Just sharing this in case it helps someone:
I've been having a lot of breast pain on both breasts starting 2 weeks before my period's due to begin, which really got worse this year after beginning to take HRT. My breasts were also feeling swollen and kind of heavy, but the pain was very intense. I've had fibrocystic breasts for many years but never had much pain before, just some discomfort but nothing like this level of pain.
My gynae gave me a micronised progesterone gel to apply during those days (Darstin) but it didn't make much difference to be honest.
What has worked absolute wonders for me in terms of ridding me of the pain entirely has been iodine, more specifically iodine drops, the ones that you're supposed to take orally (as it is a nutritional supplement).
I read about this and almost 3 months ago began massaging 3 drops of this iodine on each breast every morning after my shower, starting 2 weeks before my period was due. I mix the drops with a tiny bit of body lotion to make them more spreadable. That same night my breasts were hurting less. I went up to 6 drops on each breast during the week right before my period, the pain was almost gone. I've continued to use the iodine this way every day, but only 3 drops and then going progressively up to 6 during those 2 weeks before my period, then down to 3 again. I've not been having any pain on my breasts since.
Last week I went for my breast ultrasound which was due as the last one I had was 7 months ago. Since I have fibrocystic breasts and being on HRT my gynae wants me to do them twice a year. The doctor told me my breasts were slightly better than six months prior, I told him all about the iodine and he said well I don't believe in that, but if it's working for you and you have no pain, and the cysts look smaller, just continue to do it.
I'm still doing it, and haven't had breast pain again, also the swelling and heaviness are gone. I'm really looking forward to seeing the results in my next ultrasound, which the doctor told me to do in a year (I'll probably have one in six months though, as my insurance covers it and I'm very curious to see any new improvements).
