Breast During Menopause

Menopause can be defined as the end of menstruation. It is also refers to as the period that ends the female reproductive phase of life. In this time of menopause, the woman’s monthly cycle of menstruation ceases forever and the level of hormones produces by the ovaries decreases immensely.

Menopause starts at the age of late 40s and early 50s. By this time the level of estrogen and progesterone begins to rise and fall with levels of estrogen vividly decreasing, which leads to lots of symptoms commonly associate with menopause.

With this reduction in the stimulation by estrogen to all tissues of the body including the breast tissue, the glandular tissue of the breasts reduces. This occurs because without estrogen, the connective tissue of the breast becomes dehydrated and inelastic and the breast tissue that was prepared to produce milk loses shape and shrinks, which leads to the drooping or sagging of the breast and it is common among women at their late 40’s and early 50’s.

The case of women who are on hormone replacement therapy is difference because they may experience some of the premenstrual breast symptoms as they experienced while menstruating during menopause, and breast tenderness and swelling may be inclusive. Notwithstanding, there is no reverse of a sagged breast before menopause with any type of hormone replacement therapy.

In other words, pain, tenderness or soreness in the breast can also occur during menopause. It can start in a generalized discomfort and pain associated with touching or application of pressure to the breast. All women are advised to consult a doctor if the pain is severe and persisted for some months.