7 WAYS TO MANAGE BREAST TENDERNESS IN PERIMENOPAUSE

If your breasts are so tender that they’re making you miserable, here are some helpful steps

you can take.

• Use progesterone cream or capsules to help balance estrogen and improve symptoms. Progesterone cream is available over-the-counter, but capsules require a prescription. Progesterone also helps with bloating and many of the mood-related symptoms of perimenopause. 
• Eating more fiber helps lower estrogen levels, which will improve the estrogen/progesterone balance. Aim for 35-45 gm/day. Increase this gradually or your GI system will let you know it’s unhappy!
• Vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, essential fatty acids, and folic acid levels need to be at optimal levels. Magnesium, along with vitamin B6, is particularly effective in reducing breast sensitivity and pain, in addition to helping with insomnia, tension headaches, anxiety, depression, cravings, and water retention.

I recommend 500-800 mg of magnesium glycinate at bedtime to my clients. Avoid magnesium oxide. It is poorly absorbed and can cause diarrhea in some women.

• If you are taking birth control pills or HRT, these medications may be contributing to your breast tenderness. You might want to reconsider using them or try a brand that has a different ratio of estrogen to progestin.
• Dial back the caffeine. Methylxanthines (found in caffeine) can contribute to breast tenderness.
• Invest in a good supportive bra.
• Avoid alcohol. Drinking increases estrogen levels.

The good news is that breast tenderness improves as you reach menopause.This is because estrogen levels decline enough to create better balance with progesterone. If pain is severe and does not improve with these lifestyle and supplement changes, consult your healthcare provider.

http://www.drannagarrett.com/2015/10/7-ways-to-manage-breast-tenderness-in-perimenopause-2/?inf_contact_key=8770e5c8510aa9fb9382266cf211729460993052b0010be650a6ab6a1f9faf7f