Do Birth Control Pills Cause Swollen Breasts?
It is very possible that birth control pills (oral contraceptives) will make your breasts swell and become bigger. It is also possible that the pill will make your breasts sensitive and tender, although it differs for every woman. Whenever you introduce a synthetic hormone into your body, it can impact your breasts and now they feel and how they look.
Estrogen
If you are naturally overproducing the hormone estrogen right before your period, this is called estrogen dominance, according to Isoflavones.info. This can result in swollen, sore breasts. If you are taking a pill that also contains estrogen, you will likely have the same result.
Fluctuating Hormones
According to Healthline.com, a woman's breasts are constantly changing due to hormones. Sometimes they will feel lumpier; at other times, they may feel bigger, smoother or firmer. These transformations occur because of hormonal fluctuations and are nothing to be concerned about.
Water Retention
Organizedwisdom.com explains that some women might like having bigger breasts as the result of taking the pill, whereas others may object. However, there is a good chance that your breasts will swell and become at least slightly bigger when taking oral contraceptives, so be prepared for this reality. Additionally, the hormones in the birth control pills may cause you to retain water and gain weight, which can add to the size of your breasts.
It All Depends ...
The degree to which your breast size increases has to do with the type of birth control pill that you are using. The hormones that are in oral contraceptives are progestin and estrogen. This may initially increase your breast size but the swelling may go away after a few cycles on the pill. As noted earlier, water retention or edema (swelling) can be caused by oral contraceptives and this can make the breasts feel and look larger. Progesterone and estrogen, in the birth control pill, can actually result in breast tissue growth. Frequently, whether the increase in size is due to the hormones or water retention, a woman may experience breast tenderness (mastalgia) and sensitivity and even tingling.
Consult With Your Doc
If the swollen breasts are causing you great discomfort, discuss it with your doctor. Perhaps your birth control pill can be changed to another prescription that will reduce your swollen breasts and the corresponding discomfort.
Tags: your breasts, oral contraceptives, birth control, birth control pill, control pill, birth control, birth control pills
