Involution of the mammary glands

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

This is just a physiological change in the glandular tissue of the breast, associated with different periods of a woman's life: the period of pregnancy and lactation, menopause and other hormonal changes in the female body.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]

Causes of the involutions of mammary glands

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

• from the beginning 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 react very sensitively to any changes in the hormone levels in the female body. Sometimes an experienced doctor can just examine the woman's breasts to establish a diagnosis. With a stable active level of hormones, involution may not occur even at 50 and 60 years. However, if the hormonal level is insufficient, changes in the breast can develop in young 20-year-old girls. This phenomenon requires an indispensable examination for gynecological and endocrine diseases.

[8], [9], [10], [11],

Symptoms of the involutions of mammary glands

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

1. The age-related involution of the mammary glands most often occurs as follows:
   • from 25 to 40 years - 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 channels are not dilated, pathologies are not observed;
   • from 40 to 50 years - there are signs of developing breast involution, which are expressed in the form of fibrotic mastopathy, fat changes, fibroadenomatosis, papillomas or tumors;
   • from 50 to 55 years - involution is aggravated, ultrasound shows a predominance of adipose tissue with preserved glandular;
   • from 55 years and more - ultrasound is noticeably almost complete replacement of tissues (glandular tissue is replaced by fatty tissue), there are no seals normally.
   • When you feel the gland, the doctor can note a change in the structure and loss of elasticity of the breast. The skin can hang, the breast goes down and becomes sluggish.
2. Fat involution of mammary glands is a natural change in the female body in menopause, or after lactation. Causes are all the same hormones, the level of which is unstable.

Characteristic external signs fatty involution does not. It can be seen only with the help of ultrasound or mammography. If there is an involution, then in the pictures the breast gland will look lighter than usual, with a clear structure of blood vessels, milky channels and connective tissue fibers.

Signs of breast involution, found in young girls and nulliparous women, may be indicative of large hormonal problems. Such women require additional examination, especially for the pathology of the endocrine system.

3. Fibrous involution of mammary glands is a physiological replacement of glandular tissue by connective (fibrous) tissue. The involutionary process is extremely rare in this form. Most often it is combined, with replacement for connective and adipose tissue. This process is called "fibro-fat involution of mammary glands";
   • fibro-cystic involution of mammary glands is a replacement of glandular tissue by a connective, with the simultaneous formation of cyst-cavity benign neoplasms. In this palpation, it is possible to determine the areas of seals in the mammary gland resembling knots or balls with a liquid.

Involuntary processes of withering of the breast are strengthened towards the end of the reproductive age: after 45-50 years. Ultrasound and mammography at this time indicate a diffuse proliferation of connective and fat tissue elements. The thickness of the parenchymal layer gradually decreases from 14 mm to 4-6 mm. Such symptoms after 45 years are considered a physiological norm.

[12], [13], [14], [15], [16],

Diagnostics of the involutions of mammary glands

Diagnosis of mammary gland involution is often based on two variants of the study: ultrasound and mammography.

If necessary, the doctor can prescribe a comprehensive breast examination, which includes:

• examination and palpation of the breast, a survey on the course of menstruation, about previous pregnancies or their interruptions, about the presence of diseases, especially chronic ones;
• mammography (one of the most effective diagnostic methods in this case);
• ultrasonography;
• auxiliary thermography;
• computed tomography;
• dactografy (galactography) - X-ray examination of the breast ducts of the breast with the use of contrast agents;
• a blood test to determine the amount of hormones.

The doctor determines the necessity of this or that method of research. His decision depends on the age of the woman, her desire to have children in the future, as well as the presence of other diseases of the mammary glands and reproductive system.

[17], [18], [19], [20]

Treatment of the involutions of mammary glands

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

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

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

• If the main factor in the development of involution is recognized as endocrine pathology, the patient is prescribed hormone replacement therapy to stabilize the normal level of hormones.
• If along with the involution the patient is found to have other diseases of the breast (neoplasms, cysts, mastopathy), then, accordingly, first of all, treatment is directed to fight against more important manifestations.
• If on the background of involution there is a strong tenderness of the chest, it is possible to administer anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedatives. In some cases, hormone treatment is used.

Prevention

Prevention is the most important moment in the treatment of any diseases of the mammary glands. As for prevention of breast involution, the recommendations here are fairly simple at first glance:

• active way of life - move, go in for sports, walk in the park, in the woods, just around the city, rest on the nature;
• impellent activity - do not forget about morning gymnastics, especially if your working day passes in an office chair. During the working day, get up, walk around or warm up, and most importantly - do not sit still;
• psycho-emotional balance - avoid stress, scandals and tensions;
• full sleep and rest - sleep is very important for hormonal balance in the body, do not forget about it;
• Full balanced nutrition - healthy food, without alcohol and chemistry, preferably prepared with your own hands (and not purchased in the form of semi-finished products);
• periodic visit to a gynecologist for preventive examination.

[21], [22], [23], [24],

Forecast

Even if the involutionary processes do not disturb the woman in any way, periodic visits to the gynecologist should not be ignored. Keep breast health under control constantly, and after 40-50 years, breast ultrasound should be done annually. It is in this period that the growth of hormonal instability is observed, the risk of developing breast tumors increases significantly.

Undoubtedly, the earlier these diseases are detected, the more optimistic the forecast will be.

The diagnosis of "mammary gland involution" in no case should cause panic. After all, with age we change, and also the organs and tissues in our body change, including the mammary glands. But if such changes occur in the reproductive age, then here one should be alert: this indicates a disorder of the hormonal balance. But such a problem is solved: the doctor will assess the causes of the pathology and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

[25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32]