What are Fibrocystic Breasts?

Many women have breasts that feel lumpy, thick, and tender, especially right before their periods. They may also be called cyclic breast changes, because they come and go with your menstrual cycle. More than half of women develop fibrocystic breast at some point in their lives. Fibrocystic breasts are composed of tissue that feels lumpy or rope like in texture. Breast changes that fluctuate with the menstrual cycle and have a rope like texture are considered normal. Fibrocystic breast changes are normal and harmless but may be bothersome or uncomfortable for some women.

 

Who suffers?

Fibrocystic breast changes occur most often between 20 and 50 years of age. It affects an estimated 50% of women between the ages of 20 and 50. These changes happen rarely after menopause unless you’re taking hormone replacement medicine such as estrogen or progesterone.

Reasons of Fibrocystic breasts

 Fibrocystic breast changes occur when thickening of breast tissue (fibrosis) and fluid-filled cysts develop in one or both breasts. The exact cause of fibrocystic breast changes isn’t known, but experts suspect that reproductive hormones, especially estrogen — play a role. This may make your breasts feel swollen, lumpy, or painful before or during your period each month.

Fluctuating hormone levels during the menstrual cycle can cause breast discomfort and areas of lumpy breast tissue that feel tender, sore and swollen. Fibrocystic breast changes tend to be more bothersome before your menstrual period and ease up after your period begins.

Symptoms

•       1.Symptoms include a change in breast texture, pain, tenderness and lumpiness. 
•       2.Fibrocystic breast condition causes lumpiness or thickening that tend to blend into the surrounding breast tissue
•       3.It can happen in one or both breasts & breast nodules or lumpy tissue change in size with the menstrual cycle.
•       4.Generalized breast pain or tenderness or discomfort that involves the upper outer part of the breast
•       5.Green or dark brown non bloody nipple discharge that tends to leak without pressure or squeezing
•       6.Fibrocystic breast changes don’t always cause symptoms. Some people experience breast pain, tenderness and lumpiness —              especially in the upper, outer area of the breasts. Breast symptoms tend to be most bothersome just before menstruation and              get better afterward.

Risk factors

Fibrocystic breast changes aren’t harmful. And your chances of getting cancer don’t increase because you have them. But it can make it tricky to feel for new lumps or changes in your breasts when you do self-exams. Make an appointment with your doctor if You find a new or persistent breast lump or area of prominent thickening or firmness of the breast tissue or you have specific areas of continuous or worsening breast pain.

Precautions

To try to help prevent fibrocystic breast changes, some providers advise avoiding food and beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate.

Exercise can also help increase lean body mass and reduce body fat, which may help reduce the risk of fibrocystic breast changes, according to a 2018 study carried out in Taiwan.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables was associated with a reduced risk of proliferative fibrocystic breast conditions. 

Simple heat compress is the most recommended and effective home measure to drain or shrink cysts.

Treatments

A person may not need treatment if fibrocystic breast changes cause only mild discomfort. However, options are available to help manage pain.

1. Oral contraceptive pills- decrease the hormonal swings.
2. Decreasing caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate)
3. Evening Primrose Oil – changes the balance of fatty acids and decreases breast pain.
4. Iodine- acts as an antioxidant to the breasts and decreases cystic formation by affecting estrogen metabolism.
5. Vitamin E is one of the most common supplements for breast fibrocystic mastalgia. Since it has fewer side effects compared to hormonal therapy, vitamin E has been usually used as a safe treatment for cyclic mastalgia.
6. Massaging breast regularly with lotions or creams that contains vitamin E, olive oil, almond oil etc may help in proper blood circulation and thus helps reducing the pain or tenderness.
7. Hormone therapy may balance hormone levels and help reduce breast pain
8. A well-fitted, supportive bra will not resolve fibrous tissue, but it may help decrease discomfort. According to one article, 85% of people find that wearing a well-fitting bra can reduce pain within 3 months.

Why regular massage with MGmeowgirl Breast firming lotion can be helpful?

Regular massage helps in improving blood circulation and thus helps in tenderness of muscles and reduces the pain.

MGmeowgirl Breast firming lotion is packed with naturals like Olive oil, Vitamin E, almond oil etc that are very effective supplements for breast fibrocystic mastalgia & has no side effects and thus safe.

Do you know?

Fibrocystic breast changes are not harmful but often mistaken by breast cancer or vice- versa. So, it is important to examine breast by your consultant in every six months instead of self- examine.