As a woman ages, her breasts normally change in certain ways.

What is the information for this topic?

As a woman gets beyond menopause, her breasts begin to change. These changes are associated with lower levels of the female hormone estrogen and may include:

Since the sagging of the breasts is a normal part of aging, there are no exercises that can prevent the change. Exercise that results in weight loss will reduce breast size, and weight gain will cause breast enlargement.

Other changes in the breast may be abnormal. The risk of breast cancer rises with age. When caught early, breast cancer often responds to treatment. A woman should do a breast self-examination once a month. Self-exams help a woman learn how her breasts normally feel. Any lumps or changes should be reported to a healthcare provider.

A woman should discuss the best schedule of mammograms, or breast X-rays, with her healthcare provider. The best schedule for mammograms is often related to a woman's risk factors for getting breast cancer. For example, if breast cancer runs in the family, earlier and more frequent mammograms may be advised. A woman who takes hormone replacement therapy, which includes estrogen, will increase her risk of breast cancer.