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Remedies for Menopausal Symptoms
The Menopause Self Help Book
by Susan M. Lark, M.D.,
The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal by Terry Willard, Ph.D.,
Menopausal Years The Wise Woman Way by Susun S. Weed
are drawn heavily upon for this segment. All references are provided here.
 SORE
BREASTS
Water retention is often associated with breast tenderness. Further discomfort
may come in the form of benign lumps, which enlarge as the time of menses
approaches and shrink following menses. This type of discomfort may increase
in menopausal years, or conversely may diminish, bringing relief from
chronically tender nipples and breasts.31
Progesterone: In his practice of
over 25 years, Dr. John Lee found that in many of his patients fibrocystic
breasts were most often a sign of relatively high estrogen and low progesterone
levels. He also found that "using natural progesterone routinely
resolves the problem." He also found that 600 IU of vitamin E at
bedtime, as well as 300 mg of magnesium and 50 mg of vitamin B6
a day routinely resolved fibrocystic breasts. He says "once the cysts
have cleared up, you can reduce the progesterone dose to find the smallest
dose that is still effective each month and continue the treatment as
needed through menopause. This treatment is simple, safe, inexpensive,
successful and natural."
Herbs: Susun Weed suggests that sore
breasts are often associated with water retention and may be helped by
tincture of black cohosh (10-20 drops), vitex (20-40 drops) and liferoot
(5-10 drops) twice a day for 2 weeks preceding menstruation. Also, chewing
on a dong quai root for two weeks preceding menstruation may help.
St. John’s Wort oil:
For most people, topical application penetrates nerve endings and relieves
pain.31
Calcium and magnesium levels may
be low when women experience sore breasts. Women who consume at least
1,300 mg of calcium daily from dietary sources (or who consume calcium
supplements balanced with magnesium) often have less breast tenderness.
It is generally recommended that a postmenopausal woman consume at least
1,500 mg of calcium. While both magnesium and phosphorus work together
with calcium in the body, too much of either interferes with calcium,
and a 2:1 ratio of calcium:magnesium is considered desirable. Also, the
addition of a vitamin B complex is believed to help sore breasts.31
Elimination of caffeine-rich foods
such as coffee, colas, and black tea may reduce breast tenderness.31
Meditating and visualization in
conjunction with relaxing breathing techniques may help sore breasts.31
Researched and written by the ProjectAWARE group, 2000
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