Hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of sexual appetite and even weight gain are some of the symptoms that are associated with menopause. However, there is a lot more to menopause than these physical and emotional changes. One menopause-related problem that is not getting enough ...Hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of sexual appetite and even weight gain are some of the symptoms that are associated with menopause. However, there is a lot more to menopause than these physical and emotional changes. One menopause-related problem that is not getting enough attention is breast changes.
As you well know, hormonal changes during pregnancy and monthly periods can cause breast tenderness and discomforts. This problem is also apparent in some women during menopause. If you have experienced breast pain, you know that it is not something that you can tolerate. What's more, during menopause, breast discomforts brought by physical changes usually last for a couple of days, weeks or even months.
The first thing you need to do, when you feel breast pain during menopause is to go to your doctor and have a check up. If laboratory tests show that your condition is not really something serious, then you can go ahead and follow the tips below to relieve the pain you are feeling in your breasts.
Minimize Your Intake of Fat
Women who love to eat fatty foods seem to be more at risk of experiencing breast discomforts during menopause and even a few days before their monthly period. Studies have shown that too much fat in the body could cause an increase in the level of estrogen in the body.
Too much of anything, including sex hormone estrogen, is never a good thing. Breast lumps and pains are usually due to the buildup of cellular tissues and fluids in the breast caused by excess estrogen. In order to prevent having breast lumps and pains, it is important for women to minimize eating fat, especially those coming from red meat. It may also be a good idea to veer away from poultry and dairy products that contain artificial hormones and boosters. If you have to eat chicken or poultry products, you ought to try the ones sold at stores selling 100% organic food.
Comfort Inflamed Breasts With A Gentle Massage
Another way to ease pain in the breast is through a gentle massage. This will help improve blood circulation in the area. Just make sure that you use your fingertips in gently making small circular motions over the entire breast surface. If you feel that there are lumps or cysts, you may also massage the area around it gently. Be sure not to rub your breasts vigorously because doing so could cause more pain and irritation.
Cut Back On Your Caffeine Fix
One of the reasons behind your breast pains is too much coffee. Methylxantine, a substance found in coffee and other caffeine-rich beverages, irritates blood vessels and stretches veins that could exacerbate breast tenderness. While you are feeling pain in your breasts, it may be wise to lessen your intake of coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, and even over-the-counter pain medications.
Indulge In Fiber
We all know that fiber is important in flushing out waste matters and toxins inside the colon and out of the body. People who eat fiber-rich diet are assured that their waste-elimination system is working properly.
Another waste product that fiber can help flush out from your body is excess estrogen, which is responsible for the formation of lumps that cause your breast to be painful and tender.
Vegetables that are rich in fiber include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnips, cabbage and kale. Moreover, these vegetables are also rich in indole-3-carbinol, a substance that is vital in inhibiting the binding of estrogen in breast tissues. Iodine is another mineral that helps in preventing this female sex hormone to attach itself to breast receptors.
If you happen to be suffering from other menopausal symptoms, aside from breast tenderness, you may want to take natural-based supplements such as Menersa to help you cope with menopausal symptoms. For more information about how Menersa can help you, simply log on to http://tinyurl.com/8jkw6ma.
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine www.thearticleinsiders.com.