MissConstrue

Hey post #menopause friends; have you done #HRT? Did your boobs hurt when you first started? I know it can be a side effect, but I didn't expect it to kick in within 48 hours, and as I tend to catastrophize if I stay in my own head, I thought I'd ask if other women experienced the same.

(For reference; radical hysterectomy, no ovaries present, .25 Estradiol weekly patch, first application yesterday AM)

Apr 13 at 1:05amWeb
Show threadAnnelies2d ago

@MissConstrue They did not. However, there was a period of two weeks when I had an interruption in medication so that when I resumed taking it I had spotting and breast tenderness for several days. (I still have my uterus and ovaries.)

N=1 but I hope this allays some of your anxiety!

Show threadGranny Art (Shrimp) (Joni)2d ago

@MissConstrue when did you have the hysterectomy?

I am not menopausal yet and only recently experienced boob soreness when I think my body produced more. estrogen.

Do you know about the menopause wiki? https://menopausewiki.ca

The Menopause Wiki

Get comprehensive information on menopause. Stages, symptoms, coping strategies, treatment options, menopause hormone therapy (MHT/HRT), and much more are covered in detail.

Show threadMissConstrue2d ago

@artcollisions in the middle of the pandemic, nov 2020. Not a time I would have chosen to be in a hospital, I can tell you.

At the time, they didn’t offer hrt, because I’d had a dvt after asurgery in 1999. Subsequently a hematologist cleared me and said the surgery related blood clot 25 years ago wasn’t a problem, and the new patches are bio identical, so the risk is much lower for strokes and stuff.

I did not know about the wiki, thank you!

Show threadGranny Art (Shrimp) (Joni)2d ago
@MissConstrue I actually just wrote a zine about HRT. Mine is more geared towards perimenopause since that's where I am, but there is a lot of overlap. Here is a link to the zine. I can't post the resource page here. https://artcollisions.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/hot-take-edited.pdf
Show threadMissConstrue2d ago
@artcollisions 🤘🏼🥰
Show threadGranny Art (Shrimp) (Joni)1d ago
@MissConstrue Oh, also, my NP told me that people notice differences after 2 days, 2 weeks, and 2 mo, so the 48 hours is exactly in that window.
Show threadMissConstrue1d ago

@artcollisions good to know, thank you!

Edit to add, it’s better today. Which is nice.

Show threadOutoftheBlueDD2d ago
@MissConstrue When I used estradiol gel last year, my breasts hurt awfully, not only when touched, but soon all the time. The reason seemed to be that I suddenly had too much estrogen, because my body had decided to produce some on its own after months of obviously not doing so. Perimenopause, so much fun and full of surprises ... 🙄
The pain went when I stopped using estradiol. So I guess its normal when the balance of different hormones isn't quite right?
Show threadMissConstrue2d ago
@OutoftheBlueDD Thanks so much for sharing your data point. It helps!
Show threadKimberly Blessing (she/her)2d ago

@MissConstrue It's good you're asking these questions, and usual disclaimer that I'm not a medical professional.

I had a good deal of breast soreness, although not immediately (or at least not mentioned in my notes from the time). I was on patches at first and had skin irritation from them - when I switched to the gel application, then the soreness started (or was noted).

Everyone reacts differently to the type of application so you may need to experiment? Good luck!

Show threadMissConstrue2d ago
@obiwankimberly Thanks so much for sharing! Every data point is helpful! So far, consensus is that it’s normal, but if problematic or long term, call my provider. I’ve heard from women using all the varieties, so it’s been enormously helpful.
Show threadthe baywindowgirl2d ago
@MissConstrue I’ve been on HRT patches for several years, and from memory, yes they did, and it kicked in fairly quickly.
Show threadMissConstrue2d ago
@thebaywindowgirl Awesome, thanks so much for chiming in. All these data points are so helpful!