're actually sore, Panadol or Nurofen or other anti-inflammatory medications can prove useful.
"Or, if your symptoms are particularly bad, you might want to consult a medical practitioner about the possibility of going on the contraceptive pill, which obviously stops ovulation and helps to give you stable and continuous hormones.
"That is quite a drastic measure but in some cases, ladies really need that additional help."
As a final point, Reddrop states breast lumpiness prior to your period is generally nothing to be worried about, but if you're concerned, it's best to check your breasts after your period has ended.
"The thing with sore breasts is, once the period starts, you'll find there is quite swift relief of the soreness and congestion," Reddrop said.
"The best time to check your breasts [for lumps] is after the period has finished, when the breasts are at their quietest.
"I wouldn't recommend conducting a breast check in the pre-menstrual time, because the breasts are having that hormone party they can feel quite lumpy. Don’t be alarmed. Just wait til the period is gone and check them then.
"Of course anything unusual, such as bleeding from nipple or discharge, any changes like that will mean you need to see your doctor as soon as possible."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.