I have had discomfort in my left breast, on the outside and to the front of my underarm. The right one has nothing. I have had a mammogram and a breast exam. They said that it is down to the menopause. Is this true?

Breast pain is very common during the menopause and is often caused by fluctuating oestrogen.

As long as you are not on any other hormonal contraception/medication you could try Menopause Support. This is traditionally used to help gently raise/balance oestrogen levels and may reduce symptoms.

Kelp can often help as well.

Dehydration and constipation can be contributory factors so do make sure that you are drinking plenty of plain water every day - tea, coffee, or fizzy/sugary drinks can make symptoms worse so best avoided!

Have you had yourself measured properly for bra size? In and after the menopause breast tissue, size and shape can change quite dramatically and an ill fitting bra, especially if you wear under-wired ones, can cause breast pain too!

Most big department stores offer a free service so it would be worth checking out

Eileen Durward