Most people experience breast pain at some point in life, and for many, sore breasts are a regular part of their monthly cycle. It’s common to feel breast tenderness just before your period, only for it to disappear again afterward.

During perimenopause and menopause, this monthly soreness may take a different turn. You might find that your usual pre-period tenderness feels more intense, lasts longer, or becomes more frequent. For others, sore breasts appear for the first time or linger well past the last period.

This guide breaks down why breast pain happens during menopause, what it feels like, when to speak with a healthcare provider, and what might help.

Sore breasts definition

Sore breasts during menopause can feel achy, tender, heavy, or overly sensitive. For some, the pain is sharp or stabbing. Others feel a burning or throbbing sensation. These symptoms might come and go or stick around. One or both breasts can be affected, and the severity can range from mild discomfort to pain that interferes with daily life.

The medical term for breast pain is mastalgia. It comes in two forms:

• Cyclical mastalgia: Linked to your menstrual cycle and more common in people who still have periods.
• Noncyclical mastalgia: Not tied to your cycle and more common after menopause.

How common are sore breasts during menopause?

Very common. Breast pain is one of the most frequently reported symptoms during both perimenopause and postmenopause.

Even before menopause, many people experience breast tenderness due to monthly hormonal changes. Around 70% of women consult a healthcare provider about breast pain at some point in their lives.

During perimenopause, cyclical breast pain may become more intense or unpredictable. This often improves after menopause when periods stop and hormones level out. That said, it’s also common to develop noncyclical breast pain in the postmenopausal years. Some people continue to experience breast tenderness even after their periods have ended.

Read more about the stages of menopause.

Signs of sore breasts

Everyone feels breast pain differently. Common sensations include:

1. Burning
2. Tenderness or sensitivity
3. Throbbing
4. Aching or stabbing pain

The discomfort might feel similar to premenstrual symptoms, but it can feel completely different. If you’re noticing new sensations in your breasts, it’s worth keeping track of what you feel and when it happens.

Tips to help with sore breasts during menopause

See your healthcare provider

Breast pain is often caused by hormonal changes, but there are many other possible reasons like cysts, pulled muscles, or costochondritis (inflammation where the ribs meet the breastbone). A healthcare provider can help you figure out what’s going on and recommend the best treatment.

Be breast aware

While sore breasts are rarely a sign of cancer, any breast changes should be checked by a healthcare provider. They may examine you or refer you for tests, such as a mammogram or ultrasound.

Think about your HT

If you’re using hormone therapy (HT), it could be contributing to breast pain. Both estrogen and progesterone can cause breast tenderness, especially in the first few weeks or months. In many cases this improves with time. If it doesn’t, a change in dose, type, or delivery method may help.

Wear a supportive bra

Wearing a well-fitting, supportive bra—especially if you have larger breasts—can make a big difference. It reduces movement and helps protect the connective tissue that supports your breasts (called Cooper’s ligaments). Many retailers offer free bra fittings in-store, which can help you find the right size and level of support.

Use painkillers if needed

If discomfort is interfering with daily activities, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can help. Check with your healthcare provider before taking anything new, especially if you have other health conditions.

Can hormone therapy (HT) help?

In some cases, yes, but it can also make breast pain worse for some people. HT often causes breast tenderness as a side effect, especially in the first few months after starting treatment.

Interestingly, if you had sore breasts before starting HT, you might find that symptoms actually improve. Because of this mixed effect, HT is not typically prescribed solely to treat breast pain.

However, it can help with other menopause symptoms that affect your quality of life—like hot flashes, sleep issues, and mood changes. Whether HT is a good option depends on your full symptom profile, health history, and treatment goals.

Read more about HT risks and benefits here.

What if your HT is causing sore breasts?

If breast tenderness hasn’t improved after several months of hormone therapy, it’s time to check in with your healthcare provider.

They may suggest:

• Switching to a lower dose of estrogen
• Trying a different formulation (for example, changing from oral to transdermal)
• Using patches, gels, or sprays instead of pills

These adjustments can reduce the likelihood of breast pain while still offering symptom relief.

Are sore breasts a sign of cancer?

Breast pain alone is rarely a sign of breast cancer but it’s normal to worry, especially if the pain feels new or different. That’s why it’s important to stay aware of changes and have anything unusual checked out.

Speak with your healthcare provider if you notice:

• A lump in the breast
• Thickening or changes in how your breast feels
• A change in breast shape or size
• Any kind of nipple discharge (including clear, bloody, or milky fluid)
• Swelling or a lump under your arm
• Skin changes like dimpling, puckering, or unusual texture
• Rashes around the nipple or breast (especially if crusted or scaly)
• Nipple inversion or changes in direction or shape

Having any of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean cancer, but they should be evaluated to rule it out.

Could supplements or lifestyle changes help?

Maybe. Some people try supplements like evening primrose oil, vitamin E, or omega-3s for breast pain. Research is limited and results are mixed. If you’re considering supplements:

• Talk to your healthcare provider first
• Be cautious of interactions with medications or underlying conditions
• Choose regulated, high-quality brands

Cutting back on caffeine may also help, and it could have added benefits for sleep, anxiety, or hot flashes. Keeping a symptom log can help you see what lifestyle changes make a difference over time.

Read our article on what supplements are available for menopause.

Sore breasts and menopause FAQs

Why do sore breasts happen during menopause?

During perimenopause, your body’s production of estrogen and progesterone becomes more erratic before decreasing dramatically after menopause (when your periods have stopped for more than 12 months).

In some cases, the unpredictable spikes in hormone levels are thought to be responsible for increasing breast tenderness during perimenopause. This is because breast tissue contains receptors sensitive to both estrogen and progesterone.

You will also notice other changes to your breasts after menopause. Declining estrogen levels can impact tissues as collagen, hydration levels, and elasticity decrease. This affects ligaments, skin, and breast tissue itself, and can mean that sagging is much more noticeable and uncomfortable.

When should you see a healthcare provider?

You should check in with your healthcare provider if:

• Breast pain is persistent or worsening
• The pain is affecting your daily life
• You notice new or unusual symptoms

Seek urgent care if you notice:

• A lump in the breast
• Changes in breast shape, size, or texture
• Any kind of nipple discharge
• Skin changes on the breast or nipple
• Rashes that look crusty or inflamed
• Nipple inversion or a change in direction
• Swelling or a lump in your armpit
• A strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer

Even if it turns out to be nothing serious, getting checked can give you peace of mind and rule out anything that needs treatment.

Learn more – the latest research

• American Cancer Society, Breast cancer signs and symptoms
• Cleveland Clinic, Breast pain 
• Davies EL, Gateley CA, Miers M, Mansel RE. The long-term course of mastalgia. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 1998;91(9):462-464. doi:doi.10.1177/014107689809100903
• Marsh MS, Whitcroft S, Whitehead MI. Paradoxical effects of hormone replacement therapy on breast tenderness in postmenopausal women. Maturitas. 1994 Aug;19(2):97-102. doi: 10.1016/0378-5122(94)90059-0. PMID: 7968650.
• Mayo Clinic, Estrogen And Progestin Combination (Ovarian Hormone Therapy) (Oral Route)
• Yıldırım AC, Yıldız P, Yıldız M, Kahramanca Ş, Kargıcı H. Mastalgia-Cancer Relationship: A Prospective Study. J Breast Health. 2015 Apr 1;11(2):88-91. doi: 10.5152/tjbh.2015.2492. PMID: 28331698; PMCID: PMC5351493.