Breast pain is a common symptom of menopause caused by hormonal imbalances. The hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone affect menopause and breast pain, which can be cyclical or non-cyclical and occur in one or both breasts. Breast pain is not usually a sign of breast cancer, but a new breast lump should be checked by a doctor.
The connection between menopause and breast pain is that breast pain is often a symptom of menopause. Breast pain is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance during menopause, pregnancy and menstruation. Sometimes breast pain can accompany menopause that is unrelated to hormones, such as noncyclic breast pain and extramammary pain.
Menopause is related to breast pain due to the hormonal imbalance that occurs during menopause. A woman’s breasts can become sore at any time when there is a hormonal imbalance. Other frequent examples of breast pain due to hormonal imbalances are during menstruation and pregnancy. Sore breasts are symptoms of premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause, although they are more common during premenopause and perimenopause.
The hormones that affect menopause and breast pain are the same hormones that cause similar symptoms during menstruation and pregnancy. These hormones are estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Hormones fluctuate during these times and the reproductive organs are affected, causing breast pain and abdominal cramps.
All women are affected by these hormones differently. A woman’s hormone levels, genetics, and physiology are all unique, so symptoms are unique to each woman. Some women may not experience any breast pain during menopause, while others may have severe discomfort.
Breast pain is defined as general discomfort, pain, or tenderness in one or both breasts. The medical terms for breast pain are mastalgia, mastalgia, and mastodynia. Up to 70% of women experience breast pain during their lifetime. Fortunately, most symptoms are mild. Only about 10% of women experience severe menopause symptoms and breast pain.
When present, menopause and breast pain can manifest in many different ways. The pain can be constant during menopause or intermittent. The pain can occur in one or both breasts and can be general pain in the breast or localized pain in one area of the breast. Breast pain can be accompanied by breast swelling, a sharp burning sensation, or pain in the breast, as well as aches, tightness, and fullness.
The most common type of breast pain during menopause is cyclical breast pain. This describes breasts that are dull, sore, or heavy, as well as swelling and lumps. Cyclic breast pain typically affects both breasts. This type usually affects perimenopausal and premenstrual women.
A less common type of breast pain is non-cyclical, which is not caused by hormonal changes. It is more common in postmenopausal women and manifests as pain, burning, or tightness, usually affecting only one breast. Extrammary pain can occur during menopause, but is unrelated to menopause. The pain is located outside the breast and usually comes from a pulled muscle.
A common misconception of the connection between menopause and breast pain is the fear that breast pain indicates breast cancer. Breast pain can be alarming for many women and their families. The vast majority of breast pain during menopause is not due to cancer. It is usually a signal that hormonal changes are occurring in the body. If your sore breast is accompanied by a new breast lump, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, as a lump is a possible sign of breast cancer.
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