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[SamC]

Hello everyone,

I am 59 and 7 or 8 years past the (fairly early) menopause. I have been through all the normal stuff, but nothing out of the ordinary and not for a long time. I've never had HRT or any other treatment. But for the last 6 weeks or so, I've had terribly sensitive and painful left nipple, like drilling into the nipple or being constantly stimulated. It is swollen (always out) and hideously sensitive to any touch, even a bra, and tender to pressure beneath the areola.

I was referred to breast clinic and have had a mammogram and ultrasound. Although I've got 'lumpy breast tissue', it's all clear of nasties. To be honest the consultant was not very helpful and I was just given a leaflet about non-cyclical breast pain and told if the scans were clear, they "don't treat hormonal changes."

I don't buy the 'hormonal changes' thing after so many years post-menopause. But am I wrong? Has anybody else experienced this?

I've been back to the GP because to be honest it's driving me mad and I am quite low and anxious. She was sympathetic but could only suggest constant ibuprofen for a week. I have found the tablets fairly useless, but some marginal temporary relief using topical ibuprofen gel. But I can only use that for a couple of weeks...

Apologies for the long post, but I'm at a loss searching for explanation, so I'm hoping there might be somebody who has had similar experience, and/or it's helpful to someone else who is suffering.

Warm wishes x

[CLKD]

Hormones.  Oestrogen levels may continue to drop for years after our last bleed.  Even in those who ovaries have been removed the stump left behind may be enough to trigger changes.

Sorry that I can't help with regards pain, mayB alternate Ibuprofen with Paracetamol?  Is the breast hot touch?

 

[SamC]

Thank you for your reply!  It's quite unlike hormonal breast pain of the past, but I take your point. There's more to post-menopause than perhaps I realised! 

No, it's not hot to touch and GP thinks not an infection, but is trying me on an antibiotic steroid cream for a bit. I'll get that today, a bit unorthodox but we'll see...

Many thanks

[CLKD]

Many of us thought that menopause was a loss of periods and a few hot flushes  never being aware that there mayB 8+ years prior to the last bleed i.e. peri ......

MayB keeping a note of when symptoms might be cyclical ......... I've never heard of an antibiotic steroid cream  .  Let us know how you get on.

Even years++ after my last period my breasts are occasionally tender/nipping which I can put down to lifting or pushing a hoe into the earth. 

[SamC]

Thank you! Much appreciated. A little improvement so far with the steroid cream and nipple gel pads...

[CLKD]

That's good.  It may be cyclical, but even so 

[Jules]

I'm 67 and can't even remember my last period but I get bouts of breast pain, often in the same breast. I was also given the leaflet. On one bout it was really painful. Mine must be hormonal though I'm sure I've none left!! It goes worse if I get stressed and worry about the pain. For a start I must hold myself tense and that increases pain but also the consultant told me the brain is a very powerful thing.

[Jazzy4]

I had exactly the same went through the breast scans etc all negative got told it was because I needed a well fitting Bra. No one mentioned lack of estrogen. Recently got diagnosed with Vaginally Atrohy, so now believe it’s hormonal pain has almost gone and I got measured for a bra.