In this article, we examine the effect of Vitamin B6 on reducing breast pain. Breast pain is one of the common issues among women who visit healthcare centers, accounting for 50 to 70 percent of visits to breast clinics.
In a large study of 2400 women over a period of 10 years, breast pain was the most common complaint, requiring evaluation and diagnostic procedures. Additionally, the fear of breast cancer is a major reason for these visits, although pain is the sole symptom of cancer in only 7% of cases. Most women experience breast pain at some point in their lives, with a prevalence rate of 65 to 70 percent. In some cases, the pain can be so severe that it affects a woman’s daily activities and quality of life, leading to interference with work, exercise, sexual activity, and social interactions.
Breast pain is categorized into three types:
- Cyclical pain
- Non-cyclical pain
- Exogenous pain
Cyclical Pain: This pain is related to the menstrual cycle, where it increases before menstruation and decreases with the onset of menstruation.
Non-Cyclical Pain: Pain not related to the menstrual cycle.
Exogenous Pain: The etiology of this pain is unknown. Although various factors such as hormone imbalances and psychological factors have been proposed, the exact cause remains unclear.
In many cases, after a careful evaluation and exclusion of cancer, reassurance is enough to provide adequate treatment for the pain. Several approaches have been suggested for managing this pain, including:
Non-pharmacological Treatments: These include wearing appropriate undergarments, relaxation exercises, changes in dietary habits such as limiting intake of fatty foods and caffeine.
Pharmacological Treatments: These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, and evening primrose oil.
Hormonal Medications: Medications like Danazol, Tamoxifen, and dopamine agonists are also used.
However, hormonal treatments can have side effects such as:
- Hirsutism
- Fluid retention
- Irregular bleeding
Therefore, these treatments are recommended primarily for patients with severe pain. Additionally, in more than half of the cases, the pain recurs after discontinuing the medication. Thus, an optimal treatment plan is yet to be fully defined, and ongoing research continues to explore newer treatments with fewer side effects.
One treatment under discussion is the use of vitamins. Previous studies have focused on Vitamin E, but Vitamin B6 has emerged as a more recent treatment option for breast pain.
Features of Vitamin B6:
- Inexpensive
- Accessible
- Low side effects
Recent studies have examined the effect of Vitamin B6 on breast pain, with promising results showing that it helps in reducing both the severity and frequency of pain. Other vitamins such as Vitamin B1, B6, and E have also been used in managing breast pain, with positive outcomes observed in various studies.
Research and Effects of Vitamin B6
In a study, it was identified as part of treatments for breast pain, along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), evening primrose oil, hormonal medications such as Danazol, and Tamoxifen. It was also mentioned that specialists in the field of breast care usually initiate treatment for breast pain with NSAIDs, evening primrose oil, Vitamin B6, and/or Tamoxifen, and use other hormonal drugs for more serious issues.
In another study on cyclical breast pain, 13% of 276 general surgeons who were randomly selected, used Vitamin B6 as an elective treatment for post-confirmation cyclical pain and for persistent pain. This study suggests that specialists in the field of breast care are more inclined to use treatments with fewer side effects, such as Vitamin B6, as compared to medications like Danazol and bromocriptine, which are prescribed for patients with severe and prolonged pain.
In studies conducted by some researchers, patients with cyclical pain were divided into groups treated with aspirin, a combination of retinol, Vitamin B6, tocopherol acetate, and another group with various medications. All patients experienced a reduction in pain intensity, with the medication group showing the most significant reduction. This study was specifically focused on cyclical breast pain, using a combination of vitamins, not just Vitamin B6 alone.
Another study revealed that Vitamin B6 is effective for both types of breast pain, particularly cyclical pain.
Another important point is the psychological factors affecting the response to treatment. Many patients with breast pain are deeply concerned that their pain might be a symptom of breast cancer. Providing reassurance significantly alleviates their anxiety. Additionally, responses to treatment were positive in all patients who participated in the study, regardless of the type of medication used.
The effectiveness of reassurance in treating patients with breast pain:
78% to 85%
Conclusion:
Given the findings from various studies, Vitamin B6 can be used alongside reassurance to reduce breast pain. It is a low-cost, accessible, and safe medication, with no reported side effects when taken at a dose of 200 mg per day.
Source:
Soltany S, Hemmati H R, Alavy Toussy J, Gholamaliyan E. Effect of vitamin B6 on mastalgia: A double-blind clinical trial. Koomesh 1395; 17(4): 950-956.