Breast tenderness, etc. on the pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
Breast tenderness, etc. on the pill
4
Mon, 08-02-2004 - 10:20am
I'm in the middle of my third month on otc lo, and recently I've noticed that my breasts seem fuller and have been *very* tender. I have experienced mild breast tenderness basically since the beginning of my second month on the pill, but the extra tenderness and the growth is making me uncomfortable (and slightly nervous because I know sudden tenderness and growth is also a common first sign of pregnancy). I know the pill can affect breasts, but is it normal for breasts to get extra tender and extra full after being on the pill for a few months? Does the tenderness tend to subside?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2004
Mon, 08-02-2004 - 12:43pm
well, i think any hormonal BC method CAN lead to breast tenderness...i definitely have at least a couple of days every month. I'm not sure how old you are or what kind of BC you may have been on before- since Age, and changing BC methods CAN affect your body- but these ARE common side-effects even without those factors.

anyway, if you HAVE cause for concern (sex without another form of BC) ANd perhaps you don't take the pill at the SAME time every day...then i wouldn't waste any time getting to the drug store for a HPT. plus, the more you have stresses, the more your body might react to it causing you MORE side-effects!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2004
Mon, 08-02-2004 - 4:35pm
The tendersness tends to go away, and yeah it is normal for breats to grow bigger while on the pill. If you go off of the pill however, the will go back to their previous, normal size.

If it helps any, I'm in the same boat as you some time, I get breast tenderness from the pill and I start thinking "Hmm...what if I'm pregnant?". I talked to my doctor she said it's just the pill.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2004
Mon, 08-02-2004 - 10:23pm
I have been on OTC-Lo for going on my 4th month...I also get the breast tenderness, starting with the second week of active pills...by the end of AF's visit it goes away. Actually I did this when I wasn't on any kind of hormonal birth control, so I think it is pretty normal.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
Tue, 08-03-2004 - 3:37pm
Thanks. I've been good about taking my pill at the same time (or within a half hour) every day, so I think it's unlikely that I'm pregnant (this anxiety is telling me I should be using backup for added peace of mind though).