A 55-year-old postmenopausal woman is being seen in the clinic for her annual examination. She is concerned about changes in her breasts that she has noticed over the past 5 years. She states that her breasts have decreased in size and that the elasticity has changed so that her breasts seem "flat and flabby." Which is the best reply by the nurse?

A) "This change occurs most often because of long-term use of bras that do not provide enough support to the breast tissues."
B) "Decreases in hormones after menopause causes atrophy of the glandular tissue in the breast and is a normal process of aging."
C) "This is a normal change that occurs as women get older and is due to the increased levels of progesterone during the aging process."
D) "Postural changes in the spine make it appear that your breasts have changed in shape. Exercises to strengthen the muscles of the upper back and chest wall will help prevent the changes in elasticity and size."

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Zybrea Knight · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  The hormonal changes of menopause cause the breast glandular tissue to atrophy, making the breasts more pendulous, flattened, and sagging. This change in the breasts is not due to long-term use of unsupportive bras, increased levels of progesterone with aging, or postural changes in the spine. Rather, the hormonal changes of menopause cause the breast glandular tissue to atrophy, making the breasts more pendulous, flattened, and sagging.

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