How can mastalgia be treated? Mammalgia. Drugs for the treatment of chest pain - gallery
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Mastalgia affects the quality of life, as it manifests itself as pain in the mammary glands. Pathology occurs in girls who are regularly exposed to stress. Sometimes mastalgia is associated with hormonal imbalance, a malignant tumor, or taking medications. The disease is quite insidious: the main symptom, chest discomfort, can become chronic.
Cyclic mastalgia occurs against the background of hormonal imbalance. The development of acyclic is associated with the anatomy of the mammary gland. Acyclic mastalgia is often associated with chest trauma. A possible reason is surgery. Discomfort in the mammary glands associated with cyclic mastalgia appears as a result of taking oral contraceptives. This type of disease can occur in girls who have taken drugs to treat infertility. Drugs that cause mastalgia contain estrogen and progesterone. An excess of these hormones leads to disease.
Other causes of mastalgia:
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- thrombophlebitis disease;
- damage to the thoracic ligaments;
- taking antidepressants.
If you experience chest pain, you should consult a doctor. If, during a comprehensive diagnosis, the exact cause was established, for example, some pathology, the specialist excludes the possibility of a tumor. There are times when the doctor cannot determine the cause of the pain. Then differential diagnosis is carried out. A malignant tumor does not make itself felt for a long time. Chest pain occurs in severe stages of cancer.
Clinical picture
The patient feels pain in the mammary gland. Discomfort varies in intensity and is localized at different points. Some women have mild pain, others have severe pain. One or both glands are involved in the pathological process. In the initial stages, a compaction is formed that is not associated with the cycle. This is what causes discomfort in the chest. Breast mastalgia requires timely treatment, as the tumor can become malignant. The disease is often compared to mastopathy.
Mastalgia affects girls from 15 to 30 years old, as well as women from 40 to 55 years old. If pain appears during the menstrual period, it goes away after 5 - 7 days. In some situations, mastalgia indicates a hormonal imbalance, in others - a malignant tumor. In this regard, it is necessary to diagnose the disease in time and begin professional therapy.
Types of pain with mastalgia
Chest pain has different origins.
- Cyclic. It is associated with menstruation. Cyclic pain is usually dull but intense. A woman feels discomfort in the middle of her chest. Sometimes the discomfort radiates to the armpit area. Cyclical pain is often associated with hormone use.
- Acyclic pain. In this case, the discomfort is not related to menstruation. Acyclic pain is diagnosed in patients who have crossed the forty-year mark. Discomfort appears in the center of the chest. It differs in type, i.e. it can be constant or variable. Acyclic pain is usually sharp and one-sided. The factor is the presence of fibroadenoma. In some patients, acyclic pain is associated with a cyst.
- Pain syndrome with mastitis. Discomfort is accompanied by weakness, malaise, and fever. Mastitis, like other gynecological pathologies, requires treatment, otherwise mastalgia with chronic pain syndrome occurs.
- Malignant breast tumor. To detect breast cancer, differential diagnosis should be carried out. Without a comprehensive examination, the tumor can be mistaken for mastalgia. A malignant formation is characterized by pain in the upper part of the gland. The patient should examine the breasts herself, then consult a doctor. If a lump is detected, you must visit a gynecologist.
Diagnostics
The patient must report the symptoms that bother her, as well as concomitant ailments. The doctor performs a physical examination. Instrumental diagnostics are required to confirm the disease. The following procedures are prescribed.
- Ultrasound. Ultrasound examination is safe. The procedure can be performed during pregnancy and lactation. Ultrasound can detect a tumor, but in some cases additional techniques must be used.
- X-ray and mammography. The procedures help to identify pathological changes in the structures of the mammary gland. Mammography is prescribed for patients over 35 years of age.
- Aspiration biopsy. The manipulation is carried out to determine the tumor. Aspiration biopsy involves puncture of tissue structures and further sending for cytological examination.
- Microwave radiotherapy. This examination method allows us to identify abnormalities characteristic of cancer.
- Microwave radiothermometry. The procedure is carried out in a specialized room and strictly according to indications.
- Analysis of sex hormones. Thanks to this study, the doctor identifies the level of hormones in the body.
Treatment of mastalgia should be comprehensive. It is important to treat concomitant diseases.
Treatment
If the disease is not associated with a malignant tumor, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Aspirin). Treatment may require oral contraceptives. However, they often lead to pain and cause mastalgia. The doctor recommends medications containing magnesium. They are taken 15 days before the menstrual cycle. Preparations with microelements eliminate pain and reduce the severity of inflammation. The patient is advised to go on a diet. Fat intake should be reduced. To overcome the disease, you must follow all the doctor’s instructions.
Description of drugs
Before prescribing a medicine, the doctor identifies the characteristics of the body. If the patient is hypersensitive to the components of the drug, a safer analogue is recommended. The following medications are used to treat mastalgia.
Bromocriptine
The medicine is prescribed for gynecological diseases. It inhibits the secretion of prolactin and stimulates dopamine receptors. Bromocriptine can be prescribed for the treatment of neurological pathology and diseases of the endocrine system. The drug restores menstruation and ovulation. It is used to prevent tumors. Bromocriptine normalizes estrogen levels and also eliminates pain. Possible side symptoms: nausea, vomiting, malaise. Some patients experience headaches. To avoid adverse reactions, Bromocriptine should be taken with caution. An overdose is characterized by impaired visual functions. The drug is not prescribed to pregnant women, as well as to patients suffering from hypertension. Bromocriptine is not recommended for nursing mothers.
Aspirin
The medicine is prescribed for gynecological pathologies accompanied by pain. Aspirin has an analgesic and antipyretic effect. The drug relieves mild and severe pain. Provides prevention of thrombosis. Dosages are strictly individual. In rare cases, the medicine leads to intoxication. To avoid side effects, you should adhere to the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Some patients experience the following side symptoms: nausea, confusion, profuse sweating, acidosis. In case of poisoning, symptomatic therapy is carried out. The goal of therapeutic measures is also to restore the acid-base balance. If severe intoxication is diagnosed, the doctor prescribes hemodialysis. The drug may cause side effects from the gastrointestinal tract and hematopoietic system. If the patient is allergic to the components of aspirin, you should stop taking it.
Naproxen
The medicine is available in the form of tablets and rectal suppositories. For mastalgia, tablets are recommended. The drug has an analgesic and antipyretic effect. It inhibits the migration of leukocytes and also suppresses the activity of lysosomes. Active substances are excreted naturally. The maximum concentration in blood plasma is observed 2 hours after administration. Naproxen is prescribed for inflammatory diseases and pathologies associated with the musculoskeletal system. Indications for use are also cancer. Dosages are individual. Naproxen can cause side effects for mastalgia: nausea, vomiting, migraine, ringing in the ears, malaise, gastrointestinal upset. The medication is not prescribed to women who have bronchial asthma or nasal polyposis. Naproxen is prohibited during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The pills are also not prescribed to girls under 16 years of age.
Progestin-KR
The medicine is prescribed for tumors. Indications for use: benign mastopathy, mastalgia. Progestin-KR is a gel. When using the product, you must follow the dosage. It is applied in a thin layer to cleansed skin. If the patient has hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, you should stop using it.
Ibuprofen
The drug has analgesic and antipyretic effects. The active components inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins. Ibuprofen is quickly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and eliminated naturally. The maximum concentration in the blood is observed 100 minutes after administration. Metabolism occurs in the liver. Half-life is observed after 2 hours. Ibuprofen is prescribed for pathologies accompanied by pain.
If mastalgia occurs against the background of tissue inflammation, which causes the patient to feel severe discomfort, the doctor prescribes this medication. Ibuprofen helps overcome headaches. Despite its effectiveness, it can have side effects: nausea, diarrhea, allergies, visual impairment. Rare, severe complications include bronchospasm and internal bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract. Ibuprofen has contraindications. It is not prescribed for ulcers and gastrointestinal erosions.
Contraindications include diseases of the hematopoietic system, as well as pathologies affecting the optic nerve. If a woman has hypersensitivity to one of the components of the medicine, you should stop taking it. Ibuprofen may be prescribed during pregnancy. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.
If you take Ibuprofen and Furosemide at the same time, the effect of the latter will decrease. Ibuprofen enhances the effects of anticoagulant drugs. Overdose is characterized by impaired consciousness. Nausea, vomiting occurs, migraine or tachycardia occurs, and blood pressure decreases. In case of poisoning, you should take activated carbon and consult a doctor.
Pregnant women and women over 40 years of age should pay special attention to their health. If breast discomfort occurs, you should immediately contact a mammologist. The specialist will conduct a comprehensive examination, establish a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate therapy.
Folk remedies
These remedies are effective in the initial stages of the disease.
- Recipe No. 1. Make a vegetable compress. Take fresh beets and chop them, add a tablespoon of honey, mix, spread the resulting mass on cabbage leaves. The mixture should absorb the vegetable juice. The medicine is applied to the surface of the chest and left for 12 hours. It is recommended to carry out the procedure at night. Most patients find this compress inconvenient, but it helps eliminate the symptoms of mastalgia. Beets in combination with honey and cabbage juice promote the resorption of seals.
- Recipe No. 2. Dishormonal mastalgia is treated with burdock juice. It is recommended to use it in spring or summer. You should tear the plant, grind it in a blender, strain and take 10 g twice a day.
- Recipe No. 3. Take 200 g of black elderberry and mix with 100 g of sugar. The drug is taken 10 - 20 g 3 times a day. It, in combination with other medications, relieves pain.
Comprehensive prevention
To avoid mastalgia and other gynecological diseases, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is worth giving up bad habits. Moderate physical activity is recommended for women. Physical inactivity often leads to pathologies. You should avoid stress and take a good rest from work. Sleep must be sound. It is important to normalize your diet. It is recommended to limit fats, smoked foods, and sweets. Dishes should be moderately salty. Include in your diet foods that are rich in vitamins and valuable microelements. If the body receives enough iodine, magnesium and zinc, the organs function better and the immune system becomes stronger.
It is worth fighting excess weight. Vegetables and fruits are recommended for women who suffer from this problem. It is prohibited to over-salt dishes. The fact is that salt slows down the metabolism, which is why the mammary glands swell. Your lifestyle should be adjusted. It is necessary to fight excess weight, as it predisposes to mastalgia. Adipose tissue accumulates estrogen. If there is a lot of this hormone in the body, the mammary glands swell and pain appears.
Physical education is recommended. Sports exercises help normalize blood flow. They improve well-being during mastalgia and reduce the severity of pain. You need to take care of your liver. The health of other internal organs depends on its condition. It is not recommended to wear tight underwear. Sports bras with padded straps are ideal.
The patient should not self-medicate. Before using medications, you should consult your doctor. It is important to establish the exact cause of mastalgia. If the patient follows preventive measures and undergoes a timely examination by a mammologist, she will be able to avoid breast disease.
Mastalgia has a favorable prognosis. However, the cyclic form requires urgent treatment, otherwise malignancy occurs (tumor cells become malignant). Signs of mastalgia are pain in the mammary glands, swelling and redness of the skin. Proper treatment will help eliminate pain and other manifestations of a purely female disease.
Mastodynia is regular or constant pain in the mammary glands, which is triggered by changes in the level of female sex hormones in the blood or certain diseases of the mammary glands and other organs. If the cause is hormonal fluctuations, then such pain is cyclical and depends on the menstrual cycle.
The condition is not critical and can develop not only as a pathology, but also as a result of physiological changes in the body. However, it can cause physiological discomfort to a woman and interfere with work, socialization and normal life.
Mastodynia is also called mastalgia.
Table of contents:Total information
Soreness of the mammary glands is one of the most common complaints in women of reproductive (childbearing) age. Almost all females experience such pain at least once in their lives. It was also revealed that every second woman experiences pain in the mammary glands on the eve of menstruation.
Mastodynia mainly affects patients aged 20 to 40 years, who have abnormalities in their gynecological history in the form of irregular sex life, gynecological pathologies, as well as those women who have not given birth or have given birth only once. If pain in the mammary glands appears after 40 years, it is often caused by organic diseases of the mammary glands.
Causes
Mastodynia can bother:
- during changes in the female body, which are considered a physiological norm;
- for various pathologies of the female genital organs, mammary glands and some other organs.
When assessing the patient’s pain, it is necessary to take into account her age - for example, in the puberty period (), the described pain occurs during the maturation of the mammary glands, which occurs under the influence of estrogens.
It has been revealed that the majority of women of childbearing age who experience mastodynia do not have any pathological diseases of the mammary glands or gynecological area - pain occurs as a result of changes in hormonal levels.
Physiological mastodynia, which is not regarded as a pathology, can occur in conditions such as:
- – release of a mature egg from the ovary;
- taking (contraceptives);
During ovulation the mammary gland undergoes periodic (cyclic) changes caused by the action of female sex hormones and aimed at preparing the mammary gland for future breastfeeding of the child (if conception, gestation and childbirth take place). On the other hand, mastodynia in this case can act as a manifestation of psycho-emotional, vegetative-vascular and metabolic-endocrine changes that can occur 2-10 days before menstruation.
Upon admission oral contraceptives
regulating the menstrual cycle, mastodynia is one of the side effects. In this case, the same cyclic changes occur in the breast tissue as during ovulation. Usually, over the course of 2-3 months, the body adapts to the intake of oral contraceptives, due to which the pain weakens or disappears altogether.
If a woman is the owner large mammary glands , pain occurs due to the influence of gravity (universal gravitation), due to which the glands are “pulled” down, their tissues become tense, and a painful sensation occurs.
Mastodynia may occur due to a more prosaic reason - compression of the mammary glands by an uncomfortable bra, blouse, jacket or other item of clothing, but this is more of a social and everyday aspect than a medical one. Such wardrobe elements may be uncomfortable due to:
- improper tailoring;
- smaller than required for a bust.
Fashion often dictates the rules - in order to emphasize the aesthetics and sexuality of the mammary glands, they choose a bra to specifically compress and lift them, and this provokes pain. Such nuances need to be clarified before suspecting a woman of any disease that can provoke the development of mastodynia.
The described condition is formed as a pathology with shifts in:
- mammary gland;
- other organs.
The development of mastodynia due to breast pathology can be provoked by:
- hormonal disorders;
- injuries;
- inflammatory processes;
- tumor processes.
Mastodynia due to hormonal disorders can occur with diseases and pathological conditions such as:
- – inflammatory damage to the ovaries;
- – formation in the form of a cavity with liquid;
- – a pathology in which endometrial cells (the inner layer of the uterus) grow in other organs and tissues;
- pathology of the hypothalamic-pituitary region - a zone of the brain that performs regulatory functions.
Also, pain in the mammary glands can occur with endocrinopathies that do not affect the female genital area.
Mastodynia of a traumatic nature most often occurs in this organ.
note
Of the inflammatory processes, the most common cause of pain in the mammary gland is mastitis - an inflammatory lesion of its tissues.
Pain also acts as one of the symptoms of neoplastic processes in the mammary gland (proliferation of its tissues) - often these are:
- – benign changes that occur due to hormonal imbalance;
- most benign tumors;
- – malignant neoplasm of epithelial cells.
Of the diseases of other organs, the background for the formation of pain in the mammary glands most often becomes:
- – dystrophic changes in intervertebral discs;
- – pain due to damage to the intercostal nerves;
- – muscle pain;
- Tietze's syndrome - inflammation at the attachment point of the ribs to the sternum;
- heart diseases;
- liver diseases;
- hysteria - a pronounced manifestation of emotions;
- – depressed state with elements of suspiciousness;
- – depressed psychological state.
In the last three cases, mastodynia occurs in the absence of hormonal or organic changes in organs and tissues.
Development of the condition
Pain in physiological mastodynia occurs due to changes in the tissue of the mammary gland, which develop due to the action of female sex hormones. In this case, it has a particularly pronounced effect.
During the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle (this is the period of time from the moment of ovulation until the next physiological uterine bleeding), active proliferation of epithelial cells of the mammary glands occurs, and fluid is retained in the stroma (the connective tissue base on which the glandular tissue of the mammary gland rests). As a result of this, the following processes occur:
- the mammary glands swell;
- nerve endings are compressed;
- pain syndrome occurs.
In the case of non-physiological mastodynia, pain may occur due to the fact that the nerve endings are irritated by metabolic products (tissue metabolism), which are formed during various pathological processes in the mammary glands:
- inflammatory;
- necrotic;
- tumor
When a tumor forms, pain occurs due to the fact that it puts pressure on surrounding tissues.
There are several variants of mastodynia:
- cyclic (also called functional or true);
- acyclic;
- false (its other names are reflected and irradiating).
The cyclic version of mastodynia occurs in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. It is characteristic of conditions such as:
- physiological ovulation;
- dysplastic (consisting in a failure of tissue development) processes in the mammary gland of a dishormonal nature. They develop in mastopathy;
- taking oral contraceptives.
The acyclic variant of mastodynia is formed in various pathologies of the mammary glands. In this case, pain occurs regardless of the menstrual cycle. Its appearance is observed in diseases and conditions such as:
- damage to breast tissue as a result of trauma (including during various medical procedures);
- inflammatory processes;
- tumor processes;
- sclerotic growths;
- developmental defects.
A false version of mastodynia is observed with disorders of other organs and systems. Most often this is:
- spinal lesions;
- joint diseases;
- heart pathologies;
- radicular syndrome (back pain due to compression of the spinal roots).
Symptoms of mastodynia
Manifestations of cyclic mastodynia are:
- pain in the mammary glands;
- feeling of discomfort;
- enlargement of the mammary glands;
- increasing their sensitivity.
The most common manifestations of cyclic mastodynia are pain and discomfort.
Characteristics of pain:
![](https://i2.wp.com/okeydoc.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/protivozachatochnye-uvelichivayut-grud-300x300.jpg)
note
A characteristic symptom is “tight underwear” - the mammary gland, swelling, increases in size, so the underwear may seem tight, it squeezes the gland.
Increased tactile (touch) sensitivity is observed from:
- pacifier;
- areolas;
- skin of the mammary glands.
Unpleasant sensations appear simultaneously in both mammary glands. It is characteristic that if there is an additional lobe of the mammary gland, then a feeling of discomfort and pain also appears in it.
Signs of acyclic mastodynia may include:
![](https://i1.wp.com/okeydoc.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/zheltye-vydelenija-300x300.jpg)
The characteristics of pain will be somewhat different than with cyclic mastodynia - they are:
- periodic or constant;
- of different severity;
- most often occur in one mammary gland.
False mastodynia is characterized by symptoms of damage to other organs:
- strengthening the tone of the back muscles;
- pain along the intercostal spaces due to disorders of the spine;
- changes in blood pressure and heart rate in heart disease
Diagnostics
The main task is to find out whether pain in the mammary glands occurs due to mastodynia or organic disorders of the glands. Therefore, in addition to the patient’s complaints and medical history, a broad examination of the patient using a whole range of instrumental and laboratory methods is important.
The physical examination is as follows:
- upon examination, the shape, contours, size, symmetry of the mammary glands, the condition of the skin, the presence or absence of discharge are assessed;
- by palpation (palpation) - the soreness and skin sensitivity of the mammary gland, the consistency of the tissues, the presence or absence of formations are determined.
In the instrumental diagnosis of mastodynia, the leading one is a set of methods for examining the mammary gland. The following methods are used:
- x-ray mammography – an x-ray is taken in two or three projections;
- ultrasound mammography – it allows you to assess the condition of breast tissue and identify hyperplastic changes (growths) in them;
- tomosynthesis – allows you to create two-dimensional images of the mammary gland and evaluate its internal structure;
- magnetic resonance (MRI) mammography – a technique for obtaining a tomographic image of the breast;
- optical mammography is the study of the condition of the gland using optical equipment.
In addition, the following are performed:
- – sampling of breast tissue with subsequent examination under a microscope;
- radiothermometry of the mammary gland - determination of the temperature of its skin and tissues;
- computed tomography (CT) – computer slices help to obtain detailed information about the condition of the breast tissue;
- (MRI) – the goals and capabilities are the same as CT;
- electrical impedance mammography – study of electrical conductivity of breast tissue;
- – the patient is injected with pharmaceuticals containing radioisotopes, which accumulate in the breast tissue and, when scanned with a tomograph, create a color image, from which a conclusion is drawn about the condition of the tissue.
Laboratory tests that are informative are:
![](https://i2.wp.com/okeydoc.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/22979-300x300.jpg)
It is also important to consult related specialists - a neurologist, cardiologist, vertebrologist and others. To clarify the diagnosis of pathologies that could lead to pain in the mammary glands, they will prescribe the necessary instrumental and laboratory research methods.
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis of mastodynia is often carried out with such diseases and pathological conditions as:
- fibrocystic mastopathy;
- various tumors – benign and malignant;
- – inflammatory lesions of the mammary glands;
- involutive changes – age-related withering of the mammary glands;
- extramammary lesions (diseases of other organs).
Complications
Complications of physiological mastodynia as such are not observed; due to the pain syndrome, the following are possible:
![](https://i0.wp.com/okeydoc.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cancerophobia.jpg.pagespeed.ce_.FsBfIFU3T9-300x300.jpg)
More significant are the complications that arose due to untimely detection and inadequate treatment of organic pathologies, against the background of which pain in the mammary glands arose. Such complications depend on the type of pathology - for example, for cancer it can be:
- cancer intoxication – poisoning of the body by products of decay and vital activity of cancer cells;
- cancer cachexia - depletion of the body
and many others.
Treatment mastodynia
If it is determined that mastodynia is physiological, prescriptions are made aimed at eliminating or reducing the discomfort in the mammary glands that occurs due to changes in hormonal levels. Based on the appointments:
Sedatives are indicated if manifestations of mastodynia are:
- significant mood swings;
- tendency to anxious and hypochondriacal reactions.
If the manifestations of such signs are insignificant, they are limited to the prescription of herbs with sedative properties (motherwort, peony) and their preparations.
Analgesics are prescribed for severe pain. In this case, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used, which have an analgesic effect.
Diuretics are prescribed because pain occurs due to fluid retention in the breast tissue. In this case they use:
- potassium-sparing diuretics with antiandrogenic properties;
- herbal preparations.
Vitamins and minerals are used in the form of complexes.
Of the physiotherapeutic methods in the treatment of mastodynia, the following have proven themselves well:
- electrophoresis;
- magnetic therapy;
- galvanization;
- balneotherapy.
With acyclic mastodynia, the underlying disease is treated, which provoked the occurrence of pain in the mammary glands.
Disorders of a nervous or psychogenic nature that lead to mastodynia are treated not only with medications, but also by creating a favorable psychological background. So, if a woman likes to travel, she should immediately buy a plane ticket - very often such actions are more effective than any medications or other prescriptions.
Prevention
To prevent the development of pain in the mammary glands that occurs due to cyclical fluctuations in hormone levels, the following are recommended:
![](https://i1.wp.com/okeydoc.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/21783_900-300x300.png)
To prevent pain arising from non-hormonal disorders, as well as due to diseases of other organs, such disorders and diseases should be prevented, promptly identified and treated. It is also important to choose the right clothes - they should match your bust size.
Forecast
The prognosis for mastodynia depends on its form. With cyclic mastodynia, the prognosis is favorable; with acyclic and false mastodynia, it depends on the disease or pathological condition that provoked the development of pain in the mammary glands.
Pain in the mammary glands is the most common symptom that the vast majority of women experience at least once in their lives. Mastalgia can be associated with the menstrual cycle or pain in the chest occurs against the background of extramammary pathology: in each case, it is necessary to individually select an examination regimen in order to promptly identify conditions and diseases that provoke discomfort in a woman.
One of the frequent complaints made by women at an appointment with a mammologist or gynecologist is mastalgia - pain in the mammary gland. The problem can arise at any period of life, having a negative impact on the usual rhythm of a woman’s life.
Pain syndrome worsens the general condition, reduces physical and social activity, and negatively affects intimate life. The main and most common cause of unpleasant pain is a dishormonal state (violation of the ratio of sex hormones), in which there is a real risk of developing mastopathy. There are 2 groups of types of mastalgia:
- Associated with the mammary glands (cyclic, acyclic);
- Extramammary (pain is caused by diseases in organs and tissues adjacent to the mammary gland).
Premenstrual pain in the mammary gland indicates the cyclical nature of mastalgia (1-2 weeks before the arrival of menstruation, a woman experiences typical symptoms indicating the presence of functional disorders). Constant pain without reference to menstruation (non-cyclical pain) indicates the possibility of pathology in the heart or spine.
Hello. Every month, 8-10 days before the arrival of my period, my chest hurts. On the eve of menstruation, the pain increases sharply. And this happened for 3 cycles already. What to do? Svetlana, 38 years old.
Hello Svetlana. You describe a typical variant of cyclic mastodynia (mastalgia before menstruation), which can occur against the background of endocrine disorders and gynecological diseases. You need to see a doctor and get a mammogram. The main goal is to identify pathology of the mammary glands (mastopathy). If there are no serious problems, the doctor will prescribe treatment that will help relieve premenstrual pain.
Mastalgia and mastodynia - what is the difference?
There are 2 main terms used to refer to typical chest pain. Mastalgia and mastodynia are synonyms: the first is more often used as a colloquial option, the second is designated in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10 code N64.4). Regardless of the name, breast pain can be:
- one-sided or two-sided;
- diffuse or focal;
- cyclical or constant.
The following criteria are important for diagnosis:
- woman's age;
- number of births and abortions in the past;
- possible presence of pregnancy (chest pain with a delay in menstruation is a physiological condition);
- last day of menstruation (or number of years of menopause);
- clear and detailed description of pain;
- the presence of general and gynecological diseases.
The main goal of a doctor with mastodynia is to make an accurate diagnosis and identify signs of dangerous diseases, related or unrelated to the breast.
Hello. Is there any difference between mastalgia and mastodynia? Nina, 20 years old.
Hello Nina. There is no fundamental difference between these terms: both options indicate the presence of pain in the mammary glands associated with the cycle or acting constantly, regardless of menstruation.
Typical symptoms of mastalgia
When describing mastodynia, you must accurately and in detail tell the doctor about the severity of unpleasant and painful sensations, indicating the following signs:
- heaviness in one breast or in both mammary glands;
- dull or aching constant pain;
- sharp shooting;
- pinpoint stabbing sensations;
- pain occurs only when the chest is squeezed or touched;
- presence of irradiation (referred pain) to the shoulder, shoulder blade or neck;
- reduction in intensity or complete elimination of pain when taking the drug.
Depending on the description, the doctor will distinguish 4 degrees of severity of mastodynia:
- No pain syndrome;
- Cyclic mastalgia, which does not bother the woman and goes away quickly when taking a painkiller (mild);
- Pain occurs 1 week before menstruation, sharply intensifies on the eve of menstruation, negatively affecting the psycho-emotional background and physical condition of the woman, and is partially eliminated with the help of medications (moderate severity);
- Persistent mastodynia that disrupts a woman’s daily life and cannot be treated at home (severe).
It is important to identify signs of pain in the mammary glands that indicate extramammary pathology. Secondary (not related to dyshormonal problems in the glandular tissue) chest pain can occur under the following conditions:
- cervicothoracic osteochondrosis (vertebrogenic mastalgia);
- mastitis or abscess (inflammatory process with fever);
- intercostal neuralgia;
- myositis (inflammation of the pectoral muscles);
- angina pectoris (left-sided chest pain);
- pathology of the esophagus (hiatal hernia);
- lung diseases (pleurisy).
Regardless of the degree and severity of symptoms, it is necessary to perform a breast examination to exclude dangerous types of breast diseases.
Hello. I have had cervicothoracic osteochondrosis for a long time, I am being observed and treated by a neurologist. In recent months, pain began to appear in the left mammary gland. I’m afraid that it might be a tumor in the chest - I know that then I need to have an operation, so I don’t talk about this pain to the doctor. It's scary to complain and scary when it hurts. Valentina, 62 years old.
Hello, Valentina. The causes of left-sided pain in the mammary gland can be not only tumors, so you need to tell the doctor and get examined. In addition to vertebrogenic mastalgia associated with cervical or thoracic osteochondrosis, you should be wary of angina pectoris (chronic cardiac ischemia), which causes constant or periodic dull pain in the left side of the chest. In any case, being afraid and hiding pain in the mammary gland is much worse for health and life: after consulting a doctor, you need to do everything possible to find out the cause of the pain syndrome and stop being afraid.
In most cases, mastodynia is the first symptom of diffuse or focal mastopathy, requiring special therapy and long-term observation by a doctor.
Hello. My chest and shoulder hurt on one side. After taking the pictures, the doctor sent me to a neurologist. But I’m worried - what if the problem is in the mammary gland? Alina, 41 years old.
Hello, Alina. If the doctor does not see typical changes in the mammary gland after a mammogram, then with a high degree of probability it can be said that there are no problems with the breasts. It often happens that mastalgia is a symptom of osteochondrosis in the chest or neck, but in this case the pain does not arise from changes in the mammary gland, but due to neurological disorders associated with spinal pathology. If after treatment prescribed by a neurologist, the pain disappears, then there is no need to worry - there are no problems with the breasts.
After examination with palpation of the mammary glands and based on the results of an ultrasound scan or mammography, the doctor will make a diagnosis. It is not difficult to cure the initial forms of mastodynia: the best option for correcting cyclic mastalgia of 1-2 degrees is to restore the hormonal balance in the woman’s body. It is better not to use manual massage and ineffective folk remedies so as not to waste time - the sooner adequate therapy is started, the greater the chance of preventing the formation of fibrocystic mastopathy, fibroadenomatosis or a tumor in the breast. You can treat in the following ways:
- cyclic vitamin therapy;
- hormone therapy using special drugs or oral contraceptives;
- targeted therapy - applying a progesterone-containing ointment to the breasts, which specifically affects the breast tissue.
In difficult cases, when grade 3-4 mastalgia occurs against the background of diffuse or nodular mastopathy, the doctor will prescribe medications to treat the underlying disease: eliminating problems with the mammary gland will become the basis for reducing pain.
Mastalgia is an unpleasant symptom that needs to be addressed by a doctor: after examination and identification of the cause of the pain, it is necessary to carefully and accurately follow the doctor’s instructions for the correction of dyshormonal disorders. The prognosis for mastodynia is favorable - with timely treatment and diagnostic measures, there is no need to fear the occurrence of unpleasant and dangerous problems with the breasts.
Hello. An ultrasound revealed my uterine fibroids. Over the past six months, I have been experiencing constant chest pain a week before my period. Should I tell the gynecologist about pain in the mammary glands (maybe this is somehow connected)? Irina, 36 years old.
Hello Irina. Yes, you are right - often gynecological pathology is combined with diseases of the mammary glands. In this case, we can talk about dishormonal mastalgia (chest pain is caused by imbalances in sex hormones). Uterine fibroids also belong to dishormonal conditions. The doctor must be told about the presence of cyclic pain in the mammary glands, so that the doctor prescribes treatment taking into account the combined pathology in the uterus and chest.
ginekolog.guru
What is mastalgia and what to do if your chest hurts?
The problem of early diagnosis and adequate treatment of breast diseases is becoming increasingly urgent. After all, the prevalence of this pathology is steadily growing. According to world medical statistics, 30-70% of women of different ages have diseases of the mammary glands of a non-cancerous nature. The most common reason for visiting a doctor is mastalgia.
What is mastalgia?
The term "mastalgia" is used to describe pain or obvious physical discomfort in the mammary glands. According to medical statistics, about 70% of women experience it during their lifetime. Some of them experience pain quite regularly, while others experience only isolated episodes of mastalgia.
According to ICD-10, mastalgia is coded as “Mastodynia” (N 64.4). It belongs to the section “Other diseases of the breast” and is actually a syndromic diagnosis of exclusion. It should not be confused with mastopathy, which is an independent condition and has its own ICD-10 code.
What is the difference between mastalgia and mastopathy?
The key feature for separating these concepts is the condition of the mammary gland tissue. Mastalgia is a syndrome that can be used as the main diagnosis only in the absence of any diffuse or focal changes. Identification of pathological formations is the basis for changing the diagnosis to a more accurate one, reflecting the real clinical picture.
In this case, mastodynia will be considered only as one of the symptoms of the underlying disease. And the most likely cause of chest pain in this case is mastopathy - benign mammary hyperplasia. The basis for its diagnosis is the detection of focal or diffuse fibrocystic changes.
It is important to understand that a history of mastalgia does not exclude the subsequent development of mastopathy and precancerous conditions, which may not initially produce obvious symptoms. Therefore, patients with already diagnosed mastalgia need to undergo regular preventive examinations with a mammologist or at least with a local obstetrician-gynecologist. And women with primary dyshormonal disorders should also be considered at risk for the development of cancer pathology of the mammary glands, uterus and ovaries.
Main causes of chest pain
The cause of mastalgia can be:
- changes in the glandular tissue of the mammary glands at the end of the natural menstrual cycle under the influence of progesterone;
- taking hormonal drugs for contraceptive, replacement or therapeutic purposes;
- dyshormonal disorders during puberty, in the premenopausal period, after medical or spontaneous abortion;
- pregnancy (especially the first trimester);
- previous operations on the mammary glands;
- any diseases of the mammary glands of an inflammatory and non-inflammatory nature (mastitis, mastopathy, benign and malignant neoplasms, sclerosing adenosis, reactive sclerosis and others);
- radicular syndrome with damage to the thoracic spine;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- Tietze syndrome (Teitz) – chondropathy, manifested by aseptic inflammation of one or more costosternal joints;
- post-traumatic changes.
Hormonally active pituitary tumors, thyroid diseases, and other endocrine disorders predispose to the appearance of pain in the mammary glands.
It is also possible for a woman to experience pain even in the absence of obvious causative factors. This type of mastalgia is called psychogenic.
Types of disease
Currently, cyclic and non-cyclic mastalgia are distinguished. Clarifying the nature of a woman’s pain syndrome is the basis for differential diagnosis, selection of adequate therapy and assessment of the prognosis of the disease.
Cyclic mastalgia
It is caused by the endocrine activity of the ovaries, is associated with the ovarian-menstrual cycle and is part of the structure of the so-called premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Therefore, it is typical only for patients of puberty and reproductive age. The natural decline of sexual function is accompanied by the disappearance of cyclic mastalgia. Removal of the ovaries or suppression of their activity while taking chemotherapy or radiation therapy also leads to the patient’s relief from endocrine mastodynia. If a woman experiences mastalgia for the first time during menopause, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination to exclude a tumor process.
The fact is that the mammary glands are hormonal-dependent organs. Moreover, they are “targets” primarily for sex hormones, the action of each of which has its own characteristics. Other endocrine glands (pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands) have indirect effects, influencing the activity of the ovaries.
Estrogens (hormones of the first phase of the ovarian cycle) provoke proliferative processes. Hyperestogenia is a risk factor for pathological cyst-like proliferation of milk duct tissue and hypertrophy of the mammary gland stroma. But progesterone produced in the second phase of the cycle acts mainly on glandular tissue. It helps to increase the number and size of alveoli, increase the number of its own receptors in the thickness of the mammary glands and increase their sensitivity.
In addition, progesterone affects the general water-mineral metabolism, causing fluid retention in the body. It is these effects that cause the development of PMS, one of the manifestations of which is chest pain.
The severity of cyclic mastalgia may differ in different cycles. This depends on the level and balance of sex hormones, prolactin, the presence of hypovitaminosis and deficiency of fatty acids in food.
Noncyclic mastalgia
It may be associated with local edema or mechanical pushing apart of tissues by a tumor, pathological nerve impulses, excessive irritation of receptors, impaired microcirculation and other factors.
It does not depend on the level of sex hormones and does not change during the ovarian-menstrual cycle.
Clinical picture
The key manifestation of mastalgia is pain. In this case, unpleasant sensations are localized in the area of the mammary glands, although in some conditions a targeted survey can identify other areas of pain.
For example, with vertebrogenic pathology, there are usually signs of muscular-tonic syndrome with uncomfortable tension of certain muscle groups in the back. And with intercostal neuralgia, the pain is girdling in nature and spreads along the intercostal space, which may be accompanied by the appearance of burning herpetic rashes in the affected area.
![](https://i1.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_5.jpg)
Symptoms of mastalgia and what may accompany pain in the chest
With hormonal-dependent mastalgia, a woman is usually bothered by a feeling of heaviness, fullness, a feeling of engorgement and enlargement of the breasts. It is possible that hypersensitivity of the nipples and areolar area may occur. Even touching the skin of the mammary glands sometimes causes discomfort, which may require special care when choosing underwear. Some women also experience pain in the armpit during this period. Its appearance is explained by the presence of an additional lobe of the mammary gland, the tissue of which also undergoes cyclic hormone-dependent changes.
Such symptoms of mastalgia are bilateral, occur several days before the onset of menstruation and stop within 24 hours after the appearance of characteristic bleeding. They can be combined with psycho-emotional and vegetative lability, pastosity of the body and limbs, changes in appetite and other signs of premenstrual syndrome.
For some women, increased chest pain during PMS becomes the first indirect sign of pregnancy, because after conception there is a progressive increase in progesterone production. In this case, the mammary glands can increase in size due to the proliferation of glandular tissue.
If mastalgia is not associated with hormonal changes, the pain experienced by the patient is usually unilateral or asymmetrical. It can be felt as a feeling of local distension, rawness, burning, tingling. In some cases, pain is accompanied by the appearance of a compaction in the thickness of the gland, pathological discharge from the nipple, and a change in the color of the skin over the pathological focus. Inflammation (mastitis) may cause your body temperature to rise.
Necessary examination
Mastalgia is a syndrome that requires a thorough examination of the patient, even in the presence of pronounced PMS. After all, a physiological hormonal imbalance does not exclude the development of tumor-like formations, the symptoms of which can be masked by the cyclic mastodynia inherent in a woman.
The basic examination plan includes:
- Physical examination of the breast and regional lymph nodes. In this case, the doctor evaluates the symmetry of the mammary glands when the woman is positioned with her hands lowered and behind her head, the condition and mobility of the skin, the presence of deformities of the nipples and areolas, and discharge from the nipples. Then sectoral palpation of the tissues and armpits is carried out in various positions of the patient’s body. When seals are identified, their size, mobility, pain and structure are determined.
- Ultrasound of the mammary glands.
- Mammography (x-ray mammography). As a modern alternative, electrical impedance mammography is used - a highly informative tomographic study that allows one to avoid radiation exposure.
- Determination of hormonal status. At the same time, the levels of estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, FSH, LH, thyroid hormones and TSH are assessed. The study is carried out on certain days of the cycle, which allows us to identify the dynamics of existing disorders.
- In the presence of nodular formations, a targeted puncture biopsy is performed, followed by histological and cytological examination of the resulting tissue sample.
- Taking a smear-imprint (in the presence of pathological discharge from the nipple).
- Microwave radiothermometry.
If clinically significant vertebrogenic pathology and neuralgia are suspected, a consultation with a neurologist is indicated.
Ultrasound is the main screening test for patients under 35-40 years of age. At a later age, they prefer to start the examination with mammography.
Treatment of mastalgia
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Herbal and homeopathic remedies for the treatment of mastalgia
Treatment of mastalgia should include pathogenetic and symptomatic measures. In this case, therapy should begin only after excluding oncopathology of the mammary glands and clarifying the nature of the pain syndrome. Typically, long-term use of drugs is required, with adjustment of the treatment regimen depending on the patient’s condition and drug tolerance.
Most cases of mastalgia in clinical practice are associated with dishormonal disorders and PMS. Therefore, the key pathogenetic way to get rid of pain is often the correction of existing endocrine disorders or suppression of cyclic changes in women of reproductive age. The choice of drug depends on the patient’s age, the nature of her mastodynia and the desire to preserve reproductive function for the period of therapy.
Hormonal drugs for the treatment of mastalgia allow a woman to be relieved of pronounced changes in the level of estrogen and gestagens during the cycle, which in many cases minimizes cyclic changes in target tissues.
For this purpose, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (Gn-RH agonists), combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and hormonally active intrauterine devices can be used. They are prescribed for persistent mastalgia, which significantly worsens the patient’s quality of life, as well as for the treatment of hormone-dependent benign neoplasms.
But the use of such drugs is associated with the risk of developing thrombophlebitic complications, persistent cervicalgia, impaired liver function and other undesirable consequences. In addition, COCs themselves can provoke the appearance of mastalgia, which neutralizes the benefits of taking them. Therefore, it is advisable that the selection of a hormonal drug be made by a gynecologist-endocrinologist on an individual basis.
The desire to maintain the ability to conceive, poor tolerability of COCs or the presence of contraindications to their use are the basis for the selection of basic non-hormonal therapy. The choice in favor of such remedies is also usually made by patients with a mild form of mastalgia. In addition, some non-hormonal drugs have a symptomatic effect. They do not affect the cause of the pain, but help the woman endure it more easily.
Your doctor will tell you which non-hormonal pills to take for mastalgia. Most often prescribed:
- Herbal and homeopathic remedies (Cyclodinone, Mastodinone, evening primrose oil and others).
- Vitamin therapy. Cyclic regimens for taking various vitamins and minerals have been developed. But multivitamin medications are often prescribed to eliminate seasonal polyhypovitaminosis.
- Sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs, preference is usually given to drugs from the group of selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs and SSRIs). Their dosage corresponds to the treatment regimen for neurotic and neurosis-like disorders. Herbal sedatives based on valerian, motherwort and other medicinal herbs are also often prescribed.
- Diuretics (diuretics) to cope with the tendency to swelling of tissues before menstruation.
- Magnesium preparations.
- NSAIDs as universal analgesics.
When inflammation is detected in the breast tissue, a mastitis treatment regimen is used. And identifying focal changes requires resolving the issue of the advisability of surgical organ-preserving intervention or the use of modern alternative radical techniques.
Mastalgia does not pose a threat to a woman’s life, does not lead to loss of her ability to work, and is usually quite successfully treated. But this condition requires close attention for timely detection of precancerous diseases.
Therefore, patients with pain in the mammary glands, even after their health has improved and their condition has stabilized, should be under the supervision of a doctor and undergo regular preventive examinations.
ginekolog-i-ya.ru
Breast mastalgia (cyclic and acyclic): causes, symptoms and treatment with drugs and folk remedies
The article is located in the subsection Breast problems (which is part of the Diseases section)
High breast sensitivity, painful discomfort in the mammary glands - for some representatives of the fair sex this is a completely common occurrence. Unpleasant sensations may bother you on the eve of your critical days. But sometimes pain becomes an almost constant companion of a woman. What is mastalgia? Why does this pathology occur? And how to deal with it?
Description of the pathology
Many patients experience chest pain. Unpleasant sensations can appear at any time. Both very young girls who have just entered puberty and mature women who are experiencing menopause complain of discomfort.
Pain in the mammary glands is called mastalgia or mastodynia.
![](https://i2.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_7.jpg)
Mastalgia can be caused by a variety of breast formations.
This pathology can seriously affect a woman’s quality of life, limiting her physical activity. In addition, mastalgia can provoke nervous disorders, such as disturbed sleep, increased irritability, and depression.
Unfortunately, no woman is immune from discomfort in the mammary glands. But, according to statistics, mastalgia is more common at a young age than during menopause.
Doctors say that the risk of developing pathology is very high in women:
- frequently having abortions;
- who gave birth to a child in adulthood;
- those suffering from excess weight;
- those who have refused lactation;
- those with a genetic predisposition to breast formations;
- nulliparous;
- having chest injuries;
- experiencing constant stress;
- having irregular sexual intercourse.
Classification of mastalgia: dishormonal, acyclic
Unpleasant discomfort can be felt in a certain place or spread to the entire breast, present in one or both mammary glands.
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Cyclic mastalgia is associated with hormonal fluctuations and is more often observed in women under 40 years of age.
In addition, mastalgia can vary in intensity of manifestations. Some women experience minor discomfort. Others may feel pain even at the slightest touch to the chest.
Doctors distinguish two types of mastalgia:
- Cyclic (or dishormonal). This pathology is most often observed in young girls and is hormonal in nature. Its appearance is associated with the menstrual cycle. Discomfort is usually observed after ovulation and is a symptom of PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
- Acyclic (or non-cyclic). This type is not associated with the menstrual cycle. The appearance of acyclic pathology is most often based on various diseases. That is why often only one mammary gland suffers. This type of mastalgia usually occurs in mature women.
Causes of mastalgia
A variety of reasons can provoke negative sensations in the mammary glands in a woman:
![](https://i2.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_9.jpg)
Provoking factors
Factors that can trigger the development of mastalgia in a woman’s body include:
- bad habits;
- unhealthy diet;
- wrong lifestyle;
- inattention to health and untimely treatment of diseases.
Characteristic symptoms
Signs of mastalgia depend on what type of pathology is observed in a woman: cyclic or acyclic.
Symptoms of cyclic mastalgia
This form is characterized by the following characteristics:
![](https://i2.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_10.jpg)
Signs of an acyclic form
In this case, mastalgia causes the following sensations in a woman:
- The pain is not associated with the phases of the menstrual cycle. Discomfort may be constant.
- Unpleasant sensations are usually localized around the nipple or in the middle zone of the mammary gland.
- The pain is pronounced. A woman may experience sharp, burning discomfort. The sensations are quite long lasting. In this case, they most often cover one gland.
- During palpation, a tightness is felt in the chest. The tumor may have a smooth edge if a cyst is diagnosed. In the presence of fibroadenoma or oncology, the compaction has uneven contours.
Dangerous symptoms
Some pathologies that provoke acyclic mastalgia can progress rapidly. Unfortunately, by not paying attention to dangerous symptoms, a woman can not only worsen her quality of life. Advanced oncology can lead to death.
You should immediately consult a doctor if you have the following dangerous signs:
![](https://i0.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_11.jpg)
Diagnostic measures
Every woman, regardless of whether she suffers from mastalgia or not, should regularly (once a month) examine her mammary glands for lumps. This will allow timely detection and elimination of tumors that can cost lives.
![](https://i2.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_12.jpg)
It is necessary to regularly examine the mammary glands
Of course, the diagnosis does not end there. If you have pain in the mammary glands, you should contact a mammologist or gynecologist for a thorough examination. Initially, the doctor will ask the woman about the course of the pathology and concomitant diseases. The mammologist will carefully examine the breasts and palpate (feel) the glands.
![](https://i1.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_13.jpg)
Treatment of pathology
Methods of dealing with mastalgia depend entirely on the cause that provoked it. The cyclic form does not require any therapy. The discomfort goes away on its own after the end of menstruation. If there is intense pain that affects the quality of life, doctors recommend taking special non-steroidal drugs and diuretics.
With the acyclic form, it is important to correctly identify the source of the problem and, if possible, eliminate it:
- Hormonal imbalances are treated with special hormonal therapy.
- Tumors are removed surgically.
- Gynecological diseases are treated mainly with medications. If necessary, surgical intervention is used.
Drug therapy
Medicines are selected for the patient exclusively by the doctor, based on the diagnosis:
- Painkillers. Most often these are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can relieve a woman of severe discomfort. Doctors recommend:
- Ketonal;
- Paracetamol;
- Diclofenac;
- Ibuprofen;
- Piroxicam;
- Nurofen.
- Diuretics. Medicines are taken to relieve a woman of swelling, which almost always appears a few days before the start of her period. May be assigned:
- Diacarb;
- Furosemide;
- Veroshpiron;
- Metal salon;
- Trifas;
- Torsemide.
- Contraceptives. If it is necessary to restore hormonal levels in the body, doctors usually prescribe oral contraceptives:
- Silest;
- Novinet;
- Trisiston;
- Anteovin;
- Tinovum;
- Miniziston.
- Magnesium preparations. Such medications help the patient to tolerate PMS much easier. Their mechanism of action is based on eliminating tension in muscle tissue. The following medications are used for mastalgia:
- Asparkam;
- Promaxane;
- Complivit-magnesium;
- Panangin;
- Magnesium plus.
- Sedatives. They are designed to eliminate irritation and relieve nervous excitability. Can be assigned:
- Valerian;
- motherwort tincture;
- peony tincture;
- Persen;
- Glycine;
- Novo Passit;
- Afobazol.
- Vitamins. Vitamins E, C, B, and folic acid are very useful for women's health. Sometimes special complexes are prescribed that enrich the body with all the necessary components:
- Alphabet;
- Duovit;
- Menopace;
- Phyto 40.
Medications - photo gallery
Piroxicam relieves pain Veroshpiron relieves swelling Novinet normalizes hormonal levels Asparkam relieves tension in tissues Valerian calms a woman Duovit saturates the body with vitamins and mineralsDiet for breast health
Nutritionists say that special nutrition can help reduce the severity of symptoms preceding menstruation (irritability, mastalgia, mood swings, lower back pain).
Diet basics:
![](https://i0.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_14.jpg)
Allowed and prohibited foods - table
Physiotherapeutic methods
This therapy is aimed at combating the underlying disease that provoked the appearance of mastalgia.
The following procedures may be prescribed:
- Electrotherapy. The event involves exposure to electrical currents on the body. This improves blood flow in the tissues and reduces the severity of pain.
- Magnetotherapy. The electromagnetic field helps eliminate the inflammatory process. The procedure reduces swelling.
- Ultrasonic massage. Provides an analgesic effect. In addition, it effectively helps fight adhesions.
Folk remedies
Such recipes can only be used after consultation with a mammologist. As a rule, folk treatment is used for cyclic mastalgia (which is confirmed by a doctor).
The following funds can bring benefits:
![](https://i0.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_15.jpg)
Treatment prognosis
With mastalgia, the prognosis is favorable. The cyclic form of the pathology practically does not require treatment. The pain goes away on its own after the end of menstruation.
In the case of acyclic mastalgia, the prognosis depends on the detected pathology, the stage of progression and the timeliness of adequate treatment.
Complications
Mastalgia is not a separate disease, so it cannot become a source of negative complications. But at the same time, it has an extremely negative impact on a woman’s psycho-emotional health.
The danger is caused by those diseases that provoke the appearance of mastalgia. Ignoring the necessary treatment leads to the progression of such pathologies. Unfortunately, malignancy of the process is often observed. In other words, tumors form in the mammary glands and become malignant.
Preventive actions
Prevention of pathology is extremely simple. It does not cause difficulties and is available to all patients.
![](https://i1.wp.com/healthierworld.ru/img/mastalgiya-molochnoj-zhelezy-simptomy_16.jpg)
A healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits, will protect a woman from many ailments.
To protect the body from painful and unpleasant chest discomfort, you must:
- lead a correct lifestyle. Do not forget about full sleep (8 hours);
- provide a healthy diet enriched with magnesium, iodine, zinc, vitamins E, C, B, A;
- exercise regularly. When selecting activities, it is necessary to give preference to those that do not increase mastalgia (jumping, running);
- carefully avoid stress;
- protect the chest from injury. Choose the right underwear that matches your breast size;
- carry out monthly examination of the mammary glands;
- stop drinking alcohol and smoking;
- Visit a gynecologist and mammologist regularly.
Chest pain - video
Mastalgia is not only an unpleasant painful discomfort. These are also symptoms that may indicate serious disorders. Therefore, it is necessary to listen carefully to the signals that the body gives. And then the woman will be able not only to keep her breasts beautiful and beautiful, but also to preserve her health.
womensmed.ru
Mastalgia of the breast
Mastalgia (mastodynia) is a specific condition in which a woman experiences pain in the chest. According to statistics, 70% of women experience such sensations at least once in their lives, with the largest number of complaints occurring at a young age and the period before menopause.
Symptoms of mastalgia
Symptoms of mastalgia are a variety of pain in the mammary glands, which can be short-term or long-lasting, cyclical or non-cyclical. Pain can not only be localized in different places of the female breast, but also have varying intensity. It is noteworthy that the diagnosis of “mastalgia” (or “mastodynia”) cannot be found in any medical reference book, since this ailment refers to specific conditions that can be associated with a number of different diseases or disorders:
- menstrual cycle;
- disorders of the endocrine system;
- long-term use of certain medications;
- mastopathy or mastitis;
- the appearance of neoplasms, both benign and malignant.
In order to determine the cause of pain, you should immediately determine whether cyclic mastalgia occurs. As a rule, such recurring ailment is associated with the menstrual cycle: during PMS, a woman can also observe swelling of the mammary glands, a feeling of heaviness in them, pain and discomfort. Naturally, in this case both mammary glands are affected. When visiting a doctor, in the vast majority of cases, a woman will be diagnosed with temporary hormonal imbalances or, in other words, “dishormonal mastalgia,” which can be treated not only with hormone therapy, but also with decoctions of medicinal herbs and physiotherapy.
Non-cyclic mastalgia can be associated with injuries or the consequences of plastic surgery, a peculiar manifestation of intercostal neuralgia or osteochondrosis, the appearance of cysts or neoplasms. Typically, such non-cyclical pain is characterized as burning or irritable.
Diagnosis of breast mastalgia
The importance of contacting a mammologist if any signs of mastalgia appear is based on the fact that pain in the breast can be observed with malignant tumors. In order to exclude severe cancer conditions and make the correct diagnosis when visiting a mammologist, a woman must undergo a manual examination and ultrasound. If an ultrasound examination reveals any neoplasm in the mammary gland, the patient must undergo a biopsy and mammography.
To make a correct diagnosis, the presence of concomitant manifestations of the disease, for example, any discharge from the nipples, increased body temperature, a state of general malaise, etc., will also be important.
Treatment of mastalgia
Treatment of mastalgia depends entirely on the diagnosis made by a mammologist. Self-medication is an inherently wrong approach to dealing with unpleasant symptoms. The only exception can be the presence of dyshormonal mastalgia, confirmed by a doctor, as a manifestation of premenstrual syndrome. In this case, you can use home remedies:
- Herbal decoctions of celandine, burdock root, meadow clover, string, stinging nettle, marsh cinquefoil, which are taken in monthly courses and help normalize hormonal levels. Late clove, meadowsweet flowers, evasive peony root and prickly tartar also have a similar effect. All of these herbs can be brewed as a collection and taken as warm tea before meals.
- Tea made from nettle, St. John's wort, mantle, dandelion root, which must be taken daily morning, afternoon and evening.
- Local wraps made of cottage cheese, which are applied to the chest in a layer of 0.5 cm. In this case, the curd mass should be low-fat. The top of the wrap is covered with a napkin or towel made of clean cotton fabric. At low temperatures in the apartment, the wrap is additionally insulated with a woolen scarf or shawl.
Correction of hormonal levels can also be done by regularly taking oral contraceptives and special hormonal drugs selected in individual dosages.
If mastitis is detected, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that will help quickly relieve pain and get rid of the source of inflammation. As additional measures to increase the body's resistance, a woman can take courses of vitamins, sedatives, and evening primrose oil.
Measures to prevent mastalgia
The main task of preventing mastalgia is to minimize the risks of hormonal imbalances, inflammatory processes and infections. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular visits to the doctor comes to the fore. Moreover, after 40 years, visiting a mammologist once every six months should become strictly mandatory.
Other measures to prevent breast problems:
- The bra should always be the right size, not injure the breasts or create discomfort. You should remove your underwear as soon as possible to give your body a rest.
- When playing sports, you must wear special underwear that slightly tightens your breasts.
- Proper nutrition contributes to normal metabolism and the proper functioning of all organs, including the organs of the endocrine system.
- Particular attention should be paid to giving up bad habits: alcohol and smoking are the worst companions for women's health. This applies not only to diseases of the mammary glands, but also to the entire body as a whole.
- Regular self-examination will allow you to promptly identify any lumps that have appeared in your breasts.
- Analysis of your heredity (if your mother, aunt or grandmother had serious diseases of the mammary glands, then visiting a doctor with an ultrasound examination once every 6 months should become a strict rule). This is especially important for women over 40 years of age.
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The predominance of glandular tissue in the mammary gland - what is it?
2018 Blog about women's health.
Mastodynia in medical science refers to pain in the mammary glands, which can be felt in one breast or be palpable on both sides. Mastodynia can act not only as a symptom of other diseases, but also be classified as an independent diagnosis - in the case of psychogenic mastodynia. Many women face the problem of painful sensations in the breasts during puberty and, mainly, after 25 years. In view of the danger that mastodynia may portend, you first need to determine the causes of pain.
ICD-10 code
N64.4 Mastodynia
Causes of mastodynia
The most common cause of mastodynia is premenstrual syndrome in women - the 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 pain occur in the chest area, which stops with the onset of menstruation.
Mastodynia may also be the first and most pronounced sign of benign mammary dysplasia.
The occurrence of cyclical pain and enlargement of the mammary glands is observed in most women during the “period of adaptation” to oral contraceptives - the first months of taking the drugs.
In addition, the appearance of mastodynia can be caused by:
- pregnancy;
- reactive sclerosis of the 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, failure of the first pregnancy is especially dangerous;
- stress, neurosis.
Symptoms of mastodynia
In addition to chest pain, mastodynia is characterized by swelling, a feeling of tension in the mammary glands, increased sensitivity to the touch of the nipple and breast tissue, and a feeling of heat. All these symptoms can be traced 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 the local nature of the painful sensations, the pain is weak or sharp, lasts constantly or occurs without any frequency. The patient may have discharge from the nipple: clear or yellow.
When observing the latter, a woman should sound the alarm and be sure to see a mammologist, because these symptoms may 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 cyclical 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 if there are no changes in the structure of the mammary gland.
Cyclic mastodynia can be:
- a symptom of premenstrual syndrome;
- an independent symptom in the absence of other manifestations of PMS;
- a symptom indicating the presence of mastopathy;
- consequences of the use of hormonal drugs.
Diagnosis of mastodynia
An examination of a woman complaining of mastodynia begins with examination and palpation of the mammary glands. Diagnosis is carried out after the cessation of menstruation. To find out the hormonal cause of pain, a blood test is performed that will show the level of sex hormones. Women over 40 years old are necessarily referred by a mammologist for mammography and ultrasound, and those under 40 are referred only for 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.
Treatment of mastodynia
Treatment of mastodynia is aimed at eliminating painful sensations in the mammary glands. The doctor and patient are often faced with the question: treat only the symptoms of mastodynia, or try to find out its causes in a particular patient, and choose treatment methods based on them.
Women complaining of mastodynia are usually recommended:
- Avoid consuming products containing caffeine, as they affect the development of fibrous tissue. These include coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa and Coca-Cola.
- 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 the woman’s body.
- Choose the right bra: it must be of the appropriate shape, size, and, in no case, should not squeeze the breasts. For women with large breasts, wearing this piece of clothing is mandatory.
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 start of menstruation. This will prevent swelling. It is better to avoid table salt, but you can compensate for the lack of potassium and magnesium with the help of oatmeal and rosehip decoction.
Breast swelling with mastodynia can be caused by circulatory problems. To eliminate them, doctors also recommend the use of 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 peace of mind, 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 tincture of motherwort or valerian.
Mastodynia caused by hormonal imbalance is treated with hormone therapy. It may include the following drugs:
- Antiestrogens that block estrogen receptors in the mammary glands, for example, Fareston. The effect is observed within the first month after the start of treatment. The drug is taken 20 mg from the fifth to the twenty-fifth day of the cycle (daily - if the cycle is irregular, during menopause).
- Oral contraception. Your doctor should help you choose the right remedy. He will take into account the patient’s age, the severity of symptoms and hormonal disorders, and will recommend a suitable drug.
- Progestogens that help reduce the effect of estrogens on breast tissue. A popular remedy is medroxyprogesterone acetate, as it has more pronounced gestagenic properties with virtually no androgenic effects. I would like to add that you can take hormonal therapy drugs only as prescribed by a doctor, because their selection should be based on the results of laboratory diagnostics and be optimal for a particular 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 pain and swelling of the mammary glands.
In cases where the occurrence of pain is cyclical, several days before the expected appearance of symptoms of mastodynia, it is recommended to start taking products containing extract of common twig. This plant, popularly called “Abraham’s tree” or “wild pepper”, lowers prolactin levels, thereby helping to harmonize hormonal levels during PMS. You can find it in pharmacies. Drops or tablets containing the extract should be taken in accordance with the instructions in 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, mantle and nettle leaves. The collection 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.
For mastodynia caused by pregnancy or lactation, you need to be especially careful in choosing traditional medicine. A 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 swelling subsides, it is better to stop compresses.
Some women suffering from mastodynia are helped by cottage cheese masks: low-fat cottage cheese is laid out in a half-centimeter layer on the chest and covered with a napkin made of natural fabric. If it’s a cold season outside, you should wrap your chest in woolen cloth.
When self-medicating with folk remedies, it is important to listen to the body’s reaction to them. Even if the measures taken turned out to be sufficient to relieve pain, do not forget to still tell them when you see your gynecologist.
Prevention
The basis for preventing the appearance of mastodynia is.
High breast sensitivity, painful discomfort in the mammary glands - for some representatives of the fair sex this is a completely common occurrence. Unpleasant sensations may bother you on the eve of your critical days. But sometimes pain becomes an almost constant companion of a woman. What is mastalgia? Why does this pathology occur? And how to deal with it?
Description of the pathology
Many patients experience chest pain. Unpleasant sensations can appear at any time. Both very young girls who have just entered puberty and mature women who are experiencing menopause complain of discomfort.
Pain in the mammary glands is called mastalgia or mastodynia.
This pathology can seriously affect a woman’s quality of life, limiting her physical activity. In addition, mastalgia can provoke nervous disorders, such as disturbed sleep, increased irritability, and depression.
At-risk groups
Unfortunately, no woman is immune from discomfort in the mammary glands. But, according to statistics, mastalgia is more common at a young age than during menopause.
Doctors say that the risk of developing pathology is very high in women:
- frequently having abortions;
- who gave birth to a child in adulthood;
- those suffering from excess weight;
- those who have refused lactation;
- those with a genetic predisposition to breast formations;
- nulliparous;
- having chest injuries;
- experiencing constant stress;
- having irregular sexual intercourse.
Classification of mastalgia: dishormonal, acyclic
Unpleasant discomfort can be felt in a certain place or spread to the entire breast, present in one or both mammary glands.
In addition, mastalgia can vary in intensity of manifestations. Some women experience minor discomfort. Others may feel pain even at the slightest touch to the chest.
Doctors distinguish two types of mastalgia:
- Cyclic (or dishormonal). This pathology is most often observed in young girls and is hormonal in nature. Its appearance is associated with the menstrual cycle. Discomfort is usually observed after ovulation and is a symptom of PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
- Acyclic (or non-cyclic). This type is not associated with the menstrual cycle. The appearance of acyclic pathology is most often based on various diseases. That is why often only one mammary gland suffers. This type of mastalgia usually occurs in mature women.
Causes of mastalgia
A variety of reasons can provoke negative sensations in the mammary glands in a woman:
Provoking factors
Factors that can trigger the development of mastalgia in a woman’s body include:
- bad habits;
- unhealthy diet;
- wrong lifestyle;
- inattention to health and untimely treatment of diseases.
Characteristic symptoms
Signs of mastalgia depend on what type of pathology is observed in a woman: cyclic or acyclic.
Symptoms of cyclic mastalgia
This form is characterized by the following characteristics:
![](https://i0.wp.com/womensmed.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/bol-v-molochnoy-zheleze.jpg)
Signs of an acyclic form
In this case, mastalgia causes the following sensations in a woman:
- The pain is not associated with the phases of the menstrual cycle. Discomfort may be constant.
- Unpleasant sensations are usually localized around the nipple or in the middle zone of the mammary gland.
- The pain is pronounced. A woman may experience sharp, burning discomfort. The sensations are quite long lasting. In this case, they most often cover one gland.
- During palpation, a tightness is felt in the chest. The tumor may have a smooth edge if a cyst is diagnosed. In the presence of fibroadenoma or oncology, the compaction has uneven contours.
Some pathologies that provoke acyclic mastalgia can progress rapidly. Unfortunately, by not paying attention to dangerous symptoms, a woman can not only worsen her quality of life. Advanced oncology can lead to death.
You should immediately consult a doctor if you have the following dangerous signs:
![](https://i2.wp.com/womensmed.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/novoobrazovaniya-v-grudi.jpg)
Diagnostic measures
Every woman, regardless of whether she suffers from mastalgia or not, should regularly (once a month) examine her mammary glands for lumps. This will allow timely detection and elimination of tumors that can cost lives.
Of course, the diagnosis does not end there. If you have pain in the mammary glands, you should contact a mammologist or gynecologist for a thorough examination. Initially, the doctor will ask the woman about the course of the pathology and concomitant diseases. The mammologist will carefully examine the breasts and palpate (feel) the glands.
![](https://i0.wp.com/womensmed.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/mammografiya.jpg)
Treatment of pathology
Ways to combat mastalgia depend entirely on the cause that provoked it.. The cyclic form does not require any therapy. The discomfort goes away on its own after the end of menstruation. If there is intense pain that affects the quality of life, doctors recommend taking special non-steroidal drugs and diuretics.
With the acyclic form, it is important to correctly identify the source of the problem and, if possible, eliminate it:
- Hormonal imbalances are treated with special hormonal therapy.
- Tumors are removed surgically.
- Gynecological diseases are treated mainly with medications. If necessary, surgical intervention is used.
Drug therapy
Medicines are selected for the patient exclusively by the doctor, based on the diagnosis:
- Painkillers. Most often these are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can relieve a woman of severe discomfort. Doctors recommend:
- Ketonal;
- Paracetamol;
- Diclofenac;
- Ibuprofen;
- Piroxicam;
- Nurofen.
- Diuretics. Medicines are taken to relieve a woman of swelling, which almost always appears a few days before the start of her period. May be assigned:
- Diacarb;
- Furosemide;
- Veroshpiron;
- Metal salon;
- Trifas;
- Torsemide.
- Contraceptives. If it is necessary to restore hormonal levels in the body, doctors usually prescribe oral contraceptives:
- Silest;
- Novinet;
- Trisiston;
- Anteovin;
- Tinovum;
- Miniziston.
- Magnesium preparations. Such medications help the patient to tolerate PMS much easier. Their mechanism of action is based on eliminating tension in muscle tissue. The following medications are used for mastalgia:
- Asparkam;
- Promaxane;
- Complivit-magnesium;
- Panangin;
- Magnesium plus.
- Sedatives. They are designed to eliminate irritation and relieve nervous excitability. Can be assigned:
- Valerian;
- motherwort tincture;
- peony tincture;
- Persen;
- Glycine;
- Novo Passit;
- Afobazol.
- Vitamins. Vitamins E, C, B, and folic acid are very useful for women's health. Sometimes special complexes are prescribed that enrich the body with all the necessary components:
- Alphabet;
- Duovit;
- Menopace;
- Phyto 40.
Medications - photo gallery
Piroxicam relieves pain Veroshpiron relieves swelling
Novinet normalizes hormonal levels Asparkam relieves tension in tissues Valerian calms a woman Duovit saturates the body with vitamins and minerals
Diet for breast health
Nutritionists say that special nutrition can help reduce the severity of symptoms preceding menstruation (irritability, mastalgia, mood swings, lower back pain).
Diet basics:
![](https://i1.wp.com/womensmed.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/pravilnoe-pitanie.jpg)
Allowed and prohibited foods - table
Excluded Products | Healthy foods |
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Physiotherapeutic methods
This therapy is aimed at combating the underlying disease that provoked the appearance of mastalgia.
The following procedures may be prescribed:
- Electrotherapy. The event involves exposure to electrical currents on the body. This improves blood flow in the tissues and reduces the severity of pain.
- Magnetotherapy. The electromagnetic field helps eliminate the inflammatory process. The procedure reduces swelling.
- Ultrasonic massage. Provides an analgesic effect. In addition, it effectively helps fight adhesions.
Folk remedies
Such recipes can only be used after consultation with a mammologist.. As a rule, folk treatment is used for cyclic mastalgia (which is confirmed by a doctor).