Menopause and Breast Cancer: 34 Symptoms to be Aware Of

Menopause – either, you know someone who’s gone through it, or maybe you’ve dealt with “the change” yourself. But while many might believe that menopause is mostly associated with the time in one's life when their period ends- the truth is there are many symptoms and signs of menopause, some expected and others that may surprise you. Read on to learn about the 34 symptoms of menopause, its relationship with breast cancer risks and what you can do to help manage these symptoms.

What Is Menopause?

If you’ve gone without a menstrual period for over 12 months, then there is a good chance that your body may be dealing with menopause. This means that your ovaries have stopped producing hormones and you’re no longer able to get pregnant. Most people who go through menopause experience it between the ages of 40 and mid-50s.

How Long Does Menopause Last?

While menopause is the 12-month timeframe during which you no longer experience a menstrual period, there are in fact, two stages that bookend menopause: perimenopause and post-menopause.

Perimenopause is the stage where your body makes less estrogen before it enters menopause. This stage can last anywhere from one to ten years, depending on the individual. Post menopause is the timeframe after menopause, and this is the stage you will be in for the rest of your life after you stop ovulating.

Roses with panty liners, tampons and an alarm clock

What Are The Symptoms Of Menopause?

Menopause is something that can be experienced differently because each individual’s body is unique. There are 34 symptoms of menopause in total, but some tend to be more common than others and many depend on the stage the individual is in. For example, the ten most common symptoms include:symptoms include:

1. Irregular periods: Experiencing irregular periods happens at the early stages of perimenopause. You’ll likely start to notice you are missing a few periods until they stop completely.

2. Hot flashes: Another of the most common symptoms of perimenopause is hot flashes. During these moments, you’ll experience a sudden flash of heat or sweat around your cheeks and neck.

3. Night sweats: Similar to hot flashes, night sweats will most commonly occur at the early stages of menopause and may interfere with sleep and overall comfort.

4. Mood swings: Mood swings commonly occur when you're going through menopause and they can be a bit more extreme than those experienced while on your period. General mood swings can include feeling sadness or weepiness, or feeling anger or irritation

5. Vaginal dryness: When you hit menopause, your eggs aren’t producing enough estrogen, which also serves as your body's natural lubricant. This causes your vagina to feel drier than normal, and this can result in your being more uncomfortable when having intercourse.

6. Sleep problems: When you're suffering from night sweats, sleep doesn't come easily!

7. Changes in libido: While some women may have an increased libido, most women’s sex drive decreases during menopause due to naturally lower estrogen levels.

8. Fatigue: If you thought you were exhausted now, just wait. With the added symptoms of night sweats and fluctuations in hormone levels that accompany menopause, fatigue can become more common in your life.

9. Bloating: Bloating is common during menopause due to gassiness, hormone fluctuations, and changes in digestion.

10. Headaches: If you’re someone who has had headaches during your period, then you may experience more frequent headaches during menopause.

In addition to the ten most common signs of menopause above, there are 24 other symptoms you may experience due to the fluctuating hormones in your body, including:

Memory loss: You may struggle to recall things when going through menopause. This could be due to a lack of sleep or low estrogen levels.
Breast soreness: This is a common symptom during perimenopause but it gradually decreases over time. A comfortable bra is the ideal solution for supporting tender breasts during this stage.
Bladder control: Also known as stress incontinence, your bladder may leak whenever you partake in physical activities. That is also due to the drop in estrogen levels.
Digestive problems: Since estrogen is low during menopause, cortisol levels will naturally rise. This “stress hormone” can unfortunately contribute to digestive issues such as bloating, nausea, and acid reflux.
Depression: Due to the hormonal changes occurring in your body, you may experience an increase in depression or lowered moods.
Anxiety: Alongside depression, anxiety is a common symptom of menopause. This is closely related to hormone imbalances and mood swings.
Heart palpitations: You may experience an increased heart rate or irregular heartbeat before and during menopause. If this seems like an ongoing issue, it’s best to discuss it with your doctor.
Changes in taste: Your taste buds may shift during menopause. Suddenly, you may prefer new flavors or want to avoid old favorites.
Weight gain: Significant mood swings, a decline in estrogen levels, and lack of exercise can potentially trigger weight gain during menopause. As a result It’s important to keep up regular activity and healthy eating habits during this life stage.
Hair loss/ thinning hair: Due to the hormonal imbalances brought on by menopause, it’s common to experience hair changes, such as thinning hair, a change in hair health, or hair loss.
Burning mouth: Low estrogen levels can surprisingly affect the hormones in your mouth! If you experience numbing, tingling, or burning, it may be due to menopause.
Loss of muscle mass: Estrogen deficiency is also linked to losing muscle mass.
Dizziness: Unexpected dizzy spells may occur due to the hormonal changes taking place in the body. This is because hormone fluctuations can impact blood sugar levels.
Itchiness: If your skin suddenly feels itchier than usual, that may be due to decreased collagen in your skin. This substance, which is responsible for skin elasticity among many other functions in your body, decreases during menopause. You may lose up to 30% of your skin’s collagen content in the first few years of menopause.
Tingling: While tingling may last only a few minutes, it’s possible to feel this sensation in your body’s extremities. Not surprisingly, this is also connected to your fluctuating estrogen levels during menopause.
Gum issues: Your oral health may be impacted by menopause. Here, fluctuating estrogen levels can cause gum soreness and sensitivity.
Body odor: Since hot flashes and night sweats are two of the most common symptoms of menopause, it only makes sense that you may find yourself having a bit more body odor to deal with.
Allergies: Your hormones and immune system are linked. With your hormones in flux, it’s not uncommon for your immune system to react differently than normal. For instances, you may find yourself sneezing around pollen or suddenly intolerant of a certain food.
Brittle nails: Dehydration, low estrogen levels, and not enough keratin in your system can make your nails weak, brittle, and more prone to breaking. These factors can also impact your hair health.
Chills: Since your body can’t regulate temperature as well during menopause, you may also experience chills along with the usual heat flashes.
Loss of breast fullness: Due to the changes in estrogen and collagen in your body during menopause, you may notice that your breasts might start to sag. Thankfully, AnaOno designs bras to give you support, comfort, and full coverage, no matter your life stage.
Acne: This teenage horror doesn’t end in your 20’s. When estrogen drops, testosterone rises, and this can contribute to the oily skin that creates acne.
Dry skin: Similar to itchy skin, a drop in collagen can keep your skin from feeling as soft as it used to. Grab the hydrating lotion -- there’s a good chance you’ll need more of it during menopause.
Joint pain: General aches and stiffness are another side effect of low estrogen levels in the body. That’s because this hormone plays a key role in keeping inflammation in check. And when inflammation levels rise, so too does the discomfort in your joints.

How Can You Treat The Symptoms Of Menopause?

Not every symptom of menopause can be treated, but there are things you can do to help ease discomfort you may experience. A few ways to alleviate symptoms are:

Lifestyle changes: Adding regular workouts to your routine can help keep your body strong as it undergoes significant changes. Similarly, ensuring you’re getting enough protein, fruits, and vegetables can help support your body as its needs change.
Hormone replacement therapy: If menopause symptoms are getting in the way of your daily life, you may be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT replaces missing hormones and can therefore alleviate many of the menopause symptoms that stem from declining estrogen levels. This type of treatment can come in the form of tablets, a topical gel, or wearable patches.
Herbal supplements and mind practices: Activities such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture can reduce stress and help support healthy sleep. In addition, there are many herbal supplements that may help reduce your symptoms.

Remember: Before embarking on any diet or lifestyle change, it’s important to speak with your doctor. A medical professional can best guide you to the right options for your specific needs.

Premenopausal Breast Cancer: Understanding the Link Between Early Menopause and Breast Cancer

Premenopausal breast cancer, which occurs in women before they reach menopause, presents unique challenges and considerations. While breast cancer is more commonly diagnosed in postmenopausal women, younger women are not immune, and their experience with the disease can differ in significant ways. Here’s what women should know about premenopausal breast cancer.

1. Prevalence and Risk Factors

Breast cancer is less common in younger women, but it can be more aggressive when it does occur. About 10-15% of breast cancer cases in the U.S. are diagnosed in women under the age of 45. Risk factors for premenopausal breast cancer include:

Family History: A family history of breast or ovarian cancer, especially in close relatives like a mother, sister, or daughter, can increase one’s risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
Genetic Mutations: Inherited mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 significantly raise the risk of developing breast cancer at a younger age and during the early menopause stage.
Reproductive Factors: Early menstruation (before age 12), late pregnancy (after age 30), and not having children can slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.
Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity can also contribute to the risk of developing breast cancer before menopause.

2. Symptoms to Watch For

Women of all ages should be aware of the symptoms of premenopausal breast cancer, but younger women might not always recognize the signs as early, thinking they are less at risk. Key symptoms include:

A lump in the breast or underarm
Changes in breast size or shape
Unexplained pain in the breast
Nipple discharge (other than breast milk), especially if bloody
Skin changes on the breast, such as dimpling or redness

It’s important to perform regular self-exams and report any changes to a healthcare provider, even if they seem minor.

3. Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing breast cancer in premenopausal women can be challenging. Dense breast tissue, which is more common in younger women, can make it harder to detect tumors with mammography. As a result, additional imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, may be necessary.

Treatment options for premenopausal breast cancer typically include a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapies. The choice of treatment depends on the cancer’s stage, hormone receptor status, and other factors.

4. Impact on Fertility and Menstrual Cycle

A major concern for many younger women diagnosed with premenopausal breast cancer is its impact on fertility. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy can affect ovarian function, potentially leading to temporary or permanent infertility. Women who wish to have children in the future should discuss fertility preservation options, such as egg or embryo freezing, with their healthcare team before starting treatment.

Additionally, some treatments can even induce early menopause, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, which can be particularly challenging for younger women.

5. Psychological and Emotional Considerations

The psychological impact of a breast cancer diagnosis can be profound, especially for younger women who may be juggling careers, relationships, and family planning. Feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation are common. It’s crucial to seek support from mental health professionals, support groups, or counseling services. Connecting with other young survivors can also provide comfort and practical advice.

6. Importance of Follow-Up Care

Even after successful treatment, premenopausal women need regular follow-up care to monitor for recurrence and manage any long-term side effects of treatment. This may include regular physical exams, imaging tests, and discussions about managing any ongoing health issues related to treatment.

Support At Every Stage Of Life

If there’s one thing that we can guarantee in life, it’s change. In the cases of menopause, post-menopause, or even premenopausal breast cancer, it’s all about that change: different hormone levels, along with changes in breast shape and size, skin elasticity, and even your taste, these things can all be altered by menopause. But as these changes come your way, you can prepare by researching your symptom management options and talking to your doctor about the best way to ride out “the change” in comfort.

And as always, AnaOno will be here by your side to help make your journey as comfortable as possible with our complete line of ultra-comfy bras. So, whether you’re looking for a perfect solution to help support your breast changes during menopause or you need bras to help you navigate your breast cancer journey, we can help ensure that you’re always comfortable, supported, and confident.