Breast cysts in perimenopause? Reassurance/calming thoughts this way pls

[SilkieChick]

So I went to the GP this morning for a check as I moved up to 100mg patches three months ago. I mentioned the occasional mild breast pain I was getting on one side, she did an examination. I was expecting all of this - until she pressed down on that side and it was actually pretty uncomfortable. She was very clear to say she hadn't found anything that gave her real concern, but she's referring me to the breast clinic because of the 'lumpiness' she felt there, to be cautious.

Looking into it, breast cysts are apparently very common in women of my age and stage. MN seems to be full of lumpy-breasted women and I feel fairly sure this has got to be the latest in a long list of peri symptoms (I'm 46 and been peri for about 2-3 years, on HRT for 1.5)... but of course there's a small part of me that wants to panic. We've had a horrible time of it in the past few years with bereavements and work stresses. I don't want to assume this is the latest in a series of difficult life experiences which seems to be coming our way...but what if it is?

I know no-one can tell me what this is or is not, but I need to put this down here and process it so I can stay calm! But if anyone has had a similar experience or can provide reassuring thoughts I'd be glad to hear them 🙏🏻

I had this happen earlier this year. I found some lumps and was referred to the breast clinic. They were cysts and the consultant told me it's common with HRT. They drained them on the same day at the clinic. Hope you get your appointment soon so you can hopefully put your mind at rest.

Thanks @Misstabithabean, I hope so too. I feel a bit calmer now, I'm going to try my best to assume that's what's going on unless I'm told different.

I have literally just been to the breast clinic for the same thing this morning. I found a lump 2 weeks ago which was quite uncomfortable and it turned out to be 2 cysts. They were drained there and then at the clinic. The consultant did say it was very common for women of my age (47) and that there are links with HRT. Hopefully you will get an appointment soon as I know how anxious it can be whilst waiting.

Just to say I had also increased my HRT dosage about 2 months ago.

That's interesting @bluebell181 that's quite similar timing to me. I hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary until starting the new dose. You must have been seen quite quickly then? I hope there's a short waiting time where I am - although the GP did suggest going private if it's a bit of a wait.

I was told I would be seen within 2 weeks with a fast track referral, I was impressed with how quickly the appointment came through. I hope you get seen quickly too @SilkieChick

I’ve just been screened at the breast clinic (last month) as I had breast pain that turned out to be hormonal (and bloody painful!). I didn’t have a cyst that could be drained but it did go away after a few weeks in line with what the consultant said would happen. Hoping you have a similar outcome and don’t have to wait long for the screening.

Thanks @abdnhiker that's reassuring to know too, and I'm glad your issue resolved itself. Funnily enough I feel like that boob has been a bit more painful today, though that may have been all the pressing it got earlier - I'm certainly feeling very 'aware' of it. But I believe (and the dr said this) that pain is not normally an indicator of a more worrying cause, so I'm weirdly taking some comfort from that.

Thanks @bluebell181 glad you were sorted quickly too :)

I am a frequent flyer to the breast clinic and have been referred every year when I find lumps and end up having a cyst drained. Sometimes multiple ones as they find ones which I can’t find!
They say I also have lumpy breasts so difficult to examine. Hopefully they don’t find anything but good to get it checked.

Although I'm sorry you have to do this so frequently @Chocolatelover13 it's really reassuring to know that lots of women have trips to the breast clinic for what seems to be a common issue.

Honestly, no-one tells us how weird our bodies can get, especially in midlife, and how normal it can be to experience stuff like this. I wish I'd known how many people experience lumpiness and cysts and trips to the breast clinic - I think I'd have had a less fearful initial reaction.

I remember the stress when I first found a lump, turned out my breasts are full of cysts! This was before I started on HRT but with the HRT they became bigger and more painful. Eventually I had a couple like tennis balls, you could see them through my clothes and they were incredibly painful. I was taken off HRT completely which meant living with a whole load of other worsening symptoms. However, a couple of months ago I was put on Tibolone (I'm in Australia so not sure if the name would be the same elsewhere) it's a HRT that doesn't effect breast tissue. So far so good, no increase in size or pain from the cysts. I have a mammogram and ultrasound every 2 years to keep an eye on everything (I'm 47).

I’ve often suffered with hormonal breast pain and then started HRT about 6 week ago. OMG. Sore, tender breasts but the pain in one has caused me to take pain meds - unheard of for me. It radiates under my armpit, left hand side and feels like it’s also my rib cage. I had
a breast exam by my GP a couple of years ago who said i didn’t have lumpy breasts but I guess things change and I should get checked.

Have heard the oestrogel can cause it. From one symptom to another…

I know, the first time was terrifying and of course I assumed the worst. I think I have now been 6 years in a row, sometimes 2 trips a year. Never found anything other than a cyst, which is great news. I now have to make sure that I don’t become complacent and that I still go to the doctor if I feel a lump and don’t just assume it’s a cyst.

Fingers crossed for you too.

I got my appointment through - it's in a month's time, end of Nov. I might call and see if can get a cancellation before then (GP suggested this might be possible) but I'm feeling pretty calm about it, thanks to your responses and good wishes on here - so thank you!

How did it go OP?

@Chocolatelover13 very kind of you check :)

The update is that I went to the clinic yesterday and got the all clear. They did a mammogram and an ultrasound - the only 'diagnosis' I was given was that I have a lot of breast tissue! I was sure they'd find a cyst or something - when the doctor was doing the manual exam there was a very noticeably tender lumpy bit on the left side - and it's still quite sore today, but that may be from all the poking and prodding yesterday.

I'm certainly relieved, and glad to have had it all checked. I guess now I'm having a think about whether reducing my dose of HRT might help reduce this symptom too, so that might be my next step to try and sort the issue.

Thanks to everyone who posted above - it was really reassuring and it meant I didn't spend the past month in a cold sweat, thankfully.

I had these quite a few times and several fine needle aspirations - the relief is immense.

Im the other side of menopause. Not on HRT and I haven't had one for a few years

@Berthatydfil how is it on the other side, if you don't mind me asking?! If you had any other symptoms, have they tailed off too?

I feel like I'm in the middle of the hormone storm at the moment and it seems never-ending... so I'm looking for hope!

I had the menopause rage hot flushes and the heavy periods. I’m calmer now and my periods stopped about 5 years ago.

My breasts were very “lumpy” and I think the cysts built up over time until the cysts got too big and painful.
One doctor did the needle aspiration by feel and another time by ultrasound - that showed I had a couple and the volume of fluid that came out omg!