Mammalgia

Mastodynia in medical science is called pain in the mammary glands, which can be felt in one breast or be palpable on both sides. Mastodinia can act not only as a symptom of other diseases, but also be classified as an independent diagnosis - in the case of psychogenic mastodinia. With the problem of painful sensations in the chest during puberty and, in general, after 25 years, very many women are confronted. In view of the danger that mastodinia can predict, first of all it is necessary to determine the causes of the onset of painful sensations.

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Causes of the mastodynia

The most common reason for the occurrence of mastodynia is premenstrual syndrome in women - the pathological course of the last phase of the cycle. The occurrence of mastodynia is explained by the increase in the amount of estrogens in this phase, which affects the enhancement of proliferative processes in the mammary glands. There is swelling and painful sensations in the chest, stopping with the onset of menstruation.

Mastodynia can also be the first and most pronounced symptom of benign mammary dysplasia.

The emergence of cyclic pain and breast enlargement is noted in most women in the "period of adaptation" to oral contraceptives - the first months of taking medications.

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

• pregnancy;
• reactive sclerosis of the connective tissue of the mammary glands;
• inflammation of the cartilaginous articulations of the spine;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• presence of a malignant tumor;
• the consequences of traumatizing the mammary glands (for example, with plastic surgery);
• dysfunction of the liver or kidneys, affecting the hormonal state of the woman's body;
• violation of the hormonal background after abortion, especially dangerous is the breakdown of the first pregnancy;
• stresses, neuroses.

For effective treatment of mastodynia, an important role is played by the correct definition of the cause in each individual case.

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Symptoms of the mastodynia

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

When watching the latter, the woman should sound the alarm and necessarily appear to the mammologist, because these symptoms can accompany inflammation or the appearance of tumors. 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 the doctor as a separate diagnosis - "psychogenic mastodynia", but only in the absence of changes in the structure of the breast.

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;
• the consequence of the use of hormonal drugs.

Diagnostics of the mastodynia

Examination of a woman complaining about mastodinia begins with examination and palpation of the mammary glands. Diagnosis is carried out after the termination of menstruation. To determine the hormonal cause of the onset of painful sensations, a blood test is performed that will show the level of sex hormones. Women, over 40, the mammologist necessarily sends to mammography and ultrasound, and those who do not have 40 - only on ultrasound, as a rule. If the result of these studies indicates the presence of neoplasms, the patient will also need to undergo a biopsy procedure.

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Treatment of the mastodynia

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

Women complaining about mastodynia are usually recommended:

1. Abandon the use of products containing caffeine, because they affect the development of fibrous tissue. These include coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa and Coca-Cola.
2. Maximally diversify your diet with foods rich in fiber and vitamins A, C, E and B, but fat food and alcohol should be discarded. This contributes to the normalization of the liver and the withdrawal of excess estrogens from the body of a woman.
3. It is correct to choose a bra: it should be of appropriate shape, size, and, in no case, do not squeeze the breast. For women with large breasts, wearing this toilet item is mandatory.

In addition, if mastodinia is caused by premenstrual syndrome, it is recommended to use diuretics several days before the start of menstruation, for example, herbal teas and fresh pumpkin. This will prevent swelling. From table salt it is better to refuse, thus to fill a lack of potassium and magnesium it is possible by means of oat porridges and broth of a dogrose.

The swelling of the breast with mastodinia can be caused by circulatory disorders. To eliminate them, doctors also recommend the use of preparations of vitamin P and foods rich in it - citrus fruits, dog rose, black currant 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 psychoemotional conditions. To maintain peace of mind in stressful situations, you can use such mild sedatives as a motherwort or valerian tincture.

Mastodynia, caused by hormonal imbalance, is treated with hormone therapy. It can include such drugs:

1. Antiestrogens that block estrogen receptors in the mammary glands, for example, phareston. The effect is observed already during the first month after the start of treatment. The drug is taken on 20 mg from the fifth to the twenty-fifth day of the cycle (daily - if the cycle is irregular, with menopause).
2. Means of oral contraception. With the choice of a suitable remedy, the attending physician should help. He will take into account the age of the patient, the severity of symptoms and hormonal disorder, and will recommend the appropriate 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 a practically absent androgenic effect. I would like to add that it is possible to take hormone therapy medications only according to the doctor's prescription, because their selection should be based on the results of laboratory diagnostics and be optimal for a particular patient.

Treatment of mastodynia with alternative means

Above, a little has been said about non-drug treatment methods of mastodynia. Let us dwell in more detail on alternative means that help to eliminate painful sensations and swelling of the mammary glands.

In cases where the occurrence of pain is cyclical, a few days before the expected occurrence of symptoms of mastodynia, it is recommended to start taking the products containing the common rod extract. This plant, popularly called "Abraham tree", or "wild pepper", lowers the level of prolactin, thereby contributing to the harmonization of the hormonal background in PMS. You can find it in pharmacies. Drops or tablets containing the extract must be taken in accordance with the instructions in the instructions to them. It should be noted that this method is contraindicated in women suffering from mastodia during pregnancy or lactation.

Another effective alternative is herbal tea made from a mixture of St. John's wort leaves, dandelion roots, cuffs and nettle leaves. Collection can be prepared independently from pre-dried plants, mixing them in equal proportions, or purchased at the pharmacy. To make it, you need to make a teaspoon of the collection 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.

When mastodinia caused by pregnancy or lactation, you need to be especially careful in choosing alternative medicine. Safe method is a compress of mashed cabbage leaves. They need to be applied to the chest under a comfortable bra. As soon as the puffiness subsides, the compresses should be stopped.

Some women suffering from mastodynia, help curd masks: fat-free curd half-centimeter layer is laid out on the chest and covered with a napkin made of natural tissue. If the window is a cold season, the breast should be wrapped in a woolen cloth.

When self-medication is an alternative means, it is important to listen to the body's reaction to them. Even if the measures taken were sufficient to relieve the painful sensations, do not forget to tell them at the reception of your gynecologist.

Prevention

The basis for preventing the appearance of mastodynia is:

1. Wearing the "right bra" - comfortable, the right size and sewn from natural fabric.
2. Compliance with the rules of healthy eating: the rejection of caffeinated foods, alcohol and fatty foods, reducing the consumption of salt.
3. Non-supercooling. Protect your chest from direct sunlight.
4. Avoid situations that involve nervous tension and stress.
5. Prevention of traumatization of mammary glands.

In addition, an obligatory preventive measure is the monthly independent palpation of the breast on the 5th-6th day of the menstrual cycle. Feel the chest lying, starting with the nipples and moving in a circle. If the woman feels the tightening, she should immediately see a doctor.

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Forecast

Usually the prognosis is favorable: painful sensations are experienced with medical treatment. If the cause of pain lies in the presence of neoplasms in the mammary glands, the forecast of mastodynia depends on the success of the treatment of the latter.

Remember, no matter what the reasons for mastodynia, excessive excitement only aggravate the situation. Keep your peace of mind, listen to your body and stay healthy!

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