What is the cause of postmenopausal breast pain?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 01, 2024
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Under normal circumstances, if breast swelling and pain occur after menopause, it is necessary to visit a hospital for a breast ultrasound to check for any organic diseases in the breast. If the ultrasound reveals any abnormal masses or conditions, further examination with a mammogram is generally required. Normally, there should not be any swelling or pain in the breasts after menopause. If such symptoms occur, they should be taken seriously, and a hospital visit is necessary for relevant examinations to rule out malignant breast tumors. If there is no malignant tumor and the breast ultrasound does not show significant issues, merely presenting with breast swelling and pain, at this point, some medicinal treatment for regulation can be taken. Traditional Chinese medicine generally considers that the liver meridian passes through the breast, and patients with liver Qi stagnation may experience breast swelling and pain. In such cases, taking medicine to soothe the liver and alleviate depression can be symptomatically appropriate.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Is breast tenderness a sign that menstruation is coming?

Normally, if breast pain occurs before each menstrual period, it is generally considered that menstruation is approaching. However, some patients may also experience breast pain in the early stages of pregnancy. This type of pain usually occurs when the menstrual period does not arrive as expected, and at this time, the breast pain might be due to pregnancy. In such cases, it is advisable to visit a hospital for early pregnancy tests to obtain a clear diagnosis. If the test results indicate that pregnancy is not the cause of the breast pain, then it is likely that menstruation is approaching. Some patients may experience breast pain due to liver qi stagnation before their period, which is considered a pathological state and generally requires medication for symptomatic treatment. If pregnancy tests are negative and breast pain occurs, it is highly likely that menstruation is imminent.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
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Will ovulation cause breast pain?

Generally speaking, breast pain may occur during the ovulation period, but this varies from person to person. However, having breast pain does not necessarily mean ovulation is occurring. If breast pain occurs during ovulation, it could be due to ovulation, but other conditions such as hormonal influences, breast hyperplasia, or mastitis cannot be ruled out. It is recommended that patients visit a hospital for examinations such as breast ultrasound or mammography to rule out any medical conditions.

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Written by Wang Xiu Mei
Obstetrics
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Is breast swelling and pain one week before menstruation a sign of pregnancy?

Breast swelling and pain a week before menstruation may be related to menstruation due to increased estrogen during the latter half of the menstrual cycle, leading to breast or nipple swelling and pain. If these symptoms occur outside of the menstrual period, it may indicate a breast condition such as fibrocystic breast disease, mastitis, or nipple infection. In such cases, it is necessary to visit a hospital for breast examinations like breast ultrasound or mammography to diagnose the condition. Generally, symptoms may relieve or disappear after menstruation, but breast pain can also be caused by local inflammation of the breast, and inflammation of the nipple can also cause swelling and discomfort. If symptoms are significant and accompanied by pain, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying the condition, and self-medicating should be avoided. On the other hand, during the early stages of pregnancy, a significant rise in hormones can also cause breast swelling and pain. Therefore, if there is a question about an impending menstrual cycle, it is advisable to undergo necessary tests to determine, and if there has been sexual intercourse for half a month, pregnancy can be confirmed through a blood test.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Can breast distension and pain be treated with moxibustion?

Breast distension pain can be treated with moxibustion, but the results might not always be satisfactory as breast distension pain is related to mammary gland hyperplasia, which is believed to be connected to increased estrogen levels caused by endocrine disorders. Generally, we use traditional Chinese medicine for treatment, which relieves pain through methods that soothe the liver and regulate Qi, and harmonize the thoroughfare and conception vessels. Endocrine treatment is also an option but is used as sparingly as possible. However, it can be administered before menstrual onset in cases where pain is significantly pronounced in the pre-menopausal phase. Regular pelvic ultrasound re-examinations must be conducted during endocrine treatment due to the increased risk of endometrial cancer that this treatment might entail. Treatment with vitamins such as vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E can also be used, as they aid in improving liver function, regulating sex hormone metabolism, and enhancing autonomic nervous system functions, serving as adjunctive medication for this condition. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Is bilateral breast pain breast cancer?

Bilateral breast pain generally is not considered breast cancer, but rather breast hyperplasia. Diagnosis can be confirmed through breast ultrasound and mammography. The ultrasound of breast hyperplasia typically shows uneven low echo areas; if cysts are present, they appear as anechoic areas. Mammography may display a ground-glass or cotton wool-like shadow. However, it is important to be cautious of the possibility that breast hyperplasia and breast cancer may coexist. On one hand, patients with significant hyperplasia should be closely followed up, advised to return to the hospital every two to three months for follow-up examinations. On the other hand, patients with significant proliferative lumps or unclear boundaries in thickened breast areas are recommended to undergo a biopsy of the suspicious lesions to prevent misdiagnosis.