46 Years Old. Started Irregular Periods, Having Sore Breast. Is This Related To Hormone Imbalance Or Perimenopause?

Posted on Mon, 6 Aug 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 8 Aug 2012 Answered on

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I´m 46 year old and starting to have some irregularities with my period, getting further apart between cycles. Usually my breasts are sore before getting my period, but lately this didn´t happen all the time, but in the last one I had, my breast were tender before but I just finished and they are still bothering me. Is this because of hormone imbalance related to perimenopause? Is it normal that my breasts are sore even after my period? Not pregnant for sure. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (2 days later)

Hi,

Thanks for posting your query.

Yes, breast soreness and lengthy/irregular menstrual cycles are an indication that you are approaching perimenopause/menopause. As the estrogen levels start to decline at this age, unbalanced estrogen levels causes breast soreness and menstrual irregularities.

This kind of symptoms (soreness persisting even after period) are common in most women of yours age group. It does not suggest cancer unless you find lumps/abnormal discharge from the nipple. So do not worry.

You can confirm your perimenopause state by getting the levels of follicular stimulating Hormone (FSH) in your blood. Low FSH level suggest that you are approaching menopause.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need further information.
If all your queries are answered, please close this discussion.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar