Description

Fibrocystic breasts are composed of tissue that feels lumpy or ropelike in the texture. Doctors call this nodular or glandular breast tissue.

It is not uncommon to have breasts fibrocystic or experience fibrocystic breast changes. In fact, medical professionals have stopped using the term "fibrocystic breast disease" and now simply refer to "fibrocystic breasts" or "fibrocystic breast changes" because you have breasts fibrocystic is not a disease. Changes in the breasts that fluctuates with the menstrual cycle and has a ropelike textured is considered normal.

Fibrocystic breast changes do not always cause symptoms. Some people experience pain in the breasts, tenderness and lumps — especially at the top, on the outside of the area of the breasts. Breast symptoms tend to be more annoying, just prior to menstruation and get better after. Simple self-care measures can generally help to relieve the discomfort associated with fibrocystic breasts.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of breast fibrocystic may include:

  • Breast lumps or areas of thickening that tend to blend into the surrounding breast tissue
  • Generalized chest pain or tenderness or discomfort involving the upper outer part of the breast
  • Breast nodules or lumps of tissue change in size with the menstrual cycle
  • Green or dark brown, nonbloody discharge from the nipple, which tends to leak without pressure or pressure
  • Changes in the breasts that are similar in both breasts.
  • Monthly increase in chest pain or lumps of midcycle (ovulation) just before your period, and then it gets better once you start the period of his

Fibrocystic breast changes occur most often between 30 and 50 years of age. These changes happen very rarely after the menopause, unless you are taking hormone replacement medicine, such as estrogen or progesterone.

When to see a doctor

The majority of fibrocystic breast changes are normal. However, to make an appointment with your doctor if:

  • Find a new or persistent breast lump or area of prominent or thickening of the firmness of the breast tissue
  • You have specific areas of ongoing or worsening pain in the breasts
  • Breast changes persist after your period
  • Your doctor assessed a lump in the breast, but now it seems to be larger or otherwise changed

Causes

The exact cause of fibrocystic breast changes is not known, but experts suspect that reproductive hormones — especially estrogen plays an important role.

The fluctuation of hormone levels during the menstrual cycle can cause discomfort in the breasts and the areas of lumps of tissue in the breast that feel tender, sore and swelling. Fibrocystic breast changes are likely to be more pesky before your menstrual period and ease up after your period.

When examined under a microscope, fibrocystic breast tissue includes various components, such as:

  • Fluid-filled round or oval sacs (cysts).
  • A prominence of the scar-like fibrous tissue (fibrosis)
  • The excessive growth of cells (hyperplasia) of the lining of the milk ducts or the milk, the production of tissue (lobules) of the breast
  • Enlargement of the sinuses of the lobes (adenosis)

Complications

Having breast fibrocystic, does not increase the risk of breast cancer.

Diagnosis

Tests to evaluate your condition may include:

  • Clinical examination of the mama.Su doctor feels (palpates) your breasts and the lymph nodes located in the lower part of the neck and the armpit area check of unusual breast tissue. If the breast exam, along with your medical history — suggests that you have a normal breast changes, you may not need additional tests. But if your doctor finds a new lump or suspicious breast tissue, you may need to return a couple of weeks later, after your period, for another clinical examination of the breast. If the changes persist or examination of the breasts is relative, you may need additional testing, such as a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound.
  • Mammogram. If your doctor detects a lump in the breast or prominent thickening in the breast tissue, you will need a diagnostic mammogram — an X-ray examination that focuses on a specific area of concern in her womb. The radiologist examines in detail the area of concern in the interpretation of the mammogram.
  • Ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of your breasts, and is often performed along with a screening mammogram. If you are under 30 years of age, you may have an ultrasound instead of a mammogram. The ultrasound is better for the evaluation of a younger woman's breast tissue, dense tissue tightened with lobules, ducts and connective tissue (stroma). Ultrasound can also help your doctor distinguish between fluid-filled cysts and solid masses.
  • Fine-needle aspiration. For a lump in the breast, that feels a lot like a cyst, your doctor may try to fine needle aspiration to see if the fluid can be removed from the bump. This useful procedure can be performed in the office. A fine-needle aspiration may collapse the cyst and resolve the discomfort.
  • Breast biopsy.If a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound are normal, but your doctor still has concerns about a lump in the breast, you may be referred to a surgeon breast to determine if you need surgery breast biopsy. A breast biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of breast tissue for microscopic analysis. If a suspicious area is detected during an imaging examination, the radiologist may recommend a guided breast biopsy or a sterotactic biopsy, which uses mammography to identify the exact location of the biopsy.

Clinical examination of the breast. Your doctor feels (palpates) your breasts and the lymph nodes located in the lower part of the neck and the armpit area check of unusual breast tissue. If the breast exam, along with your medical history — suggests that you have a normal breast changes, you may not need additional tests.

But if your doctor finds a new lump or suspicious breast tissue, you may need to return a couple of weeks later, after your period, for another clinical examination of the breast. If the changes persist or examination of the breasts is relative, you may need additional testing, such as a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound.

Breast biopsy. If a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound are normal, but your doctor still has concerns about a lump in the breast, you may be referred to a surgeon breast to determine if you need surgery breast biopsy.

A breast biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of breast tissue for microscopic analysis. If a suspicious area is detected during an imaging examination, the radiologist may recommend a guided breast biopsy or a sterotactic biopsy, which uses mammography to identify the exact location of the biopsy.

It is important to report any new or persistent, changes in the breasts to your doctor, even if you have had normal results from a mammogram in the last year. You may need a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound to assess the changes.

Treatment

If you experience no symptoms, or their symptoms are mild, treatment is not necessary for fibrocystic breasts. Severe pain, or a large, painful cysts that are associated with breast fibrocystic can justify the treatment.

Treatment options for breast cysts include:

  • Fine-needle aspiration. Your doctor uses a hair-thin needle to drain the fluid from the cyst. The extraction of liquid confirms that the lump is a cyst of the breast and, in effect, collapses, for the relief of discomfort associated with it.
  • The surgical excision. Rarely, surgery may be needed to remove a persistent cyst-like lump that does not resolve after repeated aspiration and careful monitoring, or has characteristics that concern your doctor for a clinical examination.

Examples of treatment options for breast pain include:

  • Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nsaids) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or prescription medication
  • Oral contraceptives, which lowers the levels of cycle-related hormones linked to fibrocystic breast changes

Lifestyle and home remedies

You can find the relief of the symptoms of breast fibrocystic through one of these home remedies:

  • Use a firm support bra, fitted by a professional, if possible.
  • To use a sports bra during exercise and during sleep, especially when your breasts are much more sensitive.
  • Limit or avoid the consumption of caffeine, a change of diet, many people report as a useful, although medical studies of caffeine's effect on the chest pain and other premenstrual symptoms have been inconclusive.
  • Eat less fat , which may reduce the chest pain or discomfort associated with fibrocystic breasts.
  • Reduce or stop taking hormonal therapy if you are post-menopausal — but be sure to talk with your doctor before making any changes on your prescription medications.
  • Use a heating pad or a hot-water bottle to ease your discomfort.

Alternative medicine

Vitamins and dietary supplements can reduce pain in the breasts of the symptoms and the severity of some people. Ask your doctor if any of these can help you — and ask about the dose and the possible side effects:

  • Evening primrose oil. This supplement can change the balance of fatty acids in cells, which can reduce the pain in the breasts.
  • The vitamin E. the First studies showed a possible beneficial effect of vitamin E in breast pain in people who suffer from breast pain that fluctuates during the menstrual cycle. In one study, 200 international units (IU) of vitamin E twice a day for two months to improve symptoms. There was no additional benefit after four months. For persons over 18 years of age, pregnant and breastfeeding, the maximum dose of vitamin E is 1,000 milligrams per day (or 1,500 IU).

The vitamin E. the First studies showed a possible beneficial effect of vitamin E in breast pain in people who suffer from breast pain that fluctuates during the menstrual cycle. In one study, 200 international units (IU) of vitamin E twice a day for two months to improve symptoms. There was no additional benefit after four months.

For persons over 18 years of age, pregnant and breastfeeding, the maximum dose of vitamin E is 1,000 milligrams per day (or 1,500 IU ).

If you try a supplement for breast pain, stop taking if you do not notice any improvement in your chest the pain after a couple of months. Try to have only one supplement at a time, so that you can clearly determine which one helps to relieve the pain or not.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your family doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. In some cases, is based on a clinical breast exam or results in a test image, you may be referred to a breast-health specialist.

The initial evaluation focuses on the clinical history. Your health care provider will want to discuss your symptoms, your relationship with the menstrual cycle, and any other relevant information.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list of:

  • All of your symptoms, even if it seems not to be related to the reason for your appointment
  • Key personal information, including the dates and results of any mammograms before
  • All the drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements that you take
  • Questions to ask your doctor, listed from most important to least important in case time runs out

Basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is the cause of my symptoms?
  • Does my condition increasing my risk of breast cancer?
  • What kind of proof do you need?
  • What treatment is likely to work better?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • Are there any restrictions I'm going to have to follow?
  • Is there any printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask any questions at any time you do not understand something.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you questions, such as:

  • What are your symptoms and how long have you had them?
  • Do you experience any pain in the breasts? If so, what is the severity of your pain?
  • What are your symptoms occur in one or both breasts?
  • When you had your last mammogram?
  • Have you ever had breast cancer or pre-cancerous lesions of the breast?
  • Do you have a family history of cancer?
Symptoms and treatment of breast Fibrocystic