mastodynia

In medical science, mastodynia is called pain in the mammary glands, which can be felt in one breast or be felt on both sides. Mastodynia can be not only a symptom of other diseases, but also classified as an independent diagnosis - if we are talking about psychogenic mastodynia. Many women face the problem of painful sensations in the chest during puberty and, mainly, after 25 years. In view of the danger that mastodynia can portend, first of all it is necessary to determine the causes of painful sensations.

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Causes mastodynia

The most common cause of mastodynia is premenstrual syndrome in women – a pathological course of the last phase of the cycle. The occurrence of mastodynia is explained by an increase in the amount of estrogens in this phase, which affects the intensification of proliferative processes in the mammary glands. Swelling and painful sensations in the chest area occur, which cease with the onset of menstruation.

Mastodynia may also be the first and most pronounced sign of benign breast dysplasia.

The occurrence of cyclic pain and enlargement of the mammary glands is observed in most women during the “adaptation period” to oral contraceptives – the first months of taking the drugs.

In addition, the appearance of mastodynia can be caused by:

• pregnancy;
• reactive sclerosis of connective tissue of the mammary glands;
• inflammation of the osteochondral joints of the spine;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• the presence of a malignant tumor;
• consequences of trauma to the mammary glands (for example, during plastic surgery);
• dysfunction of the liver or kidneys, affecting the hormonal state of the woman's body;
• hormonal imbalance after an abortion, especially dangerous is the miscarriage of the first pregnancy;
• stress, neuroses.

For effective treatment of mastodynia, it is important to correctly determine the cause in each individual case.

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Symptoms mastodynia

In addition to chest pain, mastodynia is characterized by swelling, a feeling of tension in the mammary glands, increased sensitivity to touch of the nipple and breast tissue, a feeling of heat. All these symptoms are observed in the cyclic form of mastodynia, while the non-cyclic form is not characterized by swelling and the appearance of breast sensitivity. This form is characterized by a local nature of painful sensations, the pain is weak or sharp, lasts constantly or occurs without any periodicity. The patient may have discharge from the nipple: transparent or yellow.

When observing the latter, a woman should sound the alarm and be sure to see a mammologist, because these symptoms can accompany inflammation or the appearance of neoplasms. So, there are two forms of mastodynia: cyclic and non-cyclic - not associated with the menstrual cycle and mainly indicating the presence of other diseases.

Cyclic mastodynia reflects the cyclic functioning of the ovaries and the effect of sex hormones on the mammary glands. It can be defined by a doctor as a separate diagnosis - "psychogenic mastodynia", but only in the absence of changes in the structure of the mammary gland.

Cyclic mastodynia can be:

• symptom of premenstrual syndrome;
• an independent symptom in the absence of other manifestations of PMS;
• a symptom indicating the presence of mastopathy;
• a consequence of the use of hormonal drugs.

Diagnostics mastodynia

Examination of a woman complaining of mastodynia begins with inspection and palpation of the mammary glands. Diagnostics are carried out after the cessation of menstruation. To determine the hormonal cause of the painful sensations, a blood test is carried out, which will show the level of sex hormones. Women over 40 years old are necessarily referred by a mammologist for mammography and ultrasound, and those who are not yet 40 - only for ultrasound, as a rule. If the results of these studies indicate the presence of neoplasms, the patient will also need to undergo a biopsy procedure.

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Treatment mastodynia

Treatment of mastodynia is aimed at eliminating painful sensations in the mammary glands. The doctor and the patient often face the question: to treat only the symptoms of mastodynia, or to try to find out its causes in a specific patient, and choose treatment methods based on them.

Women complaining of mastodynia are usually advised to:

1. Avoid consuming products containing caffeine, as they affect the development of fibrous tissue. These include coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa and Coca-Cola.
2. Diversify your diet as much as possible with foods rich in fiber and vitamins A, C, E and B, but it is better to avoid fatty foods and alcohol. This helps normalize liver function and remove excess estrogen from a woman's body.
3. Choose the right bra: it should be the right shape, size, and in no case should it squeeze the breasts. For women with large breasts, wearing this item of clothing is a must.

In addition, if mastodynia is caused by premenstrual syndrome, it is recommended to use diuretics, such as herbal teas and fresh pumpkin, a few days before the onset of menstruation. This will prevent swelling. It is better to avoid table salt, while you can replenish the lack of potassium and magnesium with oatmeal and rosehip decoction.

Swelling of the breasts with mastodynia can be caused by circulatory disorders. To eliminate them, doctors also recommend taking vitamin P preparations and foods rich in it - citrus fruits, rose hips, black currants and raspberries.

For a woman suffering from mastodynia, it is important to maintain mental balance, because the mammary gland reacts very sensitively to changes in psycho-emotional states. To maintain calm in stressful situations, you can use mild sedatives such as motherwort or valerian tincture.

Mastodynia caused by hormonal imbalance is treated with hormone therapy. It may include the following medications:

1. Antiestrogens that block estrogen receptors in the mammary glands, such as fareston. The effect is observed within the first month after the start of treatment. The drug is taken at 20 mg from the fifth to the twenty-fifth day of the cycle (daily - if the cycle is irregular, during menopause).
2. Oral contraceptives. The attending physician should help with the choice of a suitable means. He will take into account the patient's age, the severity of symptoms and hormonal disorder, and recommend a suitable drug.
3. Gestagens, which help reduce the effect of estrogens on breast tissue. Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a popular remedy, as it has more pronounced gestagenic properties with virtually no androgenic effect. I would like to add that hormone therapy drugs can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor, because their selection should be based on the results of laboratory diagnostics and be optimal for a specific patient.

Treatment of Mastodynia with Folk Remedies

A little has already been said above about non-drug methods of treating mastodynia. Let us dwell in more detail on folk remedies that help eliminate painful sensations and swelling of the mammary glands.

In cases where the occurrence of pain is cyclical, a few days before the expected onset of symptoms of mastodynia, it is recommended to start taking products containing extract of common chaste tree. This plant, popularly known as "Abraham's tree" or "wild pepper", lowers prolactin levels, thereby helping to harmonize hormonal levels during PMS. It can be found in pharmacies. Drops or tablets containing the extract should be taken in accordance with the instructions for them. It is worth noting that this method is contraindicated for women suffering from mastodynia during pregnancy or lactation.

Another effective folk remedy is herbal tea made from a mixture of St. John's wort leaves, dandelion roots, lady's mantle and nettle leaves. The mixture can be prepared independently from pre-dried plants, mixing them in equal proportions, or purchased ready-made at a pharmacy. To prepare it, you need to brew a teaspoon of the mixture in a cup of water and let it brew for ten minutes. Drink three times a day a few days before the onset of PMS.

In case of mastodynia caused by pregnancy or lactation, you need to be especially careful in choosing folk remedies. A safe method is a compress of crushed cabbage leaves. They should be applied to the chest under a comfortable bra. As soon as the swelling subsides, it is better to stop the compresses.

Some women suffering from mastodynia are helped by cottage cheese masks: a half-centimeter layer of low-fat cottage cheese is spread on the chest and covered with a napkin made of natural fabric. If it is cold outside, the chest should be wrapped in woolen fabric.

When self-medicating with folk remedies, it is important to listen to the body's reaction to them. Even if the measures taken were sufficient to relieve painful sensations, do not forget to tell them when you visit your gynecologist.

Prevention

The basis for preventing the occurrence of mastodynia is:

1. Wearing the “right bra” – one that is comfortable, the right size and made from natural fabric.
2. Adherence to healthy eating rules: avoid caffeine-containing products, alcohol and fatty foods, reduce the amount of salt consumed.
3. Preventing hypothermia. Protecting the chest from direct sunlight.
4. Avoiding situations that cause nervous tension and stress.
5. Preventing trauma to the mammary glands.

In addition, a mandatory preventive measure is monthly independent palpation of the breast on the 5th-6th day of the menstrual cycle. You need to feel the breast lying down, starting from the nipples and moving in a circle. If a woman feels lumps, she should see a doctor without delay.

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Forecast

Usually the prognosis is favorable: painful sensations disappear with drug treatment. If the cause of pain is the presence of neoplasms in the mammary glands, the prognosis of mastodynia depends on the success of the treatment of the latter.

Remember, whatever the causes of mastodynia, excessive worry only makes the situation worse. Keep your peace of mind, listen to your body and be healthy!

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