Mammary gland involution

The term "involution" means "reverse development" of something. Involution of the mammary glands is not considered a disease.

These are just physiological changes in the glandular tissues of the breast associated with different periods of a woman’s life: pregnancy and lactation, menopause and other hormonal changes in the female body.

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Causes mammary gland involution

The female body has to go through several natural stages during which the development of mammary gland involution is possible:

• from the onset of puberty to 45 years of age (reproductive period);
• from 45 to 60 years (menopause);
• from 60 years (the period of approaching old age).

The mammary glands are very sensitive to any changes in the level of hormones in the female body. Sometimes it may be enough for an experienced doctor to examine a woman's breasts to make a diagnosis. With a stable active level of hormones, involution may not occur even at 50 and 60 years of age. However, if the hormonal level is insufficient, changes in the mammary gland can develop even in young twenty-year-old girls. This phenomenon requires an obligatory examination for gynecological and endocrinological diseases.

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Symptoms mammary gland involution

Often, there are no obvious symptoms of mammary gland involution. In isolated cases, patients may note the presence of pain in the chest area, radiating to the upper back.

1. Age-related involution of the mammary glands most often occurs as follows:
   • from 25 to 40 years old – the mammary glands are subject to natural cyclic changes depending on the phase of the monthly cycle. Ultrasound examination indicates the presence of glandular tissue, the canals are not dilated, pathologies are not observed;
   • from 40 to 50 years – signs of developing breast involution are observed, which are expressed in the form of fibrous mastopathy, fatty changes, fibroadenomatosis, papillomas or tumors;
   • from 50 to 55 years – involution worsens, ultrasound shows a predominance of adipose tissue with preserved glandular tissue;
   • 55 years and older – ultrasound shows almost complete tissue replacement (glandular tissue is replaced by fatty tissue), seals are normally absent.
   • When palpating the gland, the doctor may notice changes in the structure and loss of elasticity of the breast. The skin may hang down, the breasts droop and become flaccid.
2. Fatty involution of the mammary glands is a natural change in the female body during menopause or after the end of lactation. The reasons are the same hormones, the level of which is unstable.

Fatty involution has no characteristic external signs. It can be noticed only with the help of ultrasound or mammography. If involution is present, then in the images the mammary gland will look lighter than usual, with a clear structure of blood vessels, milk ducts and connective tissue fibers.

Signs of mammary gland involution found in young girls and nulliparous women may indicate major hormonal problems. Such women require additional examination, especially for endocrine pathologies.

3. Fibrous involution of the mammary glands is a physiological replacement of glandular tissue with connective (fibrous) tissue. The involutional process very rarely occurs in this form. Most often, it is combined, with replacement with connective and fatty tissue. This process is called "fibrous-fatty involution of the mammary glands";
   • fibrocystic involution of the mammary glands is the replacement of glandular tissue with connective tissue, with the simultaneous formation of cysts - cystic benign neoplasms. In this case, areas of compaction in the mammary gland can be palpated, resembling nodes or balls with fluid.

Involutional processes of breast aging intensify towards the end of reproductive age: after 45-50 years. Ultrasound and mammographic examination at this time indicate diffuse proliferation of connective and fatty tissue elements. The thickness of the parenchymatous layer gradually decreases from 14 mm to 4-6 mm. Such symptoms after 45 years are considered physiological norm.

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Diagnostics mammary gland involution

Diagnosis of mammary gland involution is often based on two types of examination: ultrasound and mammography.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe comprehensive examinations of the mammary glands, which include:

• examination and palpation of the breast, questioning about the course of menstruation, previous pregnancies or their terminations, the presence of diseases, especially chronic ones;
• mammography (one of the most effective diagnostic methods in this case);
• ultrasound examination;
• auxiliary thermography;
• computed tomography;
• ductography (galactography) – X-ray examination of the milk ducts of the breast using contrast agents;
• a blood test to determine the amount of hormones.

The need for a particular research method is determined by the doctor. His decision depends on the woman's age, her desire to have children in the future, and the presence of other diseases of the mammary glands and reproductive system.

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Treatment mammary gland involution

Age-related involution of the mammary glands does not require treatment. However, it is necessary to carefully and constantly monitor the condition of the breast, performing self-examination, as well as periodically visiting the doctor for ultrasound examination and mammography.

This is important for the timely detection of various neoplasms that often appear at this age.

Treatment of fatty involution of the mammary glands in young patients is mandatory, but only after determining the cause of the pathology.

• If endocrine pathology is recognized as the underlying factor in the development of involution, the patient is prescribed hormone replacement therapy to stabilize normal hormone levels.
• If, along with involution, the patient is diagnosed with other breast diseases (neoplasms, cysts, mastopathy), then, accordingly, treatment is primarily aimed at combating more important manifestations.
• If there is severe breast pain against the background of involution, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative drugs may be prescribed. In some cases, hormonal treatment is used.

Prevention

The most important point in the treatment of any mammary gland disease is prevention. As for the prevention of mammary gland involution, the recommendations here are quite simple at first glance:

• active lifestyle – move, play sports, walk in the park, in the forest, just around the city, relax in nature;
• physical activity – do not forget about morning exercises, especially if your working day is spent in an office chair. During the working day, get up, walk or stretch, and most importantly – do not sit still;
• psycho-emotional balance – avoid stress, scandals and tense situations;
• good sleep and rest – sleep is very important for hormonal balance in the body, don’t forget about it;
• a complete, balanced diet – healthy food, without alcohol or chemicals, preferably prepared with your own hands (and not purchased as semi-finished products);
• periodic visits to the gynecologist for preventive examinations.

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Forecast

Even if involutional processes do not bother a woman in any way, one should not ignore periodic visits to a gynecologist. It is necessary to constantly monitor breast health, and after 40-50 years, an ultrasound of the mammary glands should be done annually. It is during this period that hormonal instability increases, and the risk of developing breast tumors increases significantly.

Of course, the earlier these diseases are detected, the more optimistic the prognosis will be.

The diagnosis of "involution of the mammary glands" should not cause panic in any case. After all, with age we change, and the organs and tissues in our body, including the mammary glands, also change. But if such changes occur in reproductive age, then you should be wary: this indicates a hormonal imbalance. But this problem can be solved: the doctor will assess the causes of the pathology and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

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