How Low Estrogen Affects Your Breasts During Menopause

Low estrogen during menopause can cause many changes in your life. It may even affect the appearance of your breasts.

Hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness – low estrogen during menopause can cause a lot of uncomfortable changes. Most of us know about these common symptoms of menopause. However, low estrogen may also cause our breasts to change as well. Learn about some common breast changes during menopause and how your hormone doctor may be able to help.

How Low Estrogen Can Change Your Breasts

Low estrogen levels can decrease the amount of fat and tissue in your breasts, leaving them smaller and less full than they used to be. Additionally, mammary gland tissue typically shrinks during menopause, which also may leave your breasts looking different. Your breasts may also begin to sag as your estrogen levels plummet, as the connective tissues in your breasts start to become dehydrated and lose elasticity.

In addition, low estrogen may cause changes in your nipples and areolae. During menopause, you may notice that your nipples start to turn slightly inward. Your nipples and areolae may also start to shrink. However, some studies suggest that hormone replacement treatment may help prevent these changes.

The Role of Hormone Replacement Treatment In Breast Appearance

In 2012, a group of researchers set out to find how some environmental factors can influence breast aging, including hormone therapy. To do so, they studied 161 pairs of identical twins and assessed several different metrics of their breast appearance. The study found that the women who received hormone therapy after menopause had higher scores in many different elements of breast appearance. Some areas where these women scored higher included:

• Breast shape
• Breast size
• Areola shape
• Areola size
• Breast projection
• Fullness in the upper part of the breast
• Patches of discoloration on breast skin

The results of this study suggest that hormone therapy for menopausal women may play a role in how your breasts change. While low estrogen levels can cause many unwanted symptoms during menopause, your hormone doctor helps bring your hormones back into balance. This may help reduce breast changes during menopause. However, as Johns Hopkins notes, estrogen replacement treatment won’t improve breast ptosis if they were saggy before menopause.

At HerKare, we take time to understand who you are as an individual to help develop a personalized treatment plan for your symptoms. We understand how menopause can make you feel. Therefore, we offer advanced treatments to reduce your symptoms and help you feel better. Our women’s health clinic is owned and operated by women for women, as our goal is to provide healthcare that helps women address their symptoms and feel better. Schedule an appointment at one of our clinics online to start feeling well again. At HerKare, we listen, we understand, and we help you feel like yourself again.