Betsy Wall raised an issue I have observed as well. In a small grpu of mothers I have seen with what I call (for lack of any other descriptor) Reynaud's of the breast, I have noted that in nearly all cases, the pain subsides or disappears when these mothers start cycling again (estrogens are higher). They also are able to pump without pain when breastfeeding becomes agony for them. (I suspect it is because the pump does not generate hormonal responses as significant as does the baby). Anyway, I would love to know about estrogen creams that could be used on the breast, but have never recommended them because of fears re: their effecton baby who would "eat" them off the breast. Docs out there and Pharmacist: your comments please? Def. of LC service: "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC - [log in to unmask]