Ease Breast Pain During Menopause With These Doctor-Backed Remedies
Good news: Doctors say it's very rarely a sign of breast cancer
We know that fluctuating hormones during menopause can cause everything from hot flashes to mood swings to vaginal dryness. But it turns out breast tenderness is a common, yet little-discussed symptom that can be just as bothersome. Fortunately, breast pain in menopause is typically nothing to worry about and there are lots of ways you can find relief naturally.
Read on to learn more about what causes breast soreness, when an underlying health condition may be to blame and the best home remedies to alleviate the pain.
Menopause breast pain is common
Breast discomfort, also referred to as mastalgia, can manifest in many different forms. Some women experience breast achiness, soreness or a throbbing, while others may notice a burning, sharp or stabbing type of pain. Your breasts may also be tender to the touch. Pain can occur in one breast or both breasts, and affect the entire breast or just one area.
Woman's World Answers
“The most common time for experiencing breast pain is perimenopause, when there’s a more significant decline of estrogen and progesterone,” says Todd Liu, MD, chair of the ob-gyn department and an ob-gyn at Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford Township, NJ.
Still, it can occur after perimenopause, too. “About 40 percent of menopausal women have breast pain and tenderness,” adds Madison Bennert, PA-C, who works with Dr. Liu and has researched the topic.
How menopause hormone changes trigger breast pain
Estrogen decline during menopause can make breast tissue swell, triggering tenderness and soreness. It can also cause diminishing connective breast tissue, which is what holds the breast together, says Dr. Liu. “Diminishing breast tissue can cause sagging, and the [gravitational] pull may cause a more generalized pain in your breasts,” he explains.
Hormonal fluctuations can also spur the growth of fibrocysts, benign (non-cancerous) fluid-filled cysts or sacs in the breasts that may cause pain. “Fibrocysts can press on nerves, and that’s where you’ll get pain,” says Dr. Liu. Fibrocysts are most common in women 30 to 50.
Can breast pain signal cancer?
“It’s really rare to have pain with breast cancer,” says Samantha Dunham, MD, an ob-gyn and director of NYU Langone Health’s Center for Midlife Health and Menopause in New York City, and a clinical associate professor in the ob-gyn department at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine. In fact, breast pain is only present in 0.5 to 2 percent of patients later diagnosed with cancer.
That said, other symptoms could be a sign of breast cancer and require a prompt visit to your doctor. “Any new changes in your nipple could be a sign of a problem, such as having nipple retraction or any kind of nipple discharge,” says Dr. Dunham. She also notes any changes in the skin of your breasts, such as redness, thickness, puckering, rippling or dimpling warrant a doctor’s visit.
How to reduce breast pain during menopause
These self-care remedies can soothe breast pain during menopause and even help reduce your risk of a future flare-up.
Supplement with evening primrose oil
Several studies have found that taking an evening primrose oil (EPO) supplement reduces breast pain by maintaining a favorable balance of fatty acids in our cells. This is helpful, since an imbalance of fatty acids may increase the sensitivity of breast tissue.
“My patients who have taken evening primrose oil usually see a difference in their breast pain after taking it for three months,” says Dr. Dunham. She recommends starting to take 500 mg of EPO a day, gradually working up to taking 1,000 mg three times a day for three months. At this point, you’ll know whether or not the evening primrose oil supplement works for you.
Replace ill-fitting bras
A stretched-out, unsupportive bra may strain your breast tissue by allowing breasts to droop. But swapping out can make a world of difference. In fact, 60 to 70 of women reported breast pain relief with the use of adequately fitted bras.
“The main thing is to find a well-fitting bra or sports bra that doesn’t allow your breasts to move,” advises Dr. Dunham. She also suggests wearing a bra while sleeping, which can help keep breast tissue from moving (try a wireless one for extra comfort).
Avoid caffeine
“The first thing I tell my patients with breast pain is to cut out caffeine,” Dr. Liu says. “If that’s not entirely possible, consume less of it. When your [hormones are fluctuating], you’re more sensitive to the stimulant.”
If you’re experiencing breast pain during menopause, try limiting your caffeinated coffee, tea and soda consumption. A year-long study in the journal Nurse Practitioner found that 61 percent of people with breast pain who reduced their caffeine intake reported a decrease or total absence of their breast pain.
Apply a warm compress
Taking a warm-to-hot bath or shower or applying a hot water bottle or a heating pad to sore breasts can bring much-needed relief. The heat relaxes breast tissue and improves circulation, which diminishes discomfort.
Still, heat may not be for everyone. If you find it doesn’t work for you, give ice a try instead. Ice packs or a cold compress can numb pain receptors in the breast area and reduce swelling and inflammation.
Whether you’re using heat or ice, apply the compress for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. You can also try alternating the two to determine what works best for your breast pain.
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