Many women experience fibrocystic breasts periodically throughout their menstruate years. This health condition causes breast pain, lumps and swelling to occur because of tissue changes. And these changes are likely because of menstrual cycle hormone fluctuation, particularly estrogen.
Fibrocystic breasts are very common and normal, with most experiencing pain, lumps and swelling in both breasts just before the start of menstruation. Some only experience symptoms periodically, while others will have changes every cycle.
Other symptoms that can be caused by fibrocystic breasts are:
- breast cysts
- nipple discharge
- fluctuating breast size
Post menopause, fibrocystic breast discomfort tends to stop, unless you take hormone replacement. And taking birth control pills can reduce the intensity of breast pain, lumps and swelling symptoms.
Having fibrocystic breasts will not cause an increase in your risk of breast cancer. However, your breast pain, lumps and swelling changes may make it more difficult to do your self exam and mammogram for the early discovery of this cancer.
If your breast pain, lumps and swelling changes causes severe discomfort, then here are a couple of treatment options for your fibrocystic breasts:
- use heating pad on breasts
- wear a firm fitting support bra
- oral contraceptives ~ lowers hormone levels
- OTC pain relievers ~ acetaminophen, ibuprofen
- danazol ~ causes excess body hair & acne drug side effects
There’s no evidence that cutting back on your consumption of fat, caffeine or chocolate reduces breast changes. Yet it may work for you, so give this fibrocystic breasts treatment a go.
