I don't know how it would be associated with nipple pain, but I do know that
decreased progesterone from anovulatory menstrual cycles has been associated
with worsening of PMS symptoms.  It could be possible that she is
experiencing some ovulatory and some anovulatory cycles thus the difference
in the PMS.  How progesterone might contribute to nipple pain might be
related to its stimulatory effects on breast tissue growth-it contributes to
the breast tenderness of early pregnancy, FWIW.

A good lay resource for this information on ovulatory vs anovulatory cycles
and PMS is
Lee, John R.; Hanley, Jesse; and Hopkins, Virginia (1999).  What your doctor
may not tell you about premenopause. Warner Books, publisher.


Melinda Hoskins, MS, RN, IBCLC, SNM (CNEP)
Diverting myself from studies which I have to get back to!

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Peggy R. Wright, RN IBCLC
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 8:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: nipple pain at ovulation--what hormone is responsible?

nipple pain at ovulation--what hormone is responsible?

A woman nursing a toddler consulted me:

She usually has significant nipple tenderness for about 48 hours beginning
at ovulation.  That's fine with her, but she wants to know the hormone
responsible for the pain.

She wants to know because she has noticed that in months when she HAS the
nipple pain, she has very mild PMS.  But in months when she does NOT HAVE
the nipple pain, she has extreme PMS symptoms.

Maybe the nipple-pain hormone info might give a clue to understanding (and
maybe controlling) the variation in PMS.

Any ideas?

thanks, p.

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html