Breast tenderness is a common symptom in women leading up to their period. There may also be accompanying abdominal pain, mood swings, and other symptoms of PMS. The menstrual bleed may be dark and have blood clots although this isn't always the case.

The breast area is governed by the Liver channel in Chinese medicine and many symptoms associated with PMS are caused by an imbalance in the Liver channel. Within Chinese medicine, pain is caused by stagnation of energy. When the Liver channel is obstructed then the breasts can be affected. If breast tenderness continues over many years it can lead to breast lumps that may be benign or malignant. This is because energy moves the blood and body fluids. If energy stagnates over a long period of time, then other body fluids can stagnate and develop into masses.