Anyone with recurrent breast cysts on hormone therapy?

Posted by layla97 @layla97, Aug 6, 2024

Does your hormone therapy (estrogen or testosterone) contribute to breast cysts?
My total hysterectomy took place at 43 years old. I was initially placed on Estratest HS and did not correlate my recurrent breast cysts with hormone replacement. I was switched to an estrogen patch alone and realized I felt so much better with some testosterone (slept better, had more energy, and better overall well-being). I used a minuscule amount of testosterone cream (from the doc I work with) and lo and behold, several weeks into initiation of the cream I developed large cysts that required aspiration. I discontinued. As an NP, I know testosterone aromatizes to estrogen.
Fast forward, I am now 72, slim and healthy still on estrogen patch 0.075mg 2x/wk. Recently my gyn recommended Estrace vaginal cream .5mg 2x/wk for atrophy and urinary symptoms. Several weeks into this therapy my breasts became sore, so I backed off to once a week. Now have multi cysts in both breast and huge cyst growing larger and more tender by the week in one breast that has shrunk in size from clindamycin and today having an eval with a breast surgeon. I have discontinued the vaginal estrogen cream for now.
I do not consume meat and consume soy products at least twice a week. I am not sure if soy is still considered a culprit for breast symptoms they way it was over 20 years ago.
Any input would be appreciated.

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