Do your breasts feel lumpy, painful and tender, especially at that time of month? Don't worry, not all lumps are cancerous.
It's possible you may have a common condition known as fibrocystic breast disease.
Also known as benign breast disease or mammary dysplasia, this is a condition caused by changes in breast tissue.
It is characterized by dense, noncancerous lumps that can cause pain and tenderness, especially before your menstrual cycle.
Causes: Fibrocystic disease is so common that 50 percent of women may develop it at some time in their lives, although it is rarer in menopausal women.
This has led doctors to speculate that is not a disease at all, but merely a harmless condition caused by hormonal changes.
The fluid retention that accompanies hormonal changes before menstruation is well known.
What is less well known is that these changes may also lead to fluid accumulation in the breasts of some women.
These may develop into lumpy or painful fluid-filled cysts or into nodules called fibroadenomas.
The cause of fibrocystic disease is not really well known, and there are a number of theories being bandied about, ranging from high estrogen levels, hormonal fluctuations and genetic predisposition to excess caffeine, sugar and dietary fat.
Some even blame brassiere use for causing this condition, although there is little real evidence to support it.
Diagnosis: While most lumps will turn out to be noncancerous, it is best to get tested by your OB/GYN professional and find out for sure.
Your doctor can perform a breast exam and do a mammogram to identify changes.
A biopsy may be performed by aspirating tissue from the lump through a thin needle.
An examination of the cells will reveal if the lump is benign or cancerous.
Treatments: There are a number of self-care methods that you can use to alleviate the symptoms.
Eliminating or cutting down on caffeine intake, restricting dietary fat and sugar may help.
Performing monthly self-examinations can help you monitor changes.
As far as wearing a bra is concerned, there are conflicting theories.
While some experts recommend that a well-fitting bra can decrease pain and provide support, others blame these very garments for causing this condition by cutting off circulation and preventing the drainage of toxins from the lymph nodes.
You could avoid wearing a bra for a while to see if it makes any difference to your condition.
Nutritional therapies such as Vitamin B6, E, herbs and essential fatty acids, such as those found in evening primrose oil, may help regulate fat metabolism and promote hormonal balance.
Some women benefit from taking birth control pills or applying a natural progesterone cream to the bust.
If your condition is severe, danazol or Tamoxifen may be prescribed.
It's best to use a holistic treatment protocol that combines a healthy diet with self-care methods.
Your OB/GYN professional can teach you self-examination techniques so you can monitor yourself for changes.
If you're a woman over 40, you should also get regular mammograms.
Fibrocystic breast disease does not increase your risk of developing cancer, but because it can make the detection of cancerous lumps more difficult, is important to get your regular check-ups to rule out any changes that occur with time.
It's possible you may have a common condition known as fibrocystic breast disease.
Also known as benign breast disease or mammary dysplasia, this is a condition caused by changes in breast tissue.
It is characterized by dense, noncancerous lumps that can cause pain and tenderness, especially before your menstrual cycle.
Causes: Fibrocystic disease is so common that 50 percent of women may develop it at some time in their lives, although it is rarer in menopausal women.
This has led doctors to speculate that is not a disease at all, but merely a harmless condition caused by hormonal changes.
The fluid retention that accompanies hormonal changes before menstruation is well known.
What is less well known is that these changes may also lead to fluid accumulation in the breasts of some women.
These may develop into lumpy or painful fluid-filled cysts or into nodules called fibroadenomas.
The cause of fibrocystic disease is not really well known, and there are a number of theories being bandied about, ranging from high estrogen levels, hormonal fluctuations and genetic predisposition to excess caffeine, sugar and dietary fat.
Some even blame brassiere use for causing this condition, although there is little real evidence to support it.
Diagnosis: While most lumps will turn out to be noncancerous, it is best to get tested by your OB/GYN professional and find out for sure.
Your doctor can perform a breast exam and do a mammogram to identify changes.
A biopsy may be performed by aspirating tissue from the lump through a thin needle.
An examination of the cells will reveal if the lump is benign or cancerous.
Treatments: There are a number of self-care methods that you can use to alleviate the symptoms.
Eliminating or cutting down on caffeine intake, restricting dietary fat and sugar may help.
Performing monthly self-examinations can help you monitor changes.
As far as wearing a bra is concerned, there are conflicting theories.
While some experts recommend that a well-fitting bra can decrease pain and provide support, others blame these very garments for causing this condition by cutting off circulation and preventing the drainage of toxins from the lymph nodes.
You could avoid wearing a bra for a while to see if it makes any difference to your condition.
Nutritional therapies such as Vitamin B6, E, herbs and essential fatty acids, such as those found in evening primrose oil, may help regulate fat metabolism and promote hormonal balance.
Some women benefit from taking birth control pills or applying a natural progesterone cream to the bust.
If your condition is severe, danazol or Tamoxifen may be prescribed.
It's best to use a holistic treatment protocol that combines a healthy diet with self-care methods.
Your OB/GYN professional can teach you self-examination techniques so you can monitor yourself for changes.
If you're a woman over 40, you should also get regular mammograms.
Fibrocystic breast disease does not increase your risk of developing cancer, but because it can make the detection of cancerous lumps more difficult, is important to get your regular check-ups to rule out any changes that occur with time.
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