Sore red erect nipples; I am post menopausal; what could thi

I'm 48 and my menopause has just started to make itself known over the last couple of months.  I'm not on prescription HRT but am taking natural a plant oestrogen supplement. Sore nips? You betcha! Yesterday, my poor husband nearly got punched for giving one of them the affectionate, gentle tweak he's been doing for the last 25 years o.O. Yet another chance to say, "it's my age"!

I just think it's pretty pathetic that no one in research cares enough about this to figure it out!

I just turned 49 in February, 5 years since last period, this last week breast and nipples have become sore as well. Was looking for a reason too. Is this something we never hear about from our mothers because it is just another natural thing we go through? 

I'm 46 and having the same issues. I'm so glad to know it's not just me. I had a hysterectomy in 2009 but still have my ovaries. I'm pretty sure my body preparing for menopause. 

Did anyone have bleeding in addition to soreness?  Are you having symptoms in one or both breasts?

I am 55, and 7 years postmenopausal, AND had a TOTAL abdominal hysterectomy last May (2012). a couple of weeks ago, my right nipple became sore,  red and erect. I thought it was because of an insult it had sustained. Now my left nipple is experiencing the same thing, only worse! My whole breast is tender,and I can't stand to touch my nipple at all. No answers...

I am 54,post menopausal for 1 year now. I started out having night sweets really bad for the pasted 8 months. I went to my doctor and he gave me sleeping pills as I was waking every 15 mins to either take blankets off or put them back on. Then about 3 months ago the sweets let up and the sore nipples have started. Trade one thing for another I guess. I have to agree with one other reply...you would think they would have found something for this torment in this stage of our life.  

I'm constantly trying something to alleviate my problems. I've completely given up caffeine for over 3 weeks now & some of the breast pain is better though not completely. I still have the nipple pain & burning so now I'm using anti-fungal cream on them to see if maybe I have some yeast that would cause the symptoms. I did use the Lymphomyosot homeopathic which didn't help me though I can see why it would if your problem is lymphatic. One good thing that's come out of giving up caffeine is that my cravings for a Coke every day is gone. You'd think I would lose some weight out of that but no such luck. I guess we have to keep on it & find our own answers so keep the info. coming in on anything that can possibly help!

This is really interesting, I too am a 52 year old woman (crazy to see that number in black and white) anyways, I too just recently have had the erect, painful nipples and in general tender breasts. I just had my yearly mammogram and all came back fine, as a matter of fact the radiologist said all looked really good! I have been trying myself to figure out if this is normal and from all I read above it does sound pretty normal for menopause. I just recently have began this new transition, I don't experience the hot flashes, or mood swings, or weight gain, but my breast seem to be taking a hit. Has anyone found out anything about relieving the pain and if this is something to look into in. My father is a retired OB/GYN and I have asked him if this is normal and he said yes. I haven't had a full blown period for over 4 months, just a little spotting here and there. Please let us know if anyone has an answer for this. It is embarassing at times, I'm a yoga teacher and I'm now more conscious what I wear when I teach b/c it seems like my nipples are in a constant state of high beams!! Oh the joys of being a woman! However I would never trade it for anything!!

I'm 50 with the same symptoms.  It  has been 2 weeks now since they became erect and sore. Thought I was going nuts. No possible answers?  I don't think this is diet related...but good to know I'm not alone either.  :/

Doesn't the alcohol burn???

Id like to see ur nipples but they might just be dehydrated its very uncommon but it happens u know lol

To misskittyk, my mother is a nurse and talked to her about ur nips and she said sounds like friction burns from a bra or if u sleep naked friction burns from the bed sheets and to put calimine lotion or aloe vera lotion on it/them

Hi !  About a month ago my right breast , mostly nipple area was so tender and painful ..thought it was my bra ..then when getting out of my car my pocket book hit my breast and the pain was excruciating. I put a heating pad on it set to (high) and then fell asleep ..the next morning my breast was reddened and my nipple seemed flatter ..  the area around it seemed hard and would contract and feel hard and bumpy, but my nipple didn't look like the other .. eventually pain went away and I continued to wear the same bra ... last night pain again so this time I used a cool compress .. nipple area is still hard er than normal and nipple itself has not returned to normal .. while laying in bed last night I could feel it contracting and it was somewhat painful .. this morning it felt warm to touch and the area around my nipple is still harder than normal .. I am going to be 51 soon and stopped periods many months ago. Is this part of menopause and could the heating pad cause damage to that nipple ?

I will be 54 and just started have tender nipples, the same as what i have been reading about. My sister- in-law started me thinking I was pregnant at this age LOL. I will most likely make a Dr. appointment just for a piece of mind that all is normal! Glad I'm not alone!