Breast pain and menopause

Up to two thirds of menopausal women suffer from breast pain

10 Liked what you read? Show your support

Breast pain or tenderness during this time of life are symptoms more commonly experienced by peri-menopausal women and may be accompanied by swelling. It is the result of hormonal changes and rising levels of progesterone. Here, our menopause expert Eileen Durward takes us through the herbal remedies that may help you combat pain or discomfort.

An introduction to breast pain and menopause

Around 70% of women are said to experience breast pain at some point in their life. This symptom is often associated with PMS (Pre-menstrual syndrome) but may also be experienced by menopausal women during the stage of peri-menopause when big hormonal changes are starting to take place. Breast pain is described as a feeling of tenderness, swelling and discomfort or heaviness of the breasts.

Two main types of breast pain are experienced at around the time of menopause:

Cyclical breast pain is associated with the menstrual cycle and tends to come a week or so before the period begins. It is a PMS-type symptom affecting women during the peri-menopause or before periods stop
Non-cyclical breast pain has no relation to the menstrual cycle but can come at any time. This can occur before, during or after the menopause.

While some women experience breast pain much later in life, in the majority of cases, breast pain settles down shortly after the menopause or when periods stop.

Why does menopause cause breast pain?

Breast pain in women is most often associated with hormonal changes and imbalances, although the exact reason is unclear.

During the hormonal fluctuations of the peri-menopause and menopause, breasts can increase in size. This occurs when the level of the hormone progesterone increases while oestrogen decreases. The result can be pain and tenderness.

Diet, lifestyle and home remedies for breast pain

There are certain measures which can help relieve the worrying symptoms of breast pain. It is worth putting some effort into easing the symptom, as this will aid your morale, general health and comfort.

Smoking can have an adverse effect on your body at the best of times, not least during the menopause. Smoking can prevent the body from adapting to the hormonal changes experienced during the menopause. It also increases the likelihood of breast cancer
Diet is important. Food with plenty of vitamins keeps the body healthy, and vitamins B and E particularly can help ease breast pain. Making sure you have enough fibre in your diet will help your body balance out oestrogen levels
Consuming stimulants such as caffeine can have an unwanted effect on breasts. This is because these dilate (widen) the blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the breasts, leading to swelling and pain
Make sure that your bras fit correctly as an ill-fitting one can lead to pain or even breast tissue damage. It is important to get measured regularly as your breast size and shape can change quickly.

Are there herbal remedies to help me?

If your breast symptoms are mild and accompanied by other signs of the menopause, start off with a soy supplement made from fermented soya beans. This is a great general supplement for women going through the menopause.

"This has worked for me I was always very active and suddenly found myself tired and a lot of aches this has now gone I also take the sage tablets and they are excellent."

If you are still having periods and the breast pain you experience coincides with your monthly cycle, use Agnus castus, a remedy specific for PMS and breast tenderness.

"Started to take effect within the first month. More effective than capsules of same from well known high St health food shop which was recommended by my GP."

What about conventional medicine?

If you are looking for a conventional treatment to help with your menopause symptom, then it may be worth talking to your doctor. A range of treatments is available, although not all will be appropriate for you.

If your condition is severe or affecting your lifestyle, your doctor may recommend that you consider the use of HRT. However, this is associated with risks and side effects which your doctor will discuss with you.

It is important to seek medical advice if you are concerned about your breast pain, particularly if your nipples are affected, showing a discharge or bleeding, or if you feel a lump in your breast.

50 Comments

Add your comments

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required.

Kate Hatton — 14.04.2019 18:30
I am 57. I have been taking Premarin for 2 years and my breast size has gradually increased from 32E to 32G. They feel engorged and tender presently. They have never been tender previously
Reply

show
- Eileen — 15.04.2019 13:44
  Hi Kate It is important to go back to your doctor with this. They can check to see if this is a common side effect or if there are any other health issues involved.
  Reply
Kellyj — 14.02.2019 21:17
I am 50 (will be 51 in two months) and haven't had a period since Oct 2017. I have had the full gambit of perimenopausal symptoms. I realize I am now in menopause so I don't know if that means I graduated and can hope to not have the peri symptoms but I have had sore breast for about a week and a half. They are achy and my upper back aches too now. The pain isn't constant but it returns. It was one breast then the other now they are both just sore and achy at the breast muscle. Sometimes one seems to hurt in a spot on my inner breast and then seems to ache underneath. Now it is heavy achy-painful feeling. I am large breasted. I am due for my mammogram this year. I have had them every year for the last 4 years and they have been clear. I don't have any lumps, (self exam) but they ache and it feels like the center of my chest hurts too. I don't know if that is from my back ache or vise versa. Perimenopause has turned me into a worrier. I have an appt with my Dr's nurse practitioner on Saturday and to get my mammogram scheduled. I am truly uncomfortable and Tylenol doesn't help.
Reply

show
- Eileen — 15.02.2019 10:30
  Hi Kelly Hopefully, the tips above will be of benefit for you and don't forget to get yourself measured properly if you haven't had it done recently, a poor fitting bra can be a big factor in beast pain! Good to hear that you are getting a check up.
  Reply
Sara — 12.02.2019 21:06
I have just started to get hard & very tender nipples no other symptoms though
Reply

show
- Eileen — 13.02.2019 12:15
  Hi Sara I have posted a video blog on this and what you can do to help yourself so please do take a look. https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/videos/breast-changes-and-discomfort/
  Reply
Vesper — 16.01.2019 12:51
Just started getting breast pain and tenderness to the touch the last couple days. I had my last period in July 2017. Had a mammogram in Oct 2017,it was clear. I am 51.. the pain is around the nipple area and radiates out about an inch each way.. both are sore but the left moreso.
Reply

show
- Eileen — 17.01.2019 07:12
  Hi Vesper Hopefully, the tips above will be of help but if you are worried at all please do see your doctor.
  Reply
Sasha Alexander — 17.12.2018 02:29
I am 47, menapause hit me at age 36. My breasts have been so tender and sore I can’t tske my bra off all of a sudden. Hurts so bad.
Reply

show
- Eileen — 17.12.2018 11:02
  Hi Sasha Please can you let me know when your periods stopped, thanks.
  Reply
Mary Grace Serrano — 21.11.2018 06:23
I'm experiencing breast Pain for 2weeks already please help me to ease the pain
Reply

show
- Eileen — 21.11.2018 11:29
  Hi Mary Hopefully the tips above will be of benefit for you but do remember to get any breast changes checked out by your doctor as well.
  Reply

+ Show more

Our customers love us!

We are proud of the products we offer and the high standard of customer service we deliver. Our customers love us so much they give us a customer rating of 4.8 out of 5!

Read some of our customer ratings