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! ...

[anacyde]

I get palpitations at ovulation (2 weeks before my period) and again around 3 days before.  It's a guarantee.  I hate it.

The evaluation you had two years ago might need a re-check, but if your symptoms haven't changed in two years it may not yield anything new.  Chest pain should be looked at, particularly if it is happening when you are exercising.  It could be something as simple as a stretched muscle...but you never know.

[Rae68]

Thank you very much for your comment. I was hoping there was somebody else out there who experiences the same thing. I appreciate it.

[pie777]

I am only 24 and I experience chest pain two weeks before my period. I also experience small cramps on one of my knees. This always happens.

[xtine80]

I'm now 28 and I've had this problem since I've been 26. I get extremely painful chest pains a week before my period. It ramps up and then down again a few days later when my period starts. I've had every test and doctor known to mankind. No one has given me an answer. I felt very much alone in this regard but it seems as if many women on the web have voiced this same issue. If you find any more information, I would be grateful. I've had 3 gynecologists tell me they can't help me. One gastrointerologist tell me it's heartburn (but it's not related to the food i eat!), cardiologists tell me i'm healthy as a clam, lung specialist tell me nothing. I'm sorry you have to deal with this too. It can really get a person down!

[bama90]

I am 36 years old.  I have been having heart palpitations about a week or so before my period.  It started about 2 years ago, but I'm just now figuring out that it is happening around my period.   I finally decided to keep track.  What is this?   I can't say that for me that it is exactly painful, but I am literally skipping a beat every 10 to 20 seconds, which makes it very hard to sleep or function some times.  Not to mention, it scares me to death!  I have a doctor's appointment to check for high blood pressure in a couple of weeks, but I have my own suspicions on what it could be.  I am thinking that I am probably retaining water about the time it starts, so I am wondering if a diaretic would help.  I am so glad I am not the only one having this problem, although I wouldn't wish this on anyone.  Please keep me updated, if you find anything out.

[xtine80]

Hi there. At times I also feel that I'm getting palipitations but not as severly as you are. Have you seen a cardiologist? I'm planning to see an endocrinologist as this problem seems to be related to my hormones? I will keep you posted!

[blondie313]

I am 44 and have been getting PVCs for 5 years about 2 weeks out from my cycle with an occasional few thrown into the mix at other times. Saw a cardiologist who did a full workup, normal heart just skipped beats due to hormone fluctuations. She told me this is VERY common, it won't stop your heart...many people get them but few are aware of them because some people are just more conscious of changes in their bodies. I decided to take a beta blocker, Atenolol, low does of 25 mg a day, it helps keep adrenaline from spiking, lower BP and pulse, does NOT make me tired, just keeps me from getting a lot. I cut out caffiene and work out just as hard as ever...the more you exercise my doc told me that of course a stronger heart muscle and even though mine is ok, more exercise may lessen them as well. Anxiety when you worry about them just makes things worse, try coughing to get your heart in a normal rhythm if they get too crazy...just a few times...go do something physical...most of these are felt at rest when you are really aware of them.

[ladonna525]

stay hydrated and take magnesium helps the heart pain

[cooeybec]

I have exactly the same problem.  I'm a 41 year old female, and the discomfort started about 2 years ago.  The discomfort is always on my left side, upper chest area.  Sometimes it's a burning sensation; sometimes it's just an ache; sometimes it radiates along my shoulder and arm.  It took me a while to realize that it is linked to my menstral cycle.  The discomfort starts a few days before my period and lasts until a few days after it ends.   My OBGYN said it's a pinched nerve; my MD did an EKG and that came out fine.    I'm not sure who to turn to.  I'm glad to hear that others are experiencing the same thing!     I suspect that it has something to do with hormones affecting my blood flow.

[Rosemary349]

I don't get chest pain but i notice that my pulse rate at rest goes up 2 weeks before my period.  I tend to notice irregular beats once my period has started.

I'm also aware that my anxiety levels reach a fever pitch a week before my period.  The week after my period has started is the only time i feel normal  :-(  

I've told the doctor as i wonder whether it's not good for the heart to have all these hormone fluctuations ......so i've decided that 2 weeks before my period i'm going to take Agnus Castus and see if it helps blanace the hormones and relieve me of all these weird symptoms.

Others might want to try agnus castus but of course check that it's ok for you to take it and that it doesn't interact badly with any medicenes that you might be taking.

[Mina2010]

I heard is caused by perimenopause which can start 10-15 years before menopause.  Something to do with your hormones and especially during ovulation when you try to ovulate but your body is having difficulty so your hormones keep rising.

I'm 29 and have heart pain / heart vibrations and palpitation during ovulation and about a week before period, I also have something which feels like there is air around the heart, once my period starts the palpitations gets relieved.  I have Aortic insufficiency on a Mild degree.  

I took Magnesium, which helped when my Magnesium levels were too low from a unbalanced diet, but have found that when you take Magnesium supplements and you have enough Magnesium in your diet the heart problem gets worse.

One tip, stay away from Carbonated drinks, they deplete your Magnesium.  And look up other things you consume regulary like coffee which also depletes normal Magnesium levels.  Diuretics is not a good idea, they also deplete Magnesium.

[Rackhael83]

I am pretty healthy 25yo female who has been experiencing the same symptoms prior to and during most every period since my first at age 15. I have asked quite a few doctors about these symptoms and have had many reactions from chest x-rays (although not while experiencing symptoms) to "oh you're a mystery" to "if it gets worse let us know." I have since found an article on Pericarditis and wondered if thats what I could be experiencing and if it is ever a case where it is related to menstruation.
My symptoms have been occurring 1-2 weeks before and a few days into my period. I experience pain when I lay on my back or on my side, and it subsides when I lay on my stomach. Its a somewhat sharp pain on the upper left side in my chest which seems to radiate to the upper left side of my back in a fairly localized area. It is more painful the deeper I breath.
I have also recently (within the last 2 months) started taking birth control and have noticed that I experience the pain, no longer prior to my period but right when I start my period after beginning the sugar pills.

[Linz20028]

Hi, I am a 26-year-old 5'2" 120lbs who works as an RN in an ICU area. I just want to stress how unsafe it is to take extra magnesium without consulting with a doctor. Having too high or too low of the three electrolytes Magnesium, Calcium, and Potassium can cause heart arrhythmias. Your doctor will draw lab work to see if you are deficient in any of these electrolytes. With that said....I experience the same problem. I have left sided chest pain that starts within a few days of my menstrual period. My EKG is completely normal, but when I went in for an echocardiogram, which is like an ultrasound of the heart, I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse. This is not usually a bad diagnosis, though. Research shows that you can lead a normal life unless it is severe. This is NOT a diagnosis for you or anyone on here. I was just sharing my story.

[chirs770]

I'm going through the same thing! about 2 weeks before my period, pains in upper left chest. This has been going on about a yr. Went to the hospital they couldnt find anything wrong. Its so weird because its new

[badp]

I have had very strange things going on for more than a year.  Today I started my period and had quick (2-5 sec.) pain in my upper left chest. This happened about 4 times...pain...no pain...pain again. Anyway, most of my problems are directly related to my periods. I have random symptoms anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 days before I start. Some months are worse than others.  My symptoms range from swollen hands to tingling extremities.  I feel as though I have trouble breathing and often have a strange feeling in my chest.  I also feel very depressed and anxious around this time of the month.  I never know what  it is going to be like and I dread at least 2 weeks out of every month.  Can a severe fluctuation in hormone levels actually cause a heart attack?  I was in the ER last November and they said it was anxiety and maybe my gallbladder...What?  I told them that I was very aware of the anxiety, but I believe it is due to all of the problems I'm having.  I'm afraid my husband thinks I'm a hypochondriac, but I know something is wrong.  I do not believe it is normal to feel bad more than 50% of the time.  So, my symptoms are...weakness, headachs, cannot sleep well, trouble breathing, chest pain, anxiety, depression, swollen hands, tingling.  I feel better a few days after I start, but before I start my period I never know how my body is going to react...   Any advice?  

[leogirl2010]

I also have expereinced chest pains prior to menstruation. It's not every month but becoming every month. It's a sharp pain. Everytime I see a doctor for it, everything comes back normal. I will have pain from mimimal to strong for about 1 to 2 weeks before my period and as soon as I bleed the pain stops. Miy doctors so far have not correlated the 2 (chest pain and menstrual cycle.)
I was told I have costochondritis which is just the inflammation of the rib cage.I'm glad i'm not the only person with this issue. I thought I was going crazy with chest pain prior to period. That's not a normal PMS symptom I learned in school. I never had PMS issues prior to this chest pain.

[nabila912]

i am 43 years old and i have the same problem , palpitation , chest pain , and all this 1 or 2 week befoe my period  this just start this year , i am filling better to read a lot of you have same this , i hope is not serious thing . i am going to check with my dr, some friend say it may be a premenopausse.

[WomanofLove]

Hi Ladies,

OMG, what a GOD send finding this!  I've experienced this also but it happened for me (27yrs, 5'9, 200lbs) the first time in Nov 2010.  Severe chest/back pains on my left side then switched to the right side so felt like my whole back/chest was: how do you say, perhaps in a Charly-Horse like feel?  like my inside we're being smushed almost.  very uncomfortable but of a truth I share: I took Aleve and within minutes the pain was 90% gone.  Am currently awaiting my NP to call me back because I'll go get checked still.  But feel SO MUCH better after reading this and also knowing an over-the-counter medicine solved the issue.  My period should be here in a week/1.5 week.  Try Aleve Ladies or whatever you take for your menstrual cramps etc.  Hope this helps and thank you all for sharing!  Very good. Thank you.

[Caroline528]

Hi - I'm just going to add, realizing this is an old discussion, but for anyone who stumbles across it as I did, desperately searching "Palpitations chest pain menstruation" as apparently a lot for us have, that I've had the same experience.  I'm 38, in shape, no known heart problems and have periodically experienced arrhythmias and chest pains, but only in the last year  when it's been a regular thing and severe enough to keep me awake at night have I realized it's always right before my period.
I will continue to monitor my symptoms and see a doctor regularly, as I hope everyone here will, just to be safe, but it does sound like it's a hormone issue, and maybe worsening for some of us as we approach menopause.  Thanks to Rae for posting the question - I swear, if doctors read message boards they would learn a lot more about women's health!  

[sammiesam85]

i am a 26 yr old female and i experience pain a week to a week and a half before my period much like the pains you all have described but my pains are on the right side of my body instead of my left... i get the first pain about 8 days before my period and a second pain about 5-6 days before my period... i have trouble breathing and the pain radiates from my chest just under my ribcage to around my back and lasts for 3-6 hours.... i have been to the hospital and had ultrasounds and blood tests but everything has come back normal.... i found having a hot shower helps numb the pain but as soon as i get out of the shower the pain comes back..... any advice?

[momwithchestpains]

I'm so glad to see that others are experiencing heart issues prior to the start of the monthly cycle.  It took me almost a year to realize that the scary chest pains I've been experiencing coincide with menstruation.  I'm a very healthy 42 year old who has visited the doctor and even the ER for very intense heart-attack like symptoms only to be told that they can find nothing wrong with me.  It is frightening (particularly as a mom with young children) because I still don't know what is causing this, what I can do to solve this, and ultimately if it could lead to serious medical complications.  I'd appreciate any advice or insight anyone might be able to render!!

[pika671]

I've been doing this for a while. I also get the feeling on some months during ovulation that the wind has been knocked out of me and I am so weak, I have to lie down. I have no idea what's going on. It's been happening for the last 5 years. I'm 44 now. I hope people post back to keep everyone updated. It's pretty scary.

[nicolep1016]

I've been going through the same thing and know that this is DEFINITELY hormone-related.  I hate to be negative but most doctors are just stupid and if we are going to find the answer, we have to research and try to solve this ourselves.  This is obviously a real problem. I would suggest, and I am going to do the same, that we have our hormones checked when the symptoms are occurring.  That is the only way to find out.  Also, as someone else mentioned, your magnesium drops before and during menstruation which can cause all these symptoms so try a magnesium supplement.  The quality of the supplement is important.  I would suggest ionic magnesium because it is the best quality and will not cause any stomach issues.  If you take the cheap stuff, it will make you go to the bathroom a lot, which could make the deficiency worse.  The ionic is more expensive but worth it because it .  I hope this helps a little.  We have to be our own health advocates because unfortunately you can't trust most health professionals.  

[luisa98]

I too have been a sufferer of this for many years.  The muscular pain on the left side of the chest started when I was 17 and the palpitations (PVC's) started when i was 27.  I also took me some time to make the connection with a menstrual cycle link.  I have had ECG's, Echo's, Blood tests, Cardiologist and all come back 'healthy'.  I have since gotten anxiety from the whole thing because it completely takes over my life.  I have one week out of every month where I feel OK. My next step is to check my hormones in a blood test, but am wondering whether or not it will be useful because hormones fluctuate several times a month and what is 'normal' one week, may not be the next.  Its a bit of a relief to know that I am not a crazy hypochondriac and other women are going through the same thing and I can have some feedback.  I am going to try Evening Primrose Oil for a few months...has anyone ever had success with EPO?