Alternative medicine

Vitamins and dietary supplements may lessen breast pain symptoms and severity for some people. Ask your doctor if one of these might help you — and ask about doses and any possible side effects:

• Evening primrose oil. This supplement may change the balance of fatty acids in your cells, which may reduce breast pain.

• Vitamin E. Early studies showed a possible beneficial effect of vitamin E on breast pain in people who experience breast pain that fluctuates during the menstrual cycle. In one study, 200 international units (IU) of vitamin E taken twice daily for two months improved symptoms. There was no additional benefit after four months.

  For people older than 18 years, pregnant and breastfeeding, the maximum dose of vitamin E is 1,000 milligrams daily (or 1,500 IU).

If you try a supplement for breast pain, stop taking it if you don't notice any improvement in your breast pain after a few months. Try just one supplement at a time so that you can clearly determine which one helps alleviate the pain — or not.