What causes breast pain after menopause?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on February 04, 2025
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When experiencing delayed menstruation and symptoms of breast tenderness, the first consideration should be related to pregnancy. As long as there has been sexual activity, whether contraception was used or not, a pregnancy test should be conducted. However, not all cases of ceased menstruation and breast tenderness are related to pregnancy; some people may experience these symptoms before their period, which can only be differentiated by medical examination.

If menstruation has stopped for two weeks and pregnancy is still ruled out upon re-examination, then intervention should be considered. An ultrasound should be performed. For some, symptoms of breast tenderness may be related to staying up late, excessive stress, the tightness of bras, or breast hyperplasia, among other factors.

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What tests should be done for breast pain?

Breast pain is generally considered to be caused by breast hyperplasia. It usually occurs or worsens before menstruation and decreases or disappears after menstruation. In this case, it is recommended to have a breast ultrasound, which generally shows uneven low echo areas. If cysts are formed, anechoic areas will be reported. You can also undergo a mammography X-ray examination, which often shows ground glass-like or cotton wool-like shadows. If financial conditions allow, further breast MRI examination can be conducted to more accurately determine the benign or malignant nature of the condition.

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Written by Wu Shi Ting
Breast Health Department
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Breast swelling, pain, and lumps, what is going on?

There are several types of conditions where lumps can be found in the breast. Breast tissue itself is essentially a hard substance that can normally be grasped or pinched by hand. Therefore, sometimes the lumps you feel in the breast are just normal areas of breast tissue protrusion, which generally disappear after menstruation or after subsiding. You do not need to worry too much about breast lumps that appear during this special period. Another more common type of breast lump is fibroadenoma of the breast, which typically occurs in women of childbearing age between 20 and 39 years old. Another condition is cystic hyperplasia of the breast. This is more common in middle-aged women, often with several hard nodules of varying sizes on both breasts, with unclear borders, which can cause pain, especially more noticeable before menstruation. When it might be a breast disease, it is advisable for patients to visit a hospital and consult a doctor on how to proceed.

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Breast Surgery
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Can I apply magnesium sulfate for breast pain?

Breast distension pain generally does not require the administration of magnesium sulfate, as magnesium sulfate is typically used for cellulitis or inflammation and swelling and needs to be applied externally. Breast distension pain is usually related to breast hyperplasia, which is associated with elevated levels of estrogen in the body. Therefore, it is often treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Techniques such as soothing the liver and regulating the Qi, as well as coordinating the thoroughfare and conception vessels, can relieve pain. Endocrine treatments are also available, though ideally not used unless the pain is very significant during the premenopausal period, in which case it can be taken before the onset of menstruation. Vitamin therapy, including vitamins B, C, and E, can also be used; these improve liver function, regulate basal metabolism, and enhance the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, serving as adjunctive treatments for this condition.

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Breast Surgery
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Should I use cold or hot compress for breast pain?

For breast tenderness, we generally choose hot compresses to reduce pain. For the occurrence of mammary gland hyperplasia, it is recommended to use medication for symptomatic treatment, which may include traditional Chinese medicine. This treatment involves soothing the liver and regulating qi, and balancing the thoroughfare and conception vessels to alleviate pain. Endocrine treatments are also an option, but they are ideally avoided if possible. However, for significant pain during the pre-menopausal period, medication can be taken before the onset of menstruation. Vitamin treatments with vitamins B, C, and E, which help improve liver function, regulate hormone metabolism, and enhance autonomic nerve functions, can be used as adjunctive medications for this condition. Vitamin E also has pain-relieving properties. For individuals with a family history of breast cancer, localized lesions in part of the breast, noticeable lumps after menstruation or dense shadows or microcalcifications on a mammographic film, a biopsy or a Mammotome rotational excision procedure should be performed, and surgical treatment may be necessary if required.

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Can an ice pack be applied for breast swelling and pain?

Breast pain is generally not treated with cold compresses using ice packs; instead, hot compresses can be considered. Breast pain caused by fibrocystic changes can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Methods such as soothing the liver and regulating the Qi, and harmonizing the thoroughfare and conception vessels can relieve pain. Endocrine therapy is also an option, though preferably minimized. It can be taken before menstruation in cases of significant pre-menopausal pain. Vitamin treatment, including vitamins B, C, and E, can improve liver function, regulate basal metabolic rate, and enhance autonomic nerve functionality, and thus can be used as auxiliary medication for this condition. In recent years, vitamin E is also considered to have pain-relieving effects. For those with a family history of breast cancer, or when the lesion is confined to a part of the breast and a noticeable lump persists after the menstrual period, a biopsy via fine-needle aspiration or MammoTome rotational biopsy may be conducted, and surgical treatment may be necessary if required.