Breast pain during perimenopause and menopause
Breast pain can fluctuate a lot during perimenopause, especially if your periods are changing. So, you very often find that breast discomfort, nipple pain, and breast tenderness get worse just before a period.
But also, once your periods have stopped, you can still have a sort of monthly cycle and PMS-like symptoms. At this point, your hormones are not high enough to trigger a bleed, but they can be still high enough to cause those monthly changes and symptoms at certain times.
And from all the questions I get, breast pain still seems to be quite a common one in the first year or two of menopause itself.
Surprising things that could be making your breast pain worse
So, here are some of the things that can be contributory factors to breast pain and what you can do to help yourself:
1. Your bra
The first thing to consider is your bra! Unsupportive bras, a bra that's too tight, or an underwired bra can all contribute to breast pain. Especially if you wear underwired bras; they can really dig into the sides of your breast and cause a lot of discomfort.
So, it's really important that, if you are experiencing discomfort, you get yourself measured properly to make sure that you're wearing the right size bra. A much more supportive bra, apart from anything else, will make you look and feel better.
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2. Antiperspirants
Did you know that your antiperspirant could be causing your breast pain?
Some women tell me they only get it one-sided, and it's amazing how often it's to do with how much antiperspirant you put on.
It's really interesting because you're more heavy-handed with your dominant hand. So, if you're right-handed, you tend to put more antiperspirant under your left arm and, if you're left-handed, you tend to put more antiperspirant under your right arm. And it's usually the opposite side to your dominant hand where you will get most of the breast pain.
Remember that antiperspirants block the pores under your arms, so you can't actually sweat at all. So, you imagine, especially if you're getting hot flushes and sweats, your body is desperate to lose that extra heat via sweat, and the sweat that should be leaving through the underarm area is being blocked. And we do know, from experience over the years, that this very often ends up causing a lot of breast discomfort.
So, what I recommend here is to switch from using an antiperspirant to a deodorant. Go with a natural deodorant that doesn't block the pores but obviously keeps you smelling nice and sweet.
You could try one of the Salt of the Earth deodorants. They're really good natural deodorants. They don't cause any white stains and there is a great range to choose from. You can get nicely scented ones and they work really well. I've used them when I've been traveling in heat over 40° and I've still been smelling sweetly.
3. Certain medications
Some medications can cause breast discomfort. Some women tell me that when they start HRT for the first few months, they get breast tenderness. And it's just due to the hormonal increase. But it's really important if you start HRT or other medication and you start to get breast pain, check the patient information leaflet to see if it's a known side effect.
If you're in any doubt at all, then just ask your pharmacist and they'll be able to tell you whether this is okay; and if not, what you need to do next.
4. Your posture
If you are hunching yourself up, or you've got a lot of pain around the back, or you're just sitting hunched over your computer, that can cause changes to the way that your breasts feel as well; so remember to sit up with your shoulders back.
And if you are getting any pain or discomfort in your back, shoulders, or neck, then maybe see a chiropractor just to get an assessment to see if you need any kind of treatment for this.
5. Certain food and drinks
Unfortunately, it’s often the things that we like, so it could be things like caffeine. Some women tell me that they get breast discomfort the day after they've had a few drinks. So, if your breast pain is sporadic, it only happens now and again, then maybe look back 24 hours to see if you've been doing anything different that might be a contributory factor, and then, at least, you have that little bit more control.
Remember too that salt can be a problem because too much salt can affect fluid retention, which then affects the breasts.
6. Dehydration
When oestrogen falls, that can cause dehydration generally. If your body is really dehydrated, it will find places to hold onto water. And the common places are swollen ankles, swollen hands, and swollen feet; but you can get swollen breasts as well.
A lot of women find that this is a really common symptom just before a period. As your oestrogen drops, your body needs that extra water. And a really good indication that this is dehydration that's doing it is that your breasts become rock hard all of a sudden, and they seem to swell. You might find you go up a size as well. Very often, that's dehydration; so, just remember, a good litre and a half of plain water a day can often sort that out.
Some people also find taking a kelp supplement can be really helpful for this, so it's worth trying it for maybe a month or two to see how you get on.
When should you see your doctor about breast pain and discomfort?
This is very important. If you are getting regular discomfort, if you're getting lumps, if you are getting pain or discomfort on a daily basis, if you're getting nipple changes, if you are getting nipple discharge or anything like that, please do go and see your doctor.
If you go to Google and search for breast changes to look out for, you can get a really good list of all the things to look for, and find instructions on how to check your breasts.
So, I hope you found this one helpful. I know, for me, it was the monthly dehydration that caused my breast discomfort in perimenopause and menopause. And once I realised what the cause was, along with the kelp supplement, I found it made a huge difference. And it can do that within about a month or so. So, these things are worth trying.
If anybody out there has had any other issues or what have you done that's made a real difference for yourself, then please share them. We love to hear everybody's stories.
And until then, I will see you next week for another edition of A.Vogel Talks Menopause.
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