Menopause and breast pain? Natural treatments to no longer suffer

Did you think you had gotten rid of hormonal discomfort once your menstrual cycles were over? Missed. As menopause approaches or once it has started, you regularly experience breast pain. Your breasts feel tight, feel heavy, hurt when you walk or when a piece of fabric brushes against them... It's unpleasant and painful but it's common: 40% of menopausal people experience breast pain . Where does this breast pain during menopause come from and what natural treatments are there? We tell you everything in this article.

 

What you need to know about breast pain during menopause

Before going further into the why and how of breast pain during menopause, let's take the time to establish the context of this condition.

Breast pain is called “ mastodynia” or “ mastalgia”. They are common at the time of menopause: 40% of postmenopausal women report having experienced breast pain. Breast pain linked to menopause most often occurs during perimenopause , when estrogen and progesterone levels drop: breast tissues change under the effect of hormonal changes and pain arises from these changes. These pains are cyclical (linked to your menstrual cycles) or non-cyclical, and can be worse from one day to the next.

It is important to note, however, that breast pain is not necessarily linked to menopause . It is therefore possible that another condition (breast infection, cyst or even breast cancer) may appear at the time of your menopause. In this article you will find common pains related to menopause on your chest and those that are not associated with menopause and require consulting a doctor.

🌸 Rest assured. Breast tenderness is, most often, completely benign and not synonymous with breast cancer. The goal of this article is to help you sort things out and de-stress. However, do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you have doubts and/or real pain: he is there to reassure you, relieve you and examine you.

 

What causes breast pain during menopause?

A source of hormonal upheavals, perimenopause is a time that can lead to significant breast pain in a majority of women. It is followed by menopause which can also lead to other pains.

Anatomical changes

During menopause, there may be changes in the structure and density of breast tissue, which may contribute to feelings of pain or tenderness in the breasts.

Hormonal fluctuations

During menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels drop. This can lead to hormonal fluctuations. These hormonal changes can affect breast tissue and contribute to the development of breast pain.

This is the same reason that causes breast pain during PMS: you may have experienced it during your menstrual cycles.

Presence of breast cysts

Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can form in the tissues of the breasts. Breast cysts are rarely cancerous, and they do not increase the risk of breast cancer – however they can sometimes cause pain and tenderness in the breasts, particularly due to changes in breast tissue related to hormonal changes. This is why they can be more painful during menopause.

Amplification/Appearance of fibrocystic disease

Fibrocystic breast changes (also called fibrocystic breast disease) are a very common and benign–albeit painful–condition. The most common symptoms of this condition are lumps or bumpy areas in the breasts, breast pain or tenderness, and a feeling of heaviness in the breasts. This condition most often affects women between 30 and 50 years old: it is therefore possible that the pain increases with hormonal fluctuations during menopause or that you report the condition at that time.

Reaction to hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapies help alleviate the symptoms of menopause. They are often prescribed by health professionals. However, by acting on hormones, these treatments can sometimes worsen breast pain. If this is your case, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor: together you will assess the benefits/disadvantages generated by your treatment.

And all other factors

Not all breast pain that occurs near or during menopause is necessarily linked to this condition. Stress, anxiety, weight fluctuations, lifestyle changes or illnesses can also influence the occurrence of breast pain during menopause. This is why you should not hesitate to go to a doctor if you have pain and want reassurance/relief.

How do these pains manifest? What are the symptoms?

As is often the case with pain, menstrual cycles and menopause, the symptoms of breast pain vary from one woman to another. Pain and discomfort may be cyclical or non-cyclical, constant or intermittent, and pain levels may vary from day to day.

 

Pain

The pain can take several forms: throbbing, acute, burning or even dull. They can be constant or intermittent, cyclical (especially in perimenopause when menstruation is approaching) or non-cyclical. They can affect one breast or both.

Hypersensitivity

Along with the pain, you may have a feeling of hypersensitivity . They may be sensitive to touch, even if it is very light. Sometimes just the friction of clothing can cause discomfort. Likewise, walking can be painful.

Swelling

Your breasts may gain volume. They can be tense, as if engorged . Your chest is slightly or significantly swollen.

Nodules

Menopause may be accompanied by the development of nodules (also called cysts) in your breasts. Most often these fluid-filled lumps are benign and are not cancerous. However, it is necessary to consult your doctor and/or gynecologist if you observe these types of symptoms during menopause.

Rash

Suffering from itchy skin is a common symptom during menopause due to hormonal fluctuation and changes in estrogen levels. But the latter can occur anywhere – and particularly on the chest. The result is rashes and irritated skin.

Nipple retraction

Nipple retraction is a very common condition during menopause. It is often linked to ectasia of the ducts responsible for milk production and its conduction to the nipple (also called milk ducts). Obstruction of a short or coiled milk duct causes a buildup of fluid in the breast that results in “inverted nipple” or “nipple retraction.” This inflammation, common during perimenopause, is associated with other pain such as redness and pain .

Hair around the nipple

Less known but real symptom of menopause on your breasts: hair growth around the nipple can increase during menopause, most often due to hormonal fluctuations. While this shouldn't cause you pain, it may cause you discomfort. It is of course possible to practice hair removal to eradicate them.

Abnormal symptoms of breast pain

If perimenopause and menopause can be linked to breast pain, it is also possible that the pain you feel is of another order, potentially pathological or infectious. It is

• Nipple discharge in the form of clear, yellow, or bloody fluid: Nipple discharge is not related to menopause. While it's not necessarily serious, it's important to see a doctor if you experience it–especially if the discharge is associated with pain.
• Redness and burning sensation: While rashes are common with menopause, redness in the breasts associated with a burning sensation is not a normal symptom of menopause. This symptom is often associated with an infection: consider seeing a doctor quickly.
• Fever: Fever is not a normal symptom of breast pain during menopause. If you have a fever while you have chest pain, you may have an infection. See a doctor promptly.

First, seek medical attention

Perimenopause, the time when your menstrual cycles gradually stop and you stop ovulating, is a particularly disturbing time. Beyond chest pain, you may experience many symptoms, such as pelvic pain, intimate dryness, significant mood swings, etc.

We can only recommend that you seek care from your GP and gynecologist. They will not only be able to prescribe medications to alleviate some of the symptoms you experience (particularly with hormonal therapies or painkillers) but also refer you to a mental health professional who can help you get through this period of great upheaval.

What natural treatments to relieve breast pain during menopause?

To relieve your chest during perimenopause and menopause, there are several natural solutions, without synthetic hormones. Do not hesitate to seek the advice of a doctor in parallel with these treatments.

Wear a suitable bra

The first natural solution to protect yourself and limit the pain felt in your chest during menopause is to wear a suitable bra. Supporting your chest in a well-fitting bra can make a big difference. Even more so if you practice a sporting activity: choosing a bra that is the right size will be essential.

✋ Are you used to not wearing a bra anymore? Do not hesitate to try with a bra to see if the pain is reduced.

Drink plenty of water

Mild dehydration can lead to water retention, and water retention tends to make breast pain worse. Drinking more water or eating more foods containing a lot of water (fruit, cucumber, zucchini, etc.) could limit pain.

Avoid or reduce caffeine

Scientific studies have established causal links between regular caffeine consumption and breast pain (study in English 🇬🇧). Reducing your caffeine intake can therefore be a way to treat breast pain. Note however: caffeine is contained in coffee, but also in tea, matcha, mate. This is why it will be interesting to turn instead to infusions and drinks without caffeine.

🌈 Boost your hydration with a caffeine-free drink designed for menopause : Living well with your menopause herbal tea from the Bodhéa brand. It has been validated by three certified naturopaths and its key ingredients are sage to balance the female hormonal system, lemon balm to promote falling asleep and relaxation and chamomile to reduce the stress that is omnipresent during this period.

 

I want this infusion >

 

Stop smoking

Just as with caffeine, scientific studies have shown the link between smoking and breast pain (study in English 🇬🇧). This is why it is beneficial to quit smoking to reduce the discomfort experienced. There are plenty of other great reasons to quit smoking, but we suspect you already know them. If you are considering quitting smoking, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an addiction doctor so that you are not alone on this journey.

Apply heat (shower, bath, hot water bottle)

Since heat has the capacity to be a vasodilator, it can have an impact on the pain felt. Even more, taking a nice hot bath can bring you some life-saving relaxation if you are suffering.

Add the hot water bottle when you offer it :)

Massage your chest

Since heat has an effect on pain, a gentle self-massage may prove beneficial to reduce your pain... Everything will depend on your sensitivity to touch. To increase effectiveness, your doctor can offer you an estrogen cream which can reduce your pain if it is of hormonal origin.

🌈 On the shop, you will find CBD massage oil from the My Lubie brand. Very gentle, it does not leave a greasy finish on the skin and the effect of CBD can help reduce your pain and sensitivity.

 

I want this oil >

 

Complement each other

Having a varied and balanced diet, sleeping well or engaging in regular physical activity are general tips that can only improve your general health and condition. However, despite this, it is possible that your body is missing certain supplements to be at its best and to flourish: this is where supplements come into play. Supplementing yourself can allow you to provide your body with the elements which she misses in this very special period that is menopause.

🌈 On our e-shop, we have selected for you the food supplements Living well with menopause from the Bodhea brand. This treatment, to be taken for a minimum of 3 months, is notably composed of adaptogenic plants which will adapt to your body to provide it with what it needs. It contains maca to stimulate sexual desire, reduce stress and boost vitality, reishi to provide energy while stimulating the immune system and shatavari to help maintain physiological balance during and after menopause.

 

I want these supplements >

 

Adopt evening primrose oil

A clinical trial dating from 2013 (study in English 🇬🇧) showed that daily ingestion of 500 mg of evening primrose oil for six weeks was effective in reducing the severity, frequency and duration of hot flashes in menopausal women. So why not give it a chance and add evening primrose oil to your daily routine?

🌈 On our e-shop, we have selected for you two products from the Oden brand giving pride of place to evening primrose oil: evening primrose oil and evening primrose oil supplements . In addition to the effects on mature skin, they will help regulate hot flashes.

 

I want these supplements >

 

Also read: How does evening primrose oil influence estrogen balance and menstrual cycles.

 

Sources:

“Menopause is a determinant of breast adipose inflammation” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25720743/

“Breast pain” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350423

“Benign Breast Conditions” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/benign-breast-problems-and-conditions

“Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint” https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/breast-pain-not-just-a-premenopausal-complaint