It is important for women to understand their breasts and how they work and to know what signs to look for that something is wrong. Even if your only intent right now is to increase the size of your breasts, you should be aware of any changes that might occur. Your health is of vital importance, and it is crucial that the proper precautions are taken. Learn of the possible conditions, prevent them, and stay consistent with your check-ups.
One common condition that many women suffer from is fibrocystic breasts and we will cover this in depth in the next couple of articles.
A fibrocystic breast is one that has tissue which often feels lumpy and this condition is often referred to as glandular breast tissue. Many women have this condition and the majority of women will suffer from this at some time in their life. This isn’t really classed as a disease but a condition and doctors now refer to it as having fibrocystic breasts.
Fibrocystic Breast Condition
Changes in a woman’s breast are normal but they can sometimes cause breast pain, breast tenderness and you may notice lumps in your breasts. Normally, this condition is the most annoying just before your menstrual period. Simple treatment that you can do at home will normally relieve any symptoms.
If you do experience continual pain or if your condition becomes worse, you may want to get checked out at your doctor’s office. They will perform an examination to see if there is anything to be concerned about and to try and determine what the cause of your discomfort is.
Symptoms of Fibrocystic Breasts
Some of the symptoms of fibrocystic breasts include the following:
- Breast lumps – sometimes they will change size.
- Breast tenderness and pain.
- Discharge from your nipples which is green or dark brown.
- Changes which happen in both breasts.
- Changes in breast pain just before your period.
Fibrocystic breast symptoms are usually confined to women in the age range of 20 – 50 years old. It is very uncommon for women to experience this after menopause but there have been some links associated to the use of hormone therapy.
Visit your Doctor for Normal Catch-Ups
While it is normal to experience these changes, there may come a time when you will want to visit your doctor for a check-up. We would suggest doing this if your breast lumps change in any way or if they don’t decrease after your period.
Presently, an exact cause of fibrocystic breasts isn’t known, but research suggests that it can be linked to estrogen levels in your body. If you notice unexplained changes or pain that does not go away, book an appointment with your doctor.
Quite often, the symptoms of fibrocystic breasts come from your hormone levels and the way they change each month. Most women will experience sore breasts which are sometimes swollen and even tender around the time of their menstrual period. Often there is an increase in the days preceding your period and this is perfectly normal and things should clear up once your period begins.
You can read part 2 of the Fibrocystic Breast Information series – here!
Common Questions
Fibrocystic breasts themselves don’t increase cancer risk, but the condition may make it harder to detect lumps. Regular check-ups are crucial.
Limiting caffeine and reducing saturated fats may alleviate symptoms. Consult your doctor for personalized advice.
It’s a manageable condition, not a disease. Symptoms can often be relieved with at-home treatments, but seek medical advice for persistent issues.
Symptoms include breast lumps changing size, tenderness, pain, nipple discharge, and changes related to the menstrual cycle. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.
