Searching for clues: causes of breast pain during the menopause

Like all typical menopausal symptoms, breast pain is also triggered by hormonal changes in the body. The gradual reduction of female sex hormones in the blood is responsible for the unpleasant feeling in the breasts. The falling or fluctuating progesterone and oestrogen levels cause the body to show compensatory reactions such as breast pain. In addition, the glandular tissue in the breast gradually shrinks as a result of the falling hormone concentration. This can also lead to stabbing pain or a feeling of tightness in one or both breasts. Last but not least, increased water retention in the body can also lead to tension - and thus cause breast pain during the menopause.

From professional diagnosis to needs-based treatment

If breast pain occurs for the first time in connection with the menopause or if you notice changes in your breasts, a visit to the doctor is always recommended. The expert will first clarify whether there is an inflammation, a cyst or an infection behind the pain and may be able to feel and treat benign nodules. If the doctor finds no other cause for the pain, you can assume that hormonal changes are actually causing the pain. In this case, depending on the severity of the symptoms, there are various treatment options available to you that can help to significantly alleviate the symptoms.

What treatment options are there for breast pain during the menopause?

Breast pain during the menopause can generally be treated with purely herbal substances and tried-and-tested home remedies as well as conventional therapies. However, a first important factor influencing the intensity of your symptoms beyond conventional treatment is adjusting your diet and lifestyle. A balanced, vitamin-rich diet, particularly with vitamins C and E, can help to alleviate the pain. Increased coffee consumption and smoking, on the other hand, are associated with an increase in the sensitivity of the breasts to pain. The fit of your bras should also not be neglected. If they are too tight or pinch in certain places, this can cause pain. As the shape of the breasts often changes during the menopause, you should measure them if necessary in order to find the right bra size in the future.

Read also: Which bra suits me? >>>

If the measures mentioned above have no effect, you can initially rely on various herbal preparations. One of the tried and tested active ingredients for treating breast pain during the menopause is monk's pepper, which inhibits the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine and at the same time ensures that the production of the milk-forming hormone prolactin is reduced. However, for the remedy to be effective, it must be taken regularly over several weeks. Other tried and tested remedies include food supplements with fermented soybeans, which can balance hormone levels with the plant estrogens they contain.

Other proven home remedies that are effective externally include massages with plant oils such as lavender oil or the application of cooling curd compresses. Gentle yoga exercises aimed at stretching the chest muscles can also provide relief.

Also interesting: Sagging breasts: 5 tips for firmer breasts without a bra

Therapeutic approaches from conventional medicine

If treatment with herbal medication is not successful either, there are various treatment methods available to you from conventional medicine. Doctors often recommend hormone replacement therapy for breast pain during the menopause, especially if your symptoms are very severe, persist over a long period of time and have a massive impact on your quality of life. During such treatment, the body is given hormones such as progesterone. These hormones balance out fluctuations in the body, but can also cause side effects. In order to keep these as low as possible, gels that are massaged into the breast are increasingly being used. In this way, the hormone dose absorbed can be specifically limited to the breast area. The risk of potential secondary diseases such as a heart attack or stroke is significantly reduced compared to taking medication in the form of tablets.

One thing remains to be said: If the other menopausal symptoms subside, experience has shown that breast pain also decreases. Once your hormone levels have reached a balance, your pain is usually a thing of the past.

Sensitive nipples

Nipples can also be sensitive and painful, which is also related to the menopause - read more causes and symptoms here>>