Cystic fibrosis mastopathy

Fibrocystic mastopathy (FCM) is a pathological condition of the mammary glands, accompanied by the appearance of seals and cysts of various sizes and shapes. This is a fairly common disease among women of reproductive age, at least half of the female population suffers from it. The disease responds well to treatment in the early stages: it is better to undergo all therapeutic procedures in advance, without waiting for the development of adverse effects.

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Causes cystic fibrosis mastopathy

The main reason for the development of fibrocystic mastopathy is hormonal destabilization in the body: the leading role in the process is played by the hormones progesterone and estradiol. The factors that determine the hormonal imbalance may be the following:

• early puberty. Rapid renewal of hormonal levels does not allow the body to quickly adapt to changes, which is reflected in the tissue structure of the mammary glands;
• late menopause. The decisive role is played by the long-term effect of hormones on the gland tissue;
• no history of pregnancy;
• Frequent forced termination of pregnancies (more than two times) provokes a sharp rise and fall in hormonal activity;
• absence or extremely short lactation period;
• constant or frequently recurring stress;
• age period from 40 years;
• metabolic disorders – obesity, diabetes, endemic goiter;
• liver dysfunction;
• endocrine system disorders: hypo- or hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis;
• diseases of the genitourinary system, reproductive dysfunction;
• uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs, including contraceptives.

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Symptoms cystic fibrosis mastopathy

Initially, fibrocystic mastopathy was not defined as a condition predisposing to breast cancer. However, recent scientific studies have shown that mastopathy should be considered as a precancerous condition that, under certain circumstances, can transform into a malignant tumor.

The probability of developing breast cancer as a consequence of FCM depends on many factors, such as the total duration of the disease, its stage, intensity and brightness of manifestations. The presence of multiple and large cysts, fibroadenoma, adenosis, hyperplasia and proliferative mastopathy in the anamnesis increases the risk of developing cancer by 2-4 times.

Although fibrocystic mastopathy is considered a benign disease, in some cases it is an intermediate process in the formation of a malignant tumor. That is why the medical examination of patients with treated FCM and long-term monitoring of their condition is an important link in the prevention of breast cancer.

The clinical symptoms of fibrocystic mastopathy are determined by painful sensations, compaction of the mammary gland and the appearance of discharge from the milk ducts. By palpation, one can feel small- and large-grained formations, dense areas of mammary gland tissue. Pain in this disease can appear spontaneously, or only occur when trying to touch: a feeling of slight discomfort can be replaced by sharp severe pain even from a slight touch.

Pain in the mammary gland may be accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, puffiness, compression, and sometimes radiates to the shoulder joint or armpit area.

Often patients note the appearance of secretion from the milk ducts: the secreted fluid resembles colostrum, or may be slightly yellow or greenish in color.

The initial symptoms of fibrocystic mastopathy may be more pronounced with the onset of menstruation or PMS. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced, the pain more noticeable, and tissue compaction may be determined regardless of the cycle period.

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Pain in fibrocystic mastopathy

The presence of pain in fibrocystic mastopathy is a fairly common, but very individual symptom. Dull, aching, shooting, twitching, it can have varying intensity and be accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the mammary glands.

The pain often intensifies before the onset of menstruation (at the same time, hormone levels increase), and may be limited to local manifestations or radiate to the shoulder joint, subscapular and axillary region.

Not all women feel pain with mastopathy: about 10% of patients usually do not observe signs of pain discomfort, and some feel pain only during their critical days. At the same time, the general symptoms of the disease can be absolutely the same. The reason for this phenomenon may be the difference in pressure on the nerve endings and differences in the individual threshold of pain.

Also, pain can be observed not only in the mammary glands, but also in the nearby lymph nodes, which may be slightly enlarged and tense.

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Discharge in fibrocystic mastopathy

Discharge in fibrocystic mastopathy may not be observed in all cases of the disease. This phenomenon is individual: there may be no liquid discharge at all, sometimes it can be quite abundant (often this symptom allows you to independently detect the disease), or occur only with slight compression of the areola. Discharge usually does not have a specific odor, their color varies from transparent, light, whitish to yellowish and greenish. Sometimes their appearance resembles colostrum (a secretion of the mammary glands, secreted in the last days of pregnancy and in the first days after childbirth).

In some cases, the discharge may acquire a brownish or bloody hue: this is a rather ominous symptom that requires mandatory medical examination. Bloody discharge from the milk ducts may be a sign of a malignant process in the mammary glands, destruction of the capillary blood supply system and damage to the walls of the ducts.

In principle, any detected discharge from the nipples requires consultation with a specialist, and this especially applies to discharge mixed with blood.

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Pregnancy and fibrocystic breast disease

Pregnancy with fibrocystic mastopathy is not only possible, but also desirable. Everyone knows that during the period of bearing a child, a significant restructuring of the hormonal status in the woman's body occurs. This can serve as an impetus for further stabilization of hormone levels and the cessation of the development of the disease. For this reason, many gynecologists strongly recommend that women become pregnant, boldly bear and subsequently breastfeed the child.

By the way, the natural period of lactation often becomes the main medicine to combat the disease. You should not interrupt breastfeeding in advance: the period of breastfeeding often brings women relief and even complete recovery with the resorption of cystic formations and nodes.

Pregnancy and lactation are also recommended as preventive measures to combat FCM.

If a woman was treated for FCM with hormonal drugs and became pregnant in the same cycle, treatment of the disease should be stopped immediately, since the use of hormones during pregnancy requires great caution. In this situation, consult a doctor, perhaps he will prescribe you other, non-hormonal drugs approved for use during pregnancy.

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Breastfeeding

The question of breastfeeding a child with fibrocystic mastopathy should be decided by a mammologist, since the degree of progression and severity of the disease is individual for all women.

Most often, in non-critical forms of FCM, the lactation period is recommended to be as long as possible: this helps to reduce the symptoms of the disease and is a good prevention of the disease in the future.

The point is that breastfeeding promotes certain physiological processes in a woman’s body: in particular, the growth and reproduction of epithelial cells of the mammary glands is activated, which have the ability to synthesize their own antibodies that can affect various neoplasms, including cysts and fibromatous nodes.

Long-term breastfeeding should be carried out with constant monitoring of the condition of the mammary glands, with periodic examinations by a doctor and measures to prevent lactostasis. Taking medications during the lactation period must be agreed upon with a doctor.

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Fibrocystic mastopathy and cancer

According to the latest scientific research, fibrocystic mastopathy should be considered as a possible precancerous condition. This concept is morphological in nature and can include intraductal atypical epithelial proliferation and manifestations of carcinoma.

If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms on your breasts, you should immediately seek advice from a specialist:

• nodular compaction in the tissues or on the skin of the glands, especially nodes fused with the tissues and with each other;
• the appearance of ulcerative lesions on the skin, in the areola area, or crusts on the nipple or around it;
• localized or widespread swelling of the breast tissue;
• bloody, brown or black discharge from the milk ducts;
• the appearance of red areas on the skin;
• change in the shape of the breast, the appearance of bumps, disruption of the contours of the glands or the areola;
• the appearance of asymmetry in the location of the mammary glands;
• inability to move the gland.

In such situations, in order to avoid adverse consequences, you should definitely see a doctor and describe in detail the symptoms of the manifestations detected.

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Forms

ICD-10 is a generally accepted international classification of diseases, among which are all types of mastopathy. This is the main information documentation used by medical workers around the world. Standardization and unification of diseases has the right to be revised only once a decade.

This classification is designed to create the most comfortable conditions for determining analytical data of world statistics regarding the level of cases of diseases and fatalities, which are periodically recorded and sent by various regions and countries of the world. Diagnostic indicators are described as an alphanumeric code, which is extremely convenient in the process of storing and retrieving the necessary information. Data received from all corners of the world are carefully structured and processed.

Diseases and pathological conditions of the mammary gland in the ICD 10 list are in the subsection of diseases of the genitourinary system under the numbering N60-N64.

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Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy

Diffuse lesions of the mammary gland are characterized by excessive growth of connective tissue areas of various shapes. This condition can disrupt the structure of the canals and lobular structure of the glandular organ, and contribute to the appearance of small cystic formations.

The diverse etiology of diffuse mastopathy may be associated with genetic predisposition, ecology, and multiple external factors. The determining causes are the disorder of neurohumoral processes, increased synthesis of estrogens, and progesterone deficiency.

Depending on the structure and nature of tissue damage, the following types of diffuse mastopathy are distinguished:

• pathology with a predominance of the glandular component (adenosis);
• pathology with a dominance of the fibrous component (fibroadenomatosis);
• pathology with a dominance of the cystic component (cystosis);
• mixed flow of FCM;
• sclerosing type of adenosis.

The intensity of the detected disorders allows us to divide diffuse mastopathy into minor, moderate and severe forms.

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Nodular fibrocystic mastopathy

The term "focal fibrocystic mastopathy" is often used for nodular FCM. Nodular mastopathy can be characterized by the proliferation of connective tissue areas and the formation of cystic formations resembling single or multiple nodes.

In this disease, one or a group of nodules with clear, limited contours can be palpated in the mammary gland. Before the onset of menstruation, nodular formations can swell, increase in size, and become somewhat painful. After menstruation, it is easy to palpate slightly painful nodules of various shapes, dense and elastic consistency, with clear boundaries that are not fused with the surrounding tissues. It is noteworthy that in a horizontal position, the nodules are extremely weakly palpated, or even absent altogether.

Peripheral nodes usually do not enlarge.

The pain may be minor or absent altogether, and the presence of nodules is often discovered by women completely by chance: thus, the manifestations of the disease can be very individual.

Nodular mastopathy is quite often a consequence of diffuse disease.

Nonproliferative fibrocystic mastopathy

The medical term non-proliferative fibrocystic mastopathy refers to a disease of the mammary glands that does not have the characteristic signs of proliferation, namely tissue proliferation of the glandular organ with the formation of a neoplasm and intensive division and proliferation of cells. In this pathology, there is no increase in the number of structural elements of the tissue and the organ as a whole, there is no excessive tissue proliferation, as in many other pathological conditions. There may be significant or localized tissue edema, which cannot be called the formation of new structures.

Proliferation is a process of cell reproduction, which in most cases is the final stage of any inflammation, in which a clear separation of the pathological focus from healthy nearby tissues can be observed.

The non-proliferative form of FCM has a more favorable course and prognosis, but requires no less careful medical supervision and treatment.

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Mixed fibrocystic mastopathy

In the mixed form of fibrocystic mastopathy, characteristic symptoms of all forms of the disease are combined:

• signs of diffuse FCM with a predominant cystic component, when small cystic formations (capsules or cysts) with fluid are formed in the mammary gland;
• signs of fibrous mastopathy with a predominant fibrous component, in which there is an overgrowth of connective tissue areas in the gland;
• manifestations of adenosis of the mammary glands (proliferation with a predominant glandular component) - excessive growth of glandular tissue, which is characterized by a significant increase in breast size;
• cystic formations, or nodes, affect the mammary gland both in the form of single manifestations and total multiple tumors, which are perfectly palpable in a vertical position;
• It is possible that fibroadenoma may develop simultaneously – a round, mobile and dense benign formation in the mammary gland.

This form of the disease is a somewhat advanced version of the disease, is more difficult to treat and requires long-term therapeutic interventions.

Bilateral fibrocystic mastopathy

The name of this form of FCM speaks for itself - manifestations of fibrocystic disease in such pathology are present in both mammary glands at the same time. Changes are expressed in hyperplasia of connective tissue, fibrous, glandular elements in both mammary glands, affecting the organs themselves and their milk ducts, which contributes to the disruption of trophic processes and the formation of cystic formations.

Such bilateral lesions of the mammary glands approximately double the risk of developing a malignant tumor, although FCM itself does not pose a life-threatening threat.

Bilateral fibrocystic mastopathy is a consequence of persistent, long-term and serious hormonal imbalance in the body, so its treatment should be aimed primarily at restoring normal natural hormone levels, identifying the cause of the imbalance (pathology of the ovaries, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary system, etc.).

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Fibrocystic mastopathy during menopause

Disruption of the regularity of menstruation and its complete disappearance for a woman of fifty years of age is considered a normal physiological condition, moreover, it determines the positive dynamics of the current pathological processes of the reproductive system of the body, up to complete recovery.

The risk of developing additional or worsening breast disease may increase when menopause occurs too early (before age 45) or too late (after age 55).

With the first symptoms of menopause, there is a significant change in hormonal balance. At this time, the mammary glands can cause painful sensations and a feeling of tension and pressure.

Usually, the signs of fibrocystic mastopathy weaken during this period. Cystic formations, cords and nodes in the mammary glands can significantly decrease or disappear completely, pain and heaviness in the chest gradually subside.

Simultaneously with the decline in ovarian function, the glandular tissue in the mammary glands gradually atrophies and is replaced by connective tissue and lipid areas.

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Fibrocystic mastopathy and IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the so-called "test tube conception", sometimes the only way for childless couples to have their own child. Before preparing for artificial insemination, you should visit many doctors to determine possible contraindications to the procedure. Often women are very worried about the presence of various forms of FCM: what will the doctor say, and is mastopathy a contraindication to IVF?

To be honest, their worries are not unfounded: artificial insemination uses a method of hormonal stimulation, and this can significantly complicate the course of the disease and provoke a rapid increase in cystic formations.

However, many doctors understand the importance of this procedure for a woman. They also take into account the fact that the phenomena of FCM tend to regress during the period of breastfeeding. Therefore, reproductive medicine and mammology often give permission to carry out the procedure of in vitro fertilization even in the presence of fibrocystic mastopathy.

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Complications and consequences

The most common consequences of FCM may include the following conditions:

• an increase in the size of the cystic formation with a visual change in the mammary gland;
• development of a background inflammatory process with subsequent infection and suppuration of the cystic formation;
• degeneration of a cystic formation into a malignant one;
• rupture, violation of the integrity of the cyst.

Fibrocystic mastopathy cannot pose any immediate danger to the patient’s life and is not the cause of significant discomfort and the inability to live a full life (in the absence of advanced stages with huge cystic formations).

The severity of the pathological process is aggravated only by the background development of an inflammatory reaction, the entry of an infectious agent, and signs of suppuration of the nodes.

There are also cases of a cyst transforming into a cancerous tumor, since it is known that the development of mastopathy significantly increases the risk of developing a malignant tumor.

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Diagnostics cystic fibrosis mastopathy

Cystic FCM can be detected by independently palpating the mammary glands. To confirm the diagnosis, ultrasound and mammography (X-ray of the mammary glands) are used.

The mammography method is quite informative and determines the size, contours and number of cystic formations.

The ultrasound method provides the opportunity for a detailed examination of formations with inspection of the cystic wall.

Magnetic resonance imaging is used quite rarely, this method allows for a thorough examination of each layer of tissue and formations.

Aspiration biopsy of the mammary gland determines the nature of the cystic formation; pneumocystography can also demonstrate a similar result.

Histological examination of the material extracted during biopsy is mandatory: this method is necessary to study the cellular structure of the cyst and allows one to refute the malignant nature of the formations, determine the presence of intraductal papilloma or clarify the presence of inflammatory and purulent processes in the cyst.

Also, standard diagnostics of mastopathy is impossible without palpation of the mammary glands and collection of anamnesis characteristic of this pathology. Sometimes blood tests may be prescribed to determine the degree of hormonal imbalance.

Ultrasound

The ultrasound examination method allows us to measure the thickness of the glandular tissue layer in each area of the mammary glands from the periphery to the areola, as well as to evaluate the tissue density indicators in various areas of the organs.

The image obtained using ultrasound changes steadily depending on the patient’s age: over the years, the thickness of the glandular tissue layer decreases, and the density index increases, reaching maximum values by the age of 55.

The structure of the mammary glands varies significantly during adolescence, reproductive and menopausal periods, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In fibroadenomatosis and diffuse mastopathy, the picture may be different depending on the dominance of any sign of the disease: this may be glandular hyperplasia, cystic formations, fibrous changes or a mixed type of pathology. Very often, the cystic manifestation of FCM is combined with signs of fibrosis of glandular tissues.

The main ultrasound signs of fibrocystic mastopathy are:

• fibrous changes (fibrosis of areas of milk ducts and septa);
• discrepancy between the structure of the mammary glands and the patient's age;
• lesions of the nipple and surrounding area;
• thickening of the glandular tissue layer by more than 14 mm;
• dilation of the mammary gland ducts;
• detection of cystic formations.

Puncture

Puncture is usually performed by aspiration with a thin needle. The cyst capsule is punctured with a needle, which simultaneously performs aspiration of the internal contents of the cyst. The procedure is not only diagnostic, but also therapeutic.

The cystic contents obtained by puncture are usually yellowish-gray in color, but if the cyst has been present for a long time, the fluid may acquire a brown-black or greenish color. Cytological examination of the contents is rarely performed due to its low information content.

Puncture for collecting cells from a tumor-like formation of the mammary gland is a fairly popular research procedure. The obtained cell samples are necessarily sent for histological and cytological examination. Sometimes, if the aspiration result is negative, a repeat cell biopsy may be prescribed.

A puncture of the mammary gland is a painless but extremely informative procedure, which is extremely necessary in the differential diagnosis of fibrocystic breast disease.

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Treatment cystic fibrosis mastopathy

The main measures in the treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy should be aimed at stabilizing the normal hormonal background in the female body.

Therapeutic methods of influence are determined by a specialist based on the results of blood hormone tests, in particular, progesterone, estradiol and prolactin. In accordance with the results, drugs are prescribed that can correct the disturbed hormonal balance.

Treatment of mastopathy may include a puncture method of aspiration of fluid from the cyst with subsequent introduction of special preparations into the cavity, provoking obliteration of the cyst walls (sclerotherapy). This procedure is applicable to ordinary cystic formations without malignancy of the process and symptoms of intraductal tumor.

In severe situations characterized by the appearance of multiple cystic formations, excessive tissue growth, and also when there is a suspicion of malignant cell degeneration, a sectoral resection of the mammary gland is used with mandatory histology of samples of removed tissue.

Folk remedies

Traditional treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy is used for unstable and mild symptoms of the disease; with nodular FCM, a slight reduction in formations is noted, but relapses of foci of pathology are not excluded.

Burdock has proven itself well - fresh washed leaves of the plant are applied to the affected breast, preferably at night, and left until the morning. Burdock leaves have a resorptive effect.

Cabbage leaves are also effective in treating mastopathy. Cabbage leaves are usually applied at night, or a compress is made: the mammary gland is lubricated with unsalted butter, a clean cloth napkin is applied and a mixture of ground cabbage and sour milk is applied. This compress can be used both during the day and at night, after wrapping the breast in cellophane.

Using a mask of castor oil (100 g), honey (2 tablespoons), lemon juice (from 2 lemons) and ground burdock root (to the consistency of sour cream) will help with varying degrees of disease development. Mix all the ingredients and apply to a clean linen napkin. Constant use of the mask allows you to achieve recovery within a month after the start of treatment.

Also popular are products based on herbs and medicinal plant mixtures.

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Herbal treatment

• The Altai herb orthilia secunda is considered to be very effective in treating women's diseases. It is used for hormonal disorders in the body, to restore metabolism, endocrine system function, and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the ovaries, bladder, and mammary glands. The tincture of this herb is prepared as follows: 0.5 liters of high-quality vodka is poured over 50 g of orthilia secunda, and infused for 2 weeks in a dark place (not in the refrigerator). Take a teaspoon three times a day before meals, the duration of treatment is about six months, with interruption of treatment during menstruation.
• Red brush herb perfectly cleanses the genitourinary system and stabilizes the endocrine system. Tincture of this herb is used three times a day, half a teaspoon per half a glass of water, taken during meals for a month, taking a break during menstruation.
• Burdock root can be poured with three glasses of boiling water (for 60 g of leaves), infused for 4 hours, strained and drunk one glass three times a day before meals.
• Yarrow, motherwort and succession - mix 2 tablespoons of raw materials and pour a liter of boiling water. Take 1 glass before meals. An excellent remedy for diffuse mastopathy.
• Mix equal parts of honey, lemon juice, radish juice, carrot and beetroot juice with an equal proportion of Cahors wine, take 2 tablespoons of the mixture before meals until the symptoms of the disease completely disappear.

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Operation

Surgical treatment is used for fibroadenoma or some large cystic formations.

For minor tumors and nodes, conservative therapy and periodic monitoring by a specialist are sometimes sufficient.

The following surgical methods of treatment of the disease are usually used:

• sectoral resection (the formation is removed simultaneously with a section of the mammary gland);
• enucleation of the cystic formation (enucleation and removal of the cyst itself).

The use of surgical treatment should be justified and applied for the following indications:

• based on a histological examination confirming suspicions of malignancy of tumor cells;
• with an intensive increase in the formation (the tumor is observed for three months);
• in case of repeated recurrence of nodular FCM after conservative or sclerotherapeutic treatment of the disease.

The surgery is performed using general or local anesthesia; the duration of the operation is approximately 40 minutes.

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Drug treatment

Medicinal preparations used in the treatment of mastopathy should primarily be aimed at eliminating the causes of the disease, improving the body's immunity, and treating ovarian and thyroid pathologies.

• Hormonal agents: progesterone, duphaston, utrogestan, etc.
• Contraceptives are used to regulate the menstrual cycle.
• Estrogen inhibitors.

In case of severe pain, analgesics, diuretics (relieve swelling of the gland before menstruation), and homeopathic remedies are used.

Starting from the age of forty, steroid drugs methylandrostenediol, methyltestosterone, and testosterone injections may be prescribed.

If the corpus luteum function is insufficient, progesterone medications or injections are taken in the second phase of the cycle.

Iodine supplements may be prescribed for thyroid dysfunction.

The effectiveness of the listed means is varied. However, the benefit of treatment is felt as a result of the complex effect of drugs: analgesics, bromocriptine, vitamins, homeopathy, potassium iodide, contraceptives, herbal remedies, tamoxifen, danazol, gestagens, etc.

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Mastodinon

The drug Mastodinon is a homeopathic remedy, very popular among women with problems with the menstrual cycle, pathology of the mammary glands, PMS.

The drug is popular primarily for its effectiveness, as well as the natural origin of the composition of the product: the medicine is based exclusively on herbs.

Mastodinone eliminates various menstrual cycle disorders, helps with fibrocystic ovarian cancer, and eliminates associated symptoms of PMS.

The drug helps to reduce the synthesis of prolactin by the posterior pituitary gland, which makes it possible to influence the processes of pathological proliferation of mammary gland tissue.

Taking Mastodinon is extremely rarely accompanied by side effects due to the presence of exclusively natural components in the drug.

Mastodinone for fibrocystic mastopathy is used 30 drops or one tablet twice a day. Can be diluted with a small amount of liquid.

The drug should be taken for at least 90 days continuously; the visible effect appears already in the second month of taking it.

Mastodinone can be taken for quite a long period of time if there are proper medical indications for this.

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Homeopathy

The use of alternative homeopathic treatment methods has long proven itself on the good side: homeopathic remedies do not accumulate in the body, do not provoke allergic and side reactions, are suitable for the treatment of pregnant women and nursing mothers, the elderly and small children.

Homeopathy allows you to cure the disease within 2-5 weeks, and relapses after taking medications are extremely rare.

In case of inflammation in the tissues of the gland, preparations based on apis (apis mellifica) work well, and belladonna will relieve swelling and burning sensation in the mammary glands.

Significant suppuration of the gland, accompanied by high temperature indicators and dull pains - a reason for prescribing drugs prepared from the plants of bryonia and bufo. Disease of the mammary gland, provoked by trauma, will help cure the extract of pulsatilla.

Despite the fact that homeopathic medicines have virtually no contraindications and cautions in use, the use of the medicines should be discussed with a doctor. He will help you choose the right medicine that will make the treatment of the disease even more effective.

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Vitamins

Drug therapy for fibrocystic ovarian cancer is often supplemented with vitamin complexes containing vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, PP and ascorbic acid, as well as vitamin E.

Vitamin E plays a special role in therapeutic measures to combat the disease. This vitamin has antioxidant properties, helps enhance the action of progesterone, participates in the regulation of fat metabolism, and alleviates the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

The antioxidant properties explain the anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects of the drug. However, for it to be effective, vitamin E must be taken for at least three months.

B vitamins are also important in the treatment of mastopathy. They are responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous system and normalize energy metabolism. The immune system, cell division and growth are provided by these vitamins. Vitamin supplements are especially necessary for people who are prone to mental and emotional stress, stress, and chronic diseases.

You can improve the supply of vitamins to your body by taking vitamin complexes, or by providing your diet with a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits.

Nutrition and diet

The principles of changing nutrition in fibrocystic mastopathy are aimed at stabilizing the hormonal background in the body.

It is recommended to include fiber-containing foods in the diet - these are all types of cereals, parsley, dill, various greens. It is important to consume natural estrogens - these are peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas, mung beans, cabbage (white cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, Savoy, cauliflower). Is it worth talking about how necessary the body is for vitamins, minerals contained in citrus fruits, dried fruits, other fruits and vegetables.

Iodine, which is rich in seafood and fish, is also useful for the endocrine system. Liver dishes and fermented milk products will be a source of necessary phospholipids.

It is recommended to limit the consumption of animal fats, fast carbohydrates, and monitor the caloric content of the diet: being overweight has an adverse effect on the health of the mammary glands and the reproductive function of a woman.

The diet for fibrocystic mastopathy should be balanced, rich in vitamins and dietary fiber. Great importance should also be given to the drinking regime: a sufficient amount of liquid will allow metabolic processes in the body to stabilize more quickly. One and a half liters of clean water per day is the optimal amount of liquid for the normal functioning of the body.

In addition, for successful treatment of FCM, it is necessary to exclude from the diet foods containing methylxanthines - black tea, coffee, cocoa, Coca-Cola, chocolate.

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Prevention

The main method of preventing fibrocystic mastopathy is independent periodic examination of the mammary glands, which allows you to promptly detect the slightest changes and promptly contact a specialist, preventing further development of the disease. Immediately after the end of menstruation, women should examine the mammary glands alternately in a horizontal and vertical position, palpation should be carried out from the periphery of the organs to the areola.

If you find any strange formations, consult a doctor - timely treatment is often a guarantee of complete recovery and prevention of unwanted complications.

An excellent prevention of mastopathy is pregnancy and natural breastfeeding. However, feeding the baby for too long is also a risk factor, so do not overdo it, feed the child no more than 1.5 years.

Avoid abortions: forced termination of pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing FCM.

In order to prevent hormonal imbalance, it is recommended to establish regular sexual intercourse; in case of hypothyroidism, iodized salt or special iodine preparations should be consumed.

And, of course, a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, exercise, and quitting smoking and drinking alcohol are some of the main links in the necessary preventive measures.

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Forecast

The prognosis for fibrocystic mastopathy may be individual. If you contact a doctor in a timely manner, the situation is more favorable: sometimes changes in nutrition and lifestyle, or some medical prescriptions are enough to achieve a complete recovery of the patient.

Advanced cases may be accompanied by frequent relapses of the disease, which may be due to failure to identify the cause of the hormonal disorder.

Malignant degeneration of mastopathy can occur in the presence of fibroadenoma or long-standing untreated cases of cystic FCM.

Regular visits to a mammologist and periodic ultrasound examination of the mammary glands will protect you from the unpleasant consequences of mammary gland pathology.

A favorable prognosis for any disease comes down to a timely visit to a doctor. Do not be afraid of the symptoms of the disease and its treatment, be afraid of the consequences. Fibrocystic mastopathy can pass without a trace, for this you only need a little attention to your own health.

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