Abstract:
Cyclic mastalgia—breast pain linked to the menstrual cycle—is an extremely common yet often
under-discussed health issue for women. While usually benign, its emotional and physical effects can
be significant. Many women search for non-drug methods to manage their symptoms, especially
when medications cause side effects or fail to give full relief. Meditation and stretching, both low-
cost and accessible strategies, may help women reduce pain, improve posture, and regulate stress
responses. This narrative review takes a closer, more human-centered look at these alternative
approaches, synthesizing scientific research with clinical understanding to explore why meditation
and stretching may work, how they can be applied, and what women can realistically expect. The
review highlights promising evidence but emphasizes the need for better-targeted research in
mastalgia specifically.
