I just turned 41 this last March, and my periods have been fairly light (3 days... With the usual Horrible Cramps, Tiredness, Sadness, Irritability, Cravings etc. forever now.) I just got over my last cycle about a week ago, and it was completely different this time. I had a heavy flow for 5 days, and spotted for like 3 days afterwards!!! The usual Breast Tenderness, Tired, Extremely Irritable this time, Bad Cramps, etc... I am now suffering from MAJOR Breast Tenderness on Both Sides, mainly on the sides where the top of my arms hit. I am so completely swollen on both sides here, that it actually feels and looks like I just had Breast Enhancement surgery... I am quite Busty anyway, so this isn't real welcoming!!! My Nipples are enlarged and just as painful as well!!! I've never been pregnant, and there is absolutely no chance that I am now. I've been completely Exhausted, and having major cravings for such unusual random things... Once Again... 100% sure that there is no Pregnancy!!! Where I am swollen, it's extremely firm and Lumpy!!!! This last period was so unusual this time, I'm wondering if I'm beginning Pre-Menopause, and what I should be expecting, and how to calm my Breasts down??? My Mom doesn't really remember going through anything like this while experiencing Menopause, so I'm glad that I located this Forum!!! I would appreciate any advice and Tips that you all may have.... Thank You!!!!

My gosh. I thought I was the only one in the world, and here you all are! I'm 55. I had an hysterectomy when I was 41 and my ovaries removed at 43. I have been on estrogen only HRT since I was 44 with no issues. I had a normal mammogram six months ago. I started taking methotrexate for arthritis six months ago and my extremely sore and swollen breasts seemed to start when I moved to the higher doses of that drug. I even had some evidence of lactation from my right breast. My GP ordered hormone tests and they all came back in the normal range except SHBG which is a protein that binds to sex hormones to carry them around in the blood stream. I also had a mammogram which showed enlarged ducts with some debris. (My boobs are trashed after breast-feeding five kids but nothing they did is anything on this pain and tenderness.) I missed a couple of doses of methotrexate (taken weekly) and my breast pain seemed to start to diminish. I also stopped my HRT because I was so desperate for some relief. After a month, the pain has substantially subsided but I still have a residual tingly burn and they haven decreased much in size. I am yet to have repeat hormone tests or a repeat mammogram. I will try the flaxseed recommended above and post anything else that changes.

When my mom had radiation and chemo, they suggested Biotene mouthwash. It's very soothing and is alcohol free. They said many patients use it. I started using it because I'm prone to dry mouth and I love it. I can get it at WalMart. Also, there's a lotion called Caren that is really good for dry skin. It's made by a woman named Caren Singer who had treatments for breast cancer that left her with very dry skin, so she developed her own lotions. I also use this because the first ingredient is Aloe and that's hard to find. There's no mineral oil in it either. It's $32 for 32 oz., but some of that goes to her foundation for breast cancer research. More info at her website...carenproducts.com Of the two, I'd recommend that she try the Biotene for sure. I think it would really help. Leslie/KS

I am 39 and have been experiencing symptoms for 2.5 years-(early menopause :(). My menopause symptoms are what I would describe as quiet severe. Heart palpitations, anxiety, numbness and tingling, breathlessness, loss of libido, forgetfulness, sore joints, chest pain, and the list goes on... After 6 weeks I am feeling sooo good, yes the occasional hot flush but nearly 90% back to the old me!! My doctor has prescribed bio-identical hormones (plant extract hormones-in a cream form) and I am seeing a herbalist.. and the difference is amazing! oh and taking vitamin b and magnesium. With no previous history of anxiety or mental illness I thought I was going crazy rocking up to my doctor with sooo many different symptoms, so much so I thought I was going crazy.... Anyway, I started seeing a difference after 3 weeks...and now 6 weeks down the track, I cant believe how good I am feeling...the old me! Anyway just thought I would share...hoping it may help others. :)