During perimenopause and menopause, you may experience discomfort in your breasts, such as aching, heaviness or a stabbing or burning pain on one or both sides, which can be both confusing and frustrating.

Breast pain in perimenopause and menopause can feel more intense than the discomfort experienced in the run up to a normal period due to big fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone levels.

To manage breast pain, you should get your bra size measured to accommodate any change in shape or size, try applying heat pads or a warm wheat pag to reduce swelling or soreness, and increase your intake of vitamin B and E to help with muscle and nerve function.

Breast pain isn't normally a symptom of a serious problem like breast cancer, but if you have any concerns speak to your doctor. If you're over 50, you should have a mammogram every three years, and at any age, you should be doing regular breast checks for any abnormalities