Menopause and sore breasts

Tips to help with sore breasts during menopause

See your healthcare provider

Many different things can cause breast pain and menopause is only one of them. Other possible culprits include cysts, strained muscles, and costochondritis, inflammation of the cartilage that joins your ribs to your breastbone. Your healthcare provider will be able to help in finding out what is causing your pain and how best to treat it.

Be breast aware

Although breast pain is not usually a sign of breast cancer, it is still important to get checked out. Your healthcare provider may want to examine you or refer you for further tests. 

Think about your HT

If you are taking HT, it could be the culprit! Sore breasts are a common side effect of both estrogen and progesterone. Usually, these HT symptoms settle within a few weeks, but a change to your prescription could help if they last longer.

Wear a good bra

This is especially important if you have larger breasts. Good support helps to minimize strain on your breasts and helps to prevent damage to Cooper’s ligaments, which give your breasts their shape. Getting fitted properly can make all the difference – many retailers now offer this service in-store free of charge.

Use painkillers if needed

If you are struggling with discomfort, your healthcare provider may recommend using a non-prescription pain medicine, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, to help. 

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Can hormone therapy (HT) help?

Possibly. HT can actually cause breast tenderness for many – it is a common side effect of both estrogen and progesterone and generally settles after a few months. Interestingly, those who had sore breasts prior to starting HT may find that their symptoms improve.

Because of this seeming contradiction, HT is not prescribed solely for sore breasts. Your own healthcare provider will be able to advise on the best treatment for you.

HT can effectively treat other symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disturbance, among others. However, HT is not suitable for everyone. Read more about HT risks and benefits here. 

What if YOUR HT is causing sore breasts?

If your symptoms are not settling down after a few months, speak to your healthcare provider. They may recommend switching to a lower dose or different type of estrogen, or to a transdermal form of HT, such as a patch, gel or spray. These adjustments may help to reduce your symptoms. 

ARE SORE BREASTS A SIGN OF CANCER?

While breast pain is extremely common, it can still cause you to worry about breast cancer.

The good news is that sore breasts alone are not generally a sign of cancer. However, you should always get any changes checked out by your healthcare provider. They may choose to examine you or refer you for further tests.

Breast cancer signs include:

• A breast lump
• Other changes to the way your breasts feel – including thickening
• Changes to the shape or size of your breast/s
• Leaking from the nipple – any new leakage needs to be checked out, whether blood, pus, clear fluid or something else
• Any lump or swelling in your armpit
• Skin changes on your breast including dimples, puckering or thickening
• Rashes on your breast or nipple – especially those that look crusted, scaly, inflamed or like eczema
• Nipple changes, including inversion (the nipple no longer points outward) and changed shape

Would evening primrose oil, cutting down on caffeine or taking other supplements help?

Currently, there is not much evidence available about how well supplements work.

If you do decide to give supplements a whirl, speak to your healthcare provider beforehand. Herbal remedies like evening primrose oil can interact with other medications. They can also be unsafe if you have certain medical conditions. Read our article on what supplements are available for menopause.

Cutting down on caffeine is worth trying anyway as it may have benefits for other menopause symptoms, such as improving sleep and reducing hot flashes.