Chest pain right before period

[Rae68]

I am a 38 year old female. After having my 2nd child, 4 years ago, I started keeping track of heart papitations/chest pain that I was having. It seemed to be 1-2 weeks before I started my period. I had an ultrasound/stress test 2 years ago and everything came out fine. However, I am still having these chest pains and sometimes shortness of breath (especially when I workout).
I am not one to go to the doctor often, so I am hoping this is nothing serious. Is there anything I should be looking in to or should I not worry since the ultrasound came back fine 2 years ago?
According to the charts, I am 20lbs overweight; however I do work out 3 times a week (cardio and weight training).
HELP! ...

[Jax33]

I have been searching and trying to piece together what is happening in my body. It has been 2 weeks since I have been having on n off chest pain, discomfort. That travels from left side of chest to back, should and center right chest. Went to Dr. and was cleared and then landed in ER twice n no results of cause. EKGs, xrays, blood work,pain relievers and even a nitrate patch but still each day Ill have a bought of a scare with chest tightness. After Google searches on causes of chest pain, I ruled out heart and lungs and muscle. Then I began to get breast soreness and tenderness which I hadnt had in years, due to hormonal imbalance which caused amenorrhea. Been years without a period. And then after 2 weeks of chest scares my cycle came. Leaving me to think this could be the underlying cause of chest tightness. I began to look up if menstruation could cause this symptom and adrenal fatigue came along which low progesterone was one factor along with oestrogen. It makes sense to me since I have never had any issues like this until now when my hormones changed. I will be seeing a cardiologist in a few days and Im making an appt. With my endocrinologist next week see if Im still feeling this, what I call annoying, feeling. Hopefully blood work will show the change and praying for a treatment. I cant live like this thinking Im going to die or just the feeling of fatigue. Im 35, no children and love to workout and be active but since this I barely leave the house.

[Millie1024]

Hi Jax33!

I have similar symptoms as you. Did you ever find anything out from your visits?

[Keejo7]

this is an old post but I'm really glad to of read it.   44yrs old thinking I'm having a heart attack for 7-10 days of every month for the last 2years.  Thank you ladies x

[HopeInTheLord]

I am 36 years old and I have been experiencing "odd" symptoms, or what I thought was "odd" symptoms like those mentioned above, shortly after the birth of my first child 9 years ago. After my second child, my symptoms were even more pronounced and now after 5 years after my second child, I still have these symptoms that scare the heck out of me, every month. Here are my symptoms: Chest Pain on left side. Sometimes it radiates to my shoulder and slightly down my left side of my back. I tend to receive very sharp pains when I bend down and my chest feels so tight. This only happens about 1 week, sometimes a few days before my period. I also have shortness of breath, headaches at times, heart palpitations and feeling like my blood isn't flowing properly through my body. Some other symptoms to mention are: extreme tiredness, carb craving, swollen breasts, tight chest, muscle cramps in my calfs, irritable, moody and I'm sure I might be missing some. I think it's important to mention that I am not on any birth control pill and never have been. My husband and I practice the Creighton Model for Natural Family Planning. I find it interesting that in previous comments that it doesn't seem to matter if one is using a birth control or not. These symptoms still exist. I too have gone to several doctors and at first I thought I had a heart condition. So many doctors just wanted to put me on an anti-anxiety/ anti-depressant med. I began to think everything was in my head. That was 9 years ago when this all started. Now I know, that every month, sure enough, I have these symptoms. The trouble is, they seem to be getting worse with age. My PCP is running some tests right now. I did an EKG, Chest X-ray, Breathing test, blood work and now onto another stress test/echo. I had one done after my first child and all was normal, but having it done again since my pain is worse. All of my tests, thus far, have come back clear. It's just frustrating that my OB, the Cardiologist that I went to after my first baby, the multiple Drs that I visited, hoping to get some answers and no one seems to be able to figure out what's going on.  I feel certain that I have some type of hormone imbalance going on. I'm still seeking answers and I hope find a solution to these unsettling symptoms. Thank you all for sharing your stories. It is extremely comforting to know that I am not alone. God bless you all in your life journey and may you find the peace that you're looking for along the way. Many Blessings!

[Kahunasurf]

I am 32, my symptoms started right after the birth of my first child, I since then had several blood test, a chest x-ray, 2 ecgs and a heart ultrasound... everything came back normal except the blood test showed slight anaemia.. I recently (after months of googling) started to think that it could be a thyroid related issue or Hashimoto's disease. Because of the scary symptoms I had a couple of trips to the A&E also. I just started to realise that these chest and back pains seem to be worse few days before my period and so happy that I found this thread to know I'm not crazy it happens to others too. There has to be a connection with hormone levels and thyroid in my opinion. Now I just have to find a really good GP who doesn't think it's all in my head.  Please keep me updated if you find out anything, I will do the same. x

[Incario]

I have Ehlers Danlos syndrome . I am having terrible problems with visible movement of the left chest wall every time I'm due. Someone about mentioned mitral valve prolapse which is actually asseociated with some forms of EDS due to hyper elasticity of the collagen . Collagen and fibrillin connective tissue disorders are made worse by progesterone. This is actually ecassibated on the build up to menses as the progesterone makes everything worse for people with already lose joints. I have had an echo and ECG and apparently nothing sinister shows but I am scared because they have no idea what's happening . My spasms in the left chest begin one week before menses. I also get horrendous migraine . My white blood cell count is elevated and I also have a DVA in my brain. I'm convicted the prgesterone is causing massive inflammation each month as I get a butterfly rash accross my face the week before too. I beg been very ill since I had a child and the EDS joint hypermobility syndrome got very very bad . I had an anestetic at the dentist with adrenaline that tipped this whole heart palpitation over the EDS and had some kind of seizure though I was awake . I could not speak properly and had spastic limbs . I needed a walking stick after . I'm convinced I had some kind of stroke though nothing shows on MRI as they refused to give me one until 3 months after the event trying to make out it was psychosomatic . It's been hell. Had to walk with a stick for 4 months as in the seizure I tore a ligament in my lower spine . They acted as if I was making this all up despite video of my left chest wall moving and a genetics test showing I carry a very rare gene related that is mutated meaning that they don't know the significance despite anyrism in a sibling and the gene being one of serious heart prolapse indication .

[Simmerbri]

I am 38 and have been suffering from exactly the same symptoms for 5 years....since finishing nursing my last baby. I too have had every doctor (even psychiatrist) and tried many different pills (ssri&;s, anti-anxiety, birth control, vitamins,etc...). I have tried acupuncture, different nutritional shakes, etc... I have been diagnosed with PMDD. Doctors in the US are just figuring this syndrome out. In the UK it is an accepted and studied disorder. I have found my most helpful tips online, not from doctors. For me, a Prozac and magnesium helps on really tough days (ovulation and immediately before my period). It also helps to have an understanding partner who supports you if you need to spend a day in bed. Good luck!

[zcrashx]

Everything you described is exactly what's going on with me, I'm 23 years old and just got back from the hospital again. Being released after givin a zanax and sayin it was anxiety. I've gone to numerous doctors and have tons of test and no one can ever find anything wron. I had a psychiatrist tell me once I might have a mood disorder but nothing was ever done. I've also had sign and been tested for lupus but the test came out positive once then got tested again nothing came. So all I have to say I hope someone find out what this is, it's been a horrible 6 years with these pains. They started when I was pregnant with my first child,  I now have 4 children. I hope you get better God bless you

[LBud]

Like everyone else, I'm so glad to have found this thread and keep checking back to see if anyone has found the reason why we are all experiencing these pains. I too have severe chest pain that moves through my diaphragm, up my back and shoulders and into my jaw exactly 5 days before my period starts each month. It only lasts between 20-30 minutes each time. It has been happening for nearly a year now but each month recently I am getting shorter other spells of it just before and during my period. From reading some of the other posts it seems as though I'm getting off lightly. I don't know who to ask for help. My GP could not be more disinterested... Have had an ECG and blood tests (through another doctor who actually took interest) but everything looked fine. I can only think it is related to hormones. I have seen some reports of chest pain linked to low oestrogen levels which would certainly tie in with the time of the cycle. I really hope someone takes us seriously soon because each time it happens, I'm petrified. I'm 38, two kids, average weight and in otherwise good health.

[latte25]

I'm 24, 5.1, 118 lbs. I also have been experiencing these problems for a few years. Discomfort in left chest, arm, and sometimes the left side of my head - all made far worse a few weeks b4 my period. I was told a few years ago that I have mitral valve prolapse syndrome, but that issue normally goes unnoticed, and is not dangerous - in fact exercise helps that problem. The head pain only started after my doctor told me she thought I might have multiple sclerosis, which I don't, but the stress only made things worse. Like one of the ladies on here, who is an RN said, if you are only just noticing these problems see a doctor, but I've seen numerous doctors, taken numerous tests, and everything comes back normal. In all honesty nothing has helped me more than staying positive, cutting out caffeine and alcohol, lowering sugar intake, reassuring myself that what's happening is real & scary sometimes but it can't hurt me. (I do drink more water & eat more healthy snacks when it's happening because that seems to help.) I've gone on 9 mile bike rides while this stuff has been going on, and if I can do that then I'm pretty sure I'll be ok. Sometimes, nothing helps more than just distracting myself from the problem, keeping calm, finding something to do like be with friends, go on a walk, watch a movie, anything to remove myself from all sources of stress. Best advice - don't panic, try some things & see what helps & for sure learn some meditation techniques, even if like me, your meditation involve mountain biking. Perhaps, we are just the weird few who experience this instead of death cramps, like some of my friend's get every month - this may be more normal than we previously thought. In the meantime, I'm still hopeful that someone might come up with a permanent solution. Best of luck everyone!

[Shawii]

Hi. Have you followed up? How are your symptoms? I pretty much have the same thing, from ovulation to the beginning of period. So basically, I just have less than 2 weeks of good days, haha. Knowing someone having the same condition (although I feel sorry for all of us in this forum) is comforting.

[Danfan26]

Thank god I've found this! It doesn't happen every month just 3-4 times a year but every time it happens I panic! So glad I'm not alone.

[Herecomesthesun88]

Hello all,

I just wanted to say how thankful I am to have found this discussion~!
Felt like a lightswitch got turned on the day before my 31st Birthday which also was a few days before my period. Felt lightheaded, panicky, chest discomfort, also had a nervous stomach. I went to the Urgent Care and Dr prescribed Klonopin but I never took any. Went to my PCP, had blood work done and an ECG and everything came back good (thank God) and she said it sounded like vertigo so she prescribed Meclizine, and that did help with the lightheadedness. I feel like I do have anxiety, and it gets extremely intense the days leading up to my period... to the point where it feels like I'm having a heart attack. I'm looking into natural anxiety tablets/pills. I am praying that we all find comfort and good health! God Bless

[leogirl2010]

I know how you and the other ladies feel. I have had chest pain 2 weeks prior to my period and it would stop at the first day of bleeding. I told more than one doctor including a gynecologist and they don't know why it happens. I wish there was more research on women's health and how her hormones can play a major role.

[smatzke64]

So good to find that the scariest thing that has happened to me for about 5 years now and that I am not alone..  I have gotten to a point where I know when it is time to drink drink drink lots of water.  Seems to help me stay hydrated and get rid of extra fluid faster.  Seems to me some doctors out there should be researching this to help better figure it all out.  Anyways just wanted to say the more fluid i get rid of during my week before my period the better my chest feels.  Thanks.

[skattebo]

I found this post two years ago after my upper left chest pains started to become unbearable.  Sure enough;  after some monitoring, the timing of the pains matched my monthly cycle;  often during ovulation and then again during my actual period.
I am 37 and stopped taking birth control four years ago.  Interestingly enough, the chest pains started about a year after stopping BC.

Last December at my annual physical, I asked my doctor if I could have a prescription for birth control again, both the test out my own theory, but to also get regulated again.  

The first month (January '13) after starting the BC, the chest pain was still present :(  
However, that was the last BIG bout of chest pains I've had!  I only had one dull moment of pain last month; otherwise NADA!  Since being back on the pill, the chest pain has disappeared.

So, hormonal linkage???  This self-diagnosed lady thinks so!
Good luck to everyone!!!!  I, too, could not imagine going through years of the monthly chest pain.  It's crazy how hormones work and affect us.

[WatchtheSunsets]

I'm having the chest pains also (right now). I've been aware of them for about two or three years now. Recently, they began the day I actually had cardiac ablation for WPW. I know it must be period related. I went to the hospital a couple times for the pain and have been given pain killers and even told to take antacids. I've had x-rays, CAT scans and the works. I am healthy, work out 3/4 times a week, and am fine until my period creeps around. Just gotta pray ladies, because what doctors can't do I at least know God can fix. Amen.

[jbreezie]

Hi. I know this is an old post but I wanted to share my experience as well. 5 days before my period, I was experiencing sharp chest pains at night. I fell asleep that night and nearly fainted while I was sleeping. Went to the ER to get checked out. Everything was fine. ER Doc said it was just anxiety. But I don't think it was anxiety at all. I continued to have chest pains up into the day of my period. Now, here we are the in the following month and my chest pains are back. My period is supposed to come in about 6 days.

Sigh, will see PCP next week. Let's see what she says.

38F
114 lbs
Hashimotos(hypothryroid) since 2014 due to Thyroid Ablation
High CHL
high BP average 130/90

[Mariwa16]

Hi, ladies! I am 27 yo, no children yet. I also observed that a week before my menstruation I start to feel pain between my upper chest ribs on the left side, esspecially when pressing on the area. This pain is accompanied by back pain so I thought I might have some problem with my spine, today I did MRI scan and it come out fine! A bitvof scoliosis on the upper side of the spine and SM exercises recomended! so I am left again with the fear of this pain, it lasts over a year alredy. Thank you all that wrote on this page and let’s keep each other updated of test results that we make in connection with this pain.

[lilboepeep23]

Hi Everyone,

I am a 40 year old female and over the past year to year and a half have been experiencing mild to severe chest pain a week to a week and a half before my period (not consistently every day). Up until age 38 I have had fairly "normal" periods and then all of a sudden I was experiencing chest pain as well as severe pain in my lower and upper back prior to my period. I had been tested previously and the results were normal but I am going to be going for x-rays, ultrasounds, ekg, and blood test coming up soon. I don't want bad news, I just want to not have to suffer with this pain every month; it is very scary.

Wishing you all the best and that we can find a remedy to this mystery.

[LBud]

Hi everyone
I posted on this thread a while ago as I was having chest pains similar to everyone else. But I have now received a diagnosis which I hope might be of help to others.
I have an oesophageal disease called Achalasia. One of the symptoms is chest pain, which is actually the Lower Oesophagus Spincter muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus going into spasm. This muscle should naturally open when you swallow to allow food into your stomach, and then close again to stop food coming back up. In Achalasia, this muscle tightens, meaning it is difficult to get food down and then stomach acid comes back up because the muscle doesn't close.
So my main question to you all is, do you have any difficulty swallowing food, drink or saliva? I knew I was finding this increasingly difficult, but I didn't make the connection between that and my chest pains.
Achalasia is really rare and notoriously difficult to diagnose, so if you think your symptoms fit this description, then please see a gastroenterologist. Achalasia can't be cured and will get worse over time but there are procedures to slow its progression.
I hope this post helps someone else as it has taken me 2.5 years to get to this point.

[shen_venkat]

Stores good for supplements

1. Mother's Market
2. Sprout
3. Whole foods
4. Korean Red Ginseng

Ginkgo seeds do not exceed 20 per day,  available in Korean grocery stores
Irvine, CA - Zion Market

[shen_venkat]

thyroid supplement and adrenal supplement are available mother's market.

[shen_venkat]

Raw cane Sugar, not the bleached sugar
Salt- Pink Salt ( Himalayan Mountain Salt)
Whole foods, not processed food ( fruits and vegetables)
Every food in moderation.


Faith works in Love, Love covers multitude of our short comings.
Constantly changing the way of thinking ( better thoughts, mastery of thought is a short cut for healing)

[shen_venkat]

Omega 3 supplement helps follicle phase of the cycle

[Ar1313]

I'm 23 with no kids. This has happened to me 4 times over the span of roughly 2/3 years. This chest pain I could describe as a constant flutter with almost every breath I take and when this does happen it's always a few days before I start or within the first two days of starting. Only difference is with me it lasts hours, usually from the moment I wake up until I can finally fall asleep. Has anyone else experienced it for such a long time? Thank God the episodes are very spaced out but they're so bad it's honestly terrifying. I've had ultra sounds, a ct scan, and ekg that al turn up fine.
Thanks.

[Angelbou]

Hi just wondering do any of you also experience left arm pain along with these chest pains before a period? I am 24 and have noticed that my left arm pains are usually when I am due on however it is worrying as I could have had them at other times too as I have not kept track properly! I have suffered with anxiety years ago and believe I can get minor episodes of it during stressful times now and lately I have been going through a lot of stress and get these random episodes of chest pain/discomfort and other weird symptoms at times. Do not know what to put it all down to really!!

[gamzam]

I am yet another woman who seems to have this problem.  I am 45 and have had this for many years, but it used to be only a couple times a year.  In the past 5 years or so, it is much more frequent.  Only in the past 6 months have I started to make the connection with my menstrual cycle.  I have been to the ER many times, had EKGs, bloodwork, chest xrays, and have been to cardiologist about 4 times in the past 6 years.  I do have a very mild mitral valve prolapse but the cardiologists SWEAR that this doesn't cause chest pain.  All the test say my heart is perfect.  After my last visit to the ER, I saw my family doctor and she was very reluctant to attribute any of this to PMS, or PMDD, or perimenopause - but I think it does have to do with hormones.  I also saw a GYN but I think I got a bad one, she just completely dismissed the whole idea.  I do understand that having your hormone levels tested is very unreliable.  For me, what seems to be helping, is a combination of a low-dose anti-depressant (Zoloft), daily meditation and prayer, and as much exercise as I can get.  Because, if this is all truly hormone-related and not dangerous or harmful, and possibly not "curable," then you need to focus on reducing the anxiety that happens when you feel this pain and you can't stop thinking "am I having a heart attack?" or "maybe there is something wrong with my heart?".  My doctor also gave me a prescription for Xanax, for those moments when I am feeling the pain and the anxiety overtakes me - you just have to be careful with Xanax because it can be addictive, so just use it when you can't calm yourself down any other way.
NikkiMarty - I'm interested if anything came of the heart monitor?

[NikkiMarty]

Hello, I know this thread is old, but I just needed to put my experiences out there too.  I have been having chest pain, dizziness, hot flashes, tingling, headaches, back pain, shoulder pain, jaw pain - all the usual heart attack symtoms - during the same time each month.  Over the past year I've been to the ER 4 times, had 2 echo's, countless EKGs and blood tests, and all come back "normal".  I finally went to cardiologist and he suspects hormones, but put me on a heart holter monitor for 1 month just to check.  I am awaiting the results.  In the meantime I went to my GYN and she doesn't think it's hormones, but I think I need a new GYN doctor because since its monthly, hormones just make sense.  I'm 42 and hate to think I will be experiencing this until I go through menopause.  It is debilitating.  

[Shawii]

I'm glad to I found this thread. I know it's old, but I'm still not done back-reading, and I am amazed and relieved to find women like me. I've just had the "angina-like" attacks since late July 2015. It felt like I'm having a heart attack. I also have myasthenia gravis and had undergone thymomectomy, so immediately related everything to my condition. 3 ER trips, 3 normal ECGs 2 weeks later it stopped. I thought it's over. Then it recurred. I tried a sublingual nitroglycerin and it worked. But I still followed-up with a cardiologist. The 2D-echo and stress test were normal. But he decided to put me on cardiac meds and antihypertensive as he believes I am just a lazy, obese woman. Then no chest pains again for about 2 weeks. I thought the meds are working. Wishful thinking. I started having them again. I tracked the dates of the episodes using my period calendar. It dawned on me it happens always a week before my ovulation and ends right with my period. Once I thought I was wrong because I still had slight chest discomfort and my period had stopped. But,that time I also have less bleeding than usual. Sorry, this is long. I am really anxious.