Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: patcat on January 10, 2014, 01:53:42 PM

Title: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: patcat on January 10, 2014, 01:53:42 PM
Pat Cat. Hi everyone has anyone had the problem on really painful breast while using Premique. I had been on the low dose and now on the standard dose for 1month, really concerned, having read that breast tenderness makes you more at risk of breast cancer, feel like crying.
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: CLKD on January 10, 2014, 03:36:22 PM
 :welcomemm:  I had breast disease in 1991 and didn't have any more breast tenderness than 'usual' during my cycle.

Where did you read such info.?  My Consultant never told me nor did the Oncologist mention that tenderness is significant.

Have a read of the meus, left of screen.
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: honeybun on January 10, 2014, 03:46:22 PM
When I first went on HRT I had very tender breasts. It did settle but when I changed to a different HRT they were tender again .

Given the fact most women suffer from tenderness during their cycle I can't see the connection from that to cancer.

Have you tried a high dose evening primrose oil to see if that helps.

I think you really are worrying unnecessarily.


Honeyb
x
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: CLKD on January 10, 2014, 03:53:02 PM
Evening Primrose oil - Very Good Idea!
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: Taz2 on January 10, 2014, 05:01:28 PM
Mine were tender for the first couple of months. It should list tender breasts as one of the side effects - it does on most HRTs.

I've never read anywhere that breast tenderness gives an increased risk of breast cancer. Where did you read it?

Taz x
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: Joyce on January 10, 2014, 07:05:53 PM
Starflower capsules with minimum of around 250 GLA works. Take for a few weeks, breast pain gone.  Worked for me anyway.
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: Dancinggirl on January 10, 2014, 10:53:54 PM
Hi and Welcome patcat
I got breast tenderness with oral HRT pills - I tried 3 different ones.  I believe some women find the breast tenderness subsides over time.
I have always found transdermal HRT gives less side effects and is sometimes described as "breast Friendly". 
 Premique suits some women but it's one of the older types of HRT.
If you want to try another HRT pill try Femosten. 
The combination of Oestrogel or Oestrogen patches (these are bio-indentical & most like our own natural hormones) with either Utrogestan or a Mirena coil can be a good option.
Good luck  DG x
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: patcat on January 11, 2014, 06:06:42 PM
Thank you everyone for your help, have only been on premique for 5 weeks so. hope they settle down. Taz read the info somewhere on the internet, probably read to much, that's what my husband say's.Thank's again :)
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: Taz2 on January 11, 2014, 06:29:42 PM
I think we all probably read too much on the internet. It's difficult not to have a go at our own research. Some sites are good such as Patient UK and NetDoctor but lots of others are unreliable.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer have a detailed booklet re breast cancer risks. You can read it here http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/About%20Breast%20Cancer/Breast%20cancer%20publications/Breast%20cancer%20risk%20%E2%80%93%20the%20facts%2C%20Edition%202.pdf

Taz x
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: patcat on January 11, 2014, 07:49:09 PM
Thank's Taz. x :)
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: CLKD on January 11, 2014, 08:31:26 PM
Please put the link Patcat ………. it is a worry if this information is out there regarding breast tenderness andc ancer
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: patcat on January 11, 2014, 10:28:43 PM
Hi CLKD, It was on Medicine Net.com it was an article about new breast tenderness while taking both estrogen and progestrone, being more of a cancer risk, estrogen on i'ts own does not seem to be a problem, do not want to worry anyone. It was something I had not heard of that is why I was concerned. x
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: Taz2 on January 11, 2014, 10:37:54 PM
Was it this article http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=151803

Taz x
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: Cassie on January 12, 2014, 07:12:46 AM
I have always had breast tenderness on HRT, comes and goes, seems better now that I am using Progesterone more regularly, its very common but I have not head of any connection, relax :)
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: Rowan on January 12, 2014, 10:36:25 AM
This nothing new  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014104950.htm probably more to do with HRT promoting breast density.

There has always been some concern with progestin not being so good for the breasts.

From the beginning of my periods I suffered breast tenderness, swelling (sometimes pain) form ovulation onwards and was told my breasts were dense. As I got older the tenderness got worse (probably estrogen dominance) it wasn't until I had a breast reductions that things eased. .

Breast tenderness is normal as part of a womans cycle and if on the Pill or HRT.

If you have dense breasts its harder to get an accurate image with mammograms, I remember having a mammogram, getting dressed afterwards and the technician coming to tell me that they had to do it again because my breasts were very dense, I wasn't too happy.

If you have any concerns its always wise to check with your doctor. http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/breast-pain
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: patcat on January 12, 2014, 08:32:15 PM
Yes Taz it was that article. x
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: patcat on January 12, 2014, 08:38:46 PM
Thank's ladies for your replies. x
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: CLKD on January 12, 2014, 09:29:53 PM
 :thankyou:

hopefully you feel reassured but if you are still worried, have a word with your GP or Practice Nurse.
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: patcat on January 12, 2014, 10:55:27 PM
Thank you CLKD. I do have a phone consultation with doc on tuesday afternoon.  :thankyou:
Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: Hurdity on January 13, 2014, 08:36:49 PM
Hi patcat

Following the helpful link Taz gave below I looked up the study and it was a re-analysis of the data from the Women's Health Initiative Study which was originally published 12 years ago and caused all the HRT scares.

The study has since been found to be flawed due to the experimental design and the age (and age since menopause) of many of the women who took part. Nevertheless the conclusions drawn are still used for all the standard warnings about HRT and cancer risk.

Here is some more information about the study:
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/PRN-women-on-combo-hormone-therapy-219382.aspx

Interestingly this point was made:

"According to Crandall, one finding in this study was expected: Estrogen-plus-progestin therapy has a greater impact on the breast, and women on combination therapy had more breast tenderness than women on estrogen alone. What was surprising, Crandall said, was that women taking estrogen alone did have breast tenderness, but the tenderness didn't correlate to an increased risk of breast cancer."

The HRT in the WHI study was the one you are using so if you are concerned it would be better to take a body-identical form of HRT. Premique is made from horse urine (which, as well as estradiol, contains other oestrogens not found in our body), and a synthetic progestogen.

There are plenty of other options - and the closest tablet to bio-identical is Femoston, although to be completely bio-identical you would need a separate oestrogen pill ( estradiol) and progesterone (Utrogestan). All the different types are listed on the green menu to the left:

Oestrogens:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php

Progestogens:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/to_progestogens.php

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

Title: Re: Breast tenderness while on HRT
Post by: Cassie on January 14, 2014, 05:27:10 AM
Would this apply to progesterone or just to progestegin... sorry don't have time @ the mo to read the whole thread.