Breast Pain in Perimenopause

How You can Make it Better

Thankfully, breast pain, itchy breasts/nipples, and hot or cold sensations are rarely caused by breast cancer. But they are frightening and uncomfortable symptoms nonetheless.

Cyclic breast pain, which occurs, say, a week before your period and diminishes afterwards, may be caused by hormonal fluctuations. Non-cyclic breast pain is usually benign as well. As you go through perimenopause, increased fluctuations in hormone levels can definitely cause, or exacerbate, breast pain. Always see your doctor if you experience breast pain.

In the September 2003 Mayo Clinic Women's Healthsource, Dr. Robin Smith, a senior associate consultant in the Mayo Clinic Breast Diagnostic Clinic, states, "...the cause of breast pain isn't known in most circumstances ... studies haven't been able to find a consistent hormonal abnormality. The fact that pain often decreases or disappears with pregnancy or menopause lends support to the hormonal association." The Mayo Clinic Women's Healthsource is is a terrific newsletter, and you can order it at the Mayo Clinic website.

Note: While there are medications that will reduce severe breast pain (e.g., danazol and tamoxifen), the side effects of those medications may outweigh the benefit.

Is it Our Lot in Life?

"Women experience all kinds of strange sensations in their breasts after puberty, and especially between 35 and 50," says Dr. Thomas W. Tufts, a mammography specialist who has studied extensively with Dr. Laszlo Tabar, the international authority and leading proponent of the benefits of screening mammography.

According to Dr. Tufts, "The Terminal Ductal Lobular Unit or TDLU [the system of breast glands] are selectively stimulated by hormones. This stimulation causes swelling of the glands, which can press on nerves."

The swelling may not be noticeable, but the sensations, which are actually varying forms of pain, can include:

• Itchy nipples
• Breast soreness or pain, possibly in just one area of one breast
• Hot or cold sensations

Don't Panic

Women often panic when they experience these symptoms, worrying that they have breast cancer. Without any other symptoms, such as a lump or discharge from the nipple, this discomfort is nearly always simply a by-product of being a woman.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, and your healthcare practitioner has assured you that there is nothing to worry about, you may find that elimination of certain foods or herbal supplements may decrease your symptoms. Breast pain can be caused by medications (e.g., hormone replacement, some antidepressants).

While hormonal changes may be the sole cause of breast pain, Dr. Tufts provides a sheet to patients who experience breast pain listing a number of substances that may contribute to the discomfort. He recommends that you eliminate only one product at a time for a week or two to see if you notice a difference.

Note: You may be taking some of these products to help with other health conditions. But if you find that eliminating them reduces your breast symptoms, you may want to seek alternative remedies.

Breast Pain in Perimenopause

Eliminate Trigger Substances

Natural Tips for Relief & Healthy Breasts

Other Resources