Fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland: treatment. Main manifestations and symptoms of fibrocystic mastopathy Fibrocystic mastopathy of the breast symptoms

A dyshormonal disease in which excessive tissue growth and cyst formation is observed is called fibrous disease. cystic mastopathy mammary glands. We will consider the treatment, causes, and symptoms of this pathology in the article.

Every year, about a million women hear the terrible diagnosis of breast cancer. And, unfortunately, these numbers are steadily growing. Not everyone knows that this disease is often preceded by fibrocystic mastopathy. What it is? As mentioned above, this is a hormone-dependent disease, which is characterized by various changes in the mammary gland - both proliferation (increase) and regression (decrease) in the tissues can be observed. Also in the gland, changes occur in the ratio of connective tissue and epithelial components, as a result of which either cystic or fibrous components may predominate.

Causes of pathology

Formations in the mammary gland most often develop due to hormonal cyclic changes in a woman’s body. Hormones affect the mammary gland, which as a result undergoes various changes - from the onset of puberty and the gradual growth of the gland to pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If hormones for some reason do not control these processes, dysfunction occurs in the mammary gland, and changes occur in the tissues - fibrous or cystic.

Provoking factors of hormonal imbalance female body are:

  • overwork;

    pregnancy;

    sexual dysfunction;

    liver diseases;

    endocrine and gynecological pathologies;

    heredity.

The main reason for the development of mastopathy is an increase in the level of the hormone estrogen in the body and a decrease in the hormone progesterone.

In the event that for some reason the content of progesterone in the body decreases, swelling occurs in the mammary gland, the connective tissue increases in volume, and cysts form in the gland.

The following categories of women are at risk:


Mastopathy is often accompanied by ailments such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and inflammatory diseases of the uterine appendages.

Classification of mastopathy

Exist various shapes diseases "fibrous cystic mastopathy":

    fibrous form (fibroadenosis) - the fibrous component predominates;

    fibrocystic — the cystic component predominates;

    adenosis - the glandular component predominates;

    mixed form (all components);

    sclerosing adenosis.

All this applies to diffuse mastopathy. There is also nodular fibrocystic mastopathy. With this form of the disease, limited painful lumps, over time they can increase in size.

Signs of fibrocystic mastopathy

The diffuse form is the initial stage of the disease; it is characterized by the appearance of painful sensations in the mammary glands before menstruation (several days). Many women complain that their mammary glands hurt during the premenstrual period. Symptoms of mastopathy are most often mild and therefore can easily be mistaken for typical monthly swelling of the mammary glands. As a rule, the pain goes away with the onset of “critical days.”

Gradually the pain intensifies, its duration and intensity increases. Painful discomfort often spreads to the shoulder blade, armpit, neck, and any touch to the chest is unpleasant.

Mastalgia (masoplasia, mastodynia) is the initial stage of a disease such as diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy. Reviews from women indicate pain and thickening of the tissue. Palpation of the mammary glands confirms these symptoms. This condition occurs most often in women under 35 years of age. All manifestations disappear after the onset of menstruation.

Over time, the painful signs of fibrocystic mastopathy weaken. In the mammary glands, areas of compaction that do not have clear boundaries, coarsening of the glandular lobes, and fine granularity are felt. When pressing on the nipples, discharge appears of various nature. During the premenstrual period, painful lumps increase, and with the onset of menstruation they decrease. However, complete softening of the glands to a normal state does not occur.

The next stage of the disease is nodular mastopathy. In this form, nodules become more distinct, and large cysts are often found. Such neoplasms can be localized in one mammary gland or in both, and can be single or multiple.

Nodular seals are formed in diffuse mastopathy with the preservation of all its symptoms: rough lobulation, heaviness, granularity, discharge from the nipples. The lumps can be easily felt in a standing position; in a lying position, their boundaries are not defined; the surrounding lumps of the mammary gland hide the nodules. This form of mastopathy is most often diagnosed in women over 30-50 years of age.

Diagnostics

We discussed the symptoms, causes and forms of such a disease as fibrocystic mastopathy, we know what it is. Now let's talk about methods for diagnosing this pathology.

When a diagnosis of fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands is made, treatment can be prescribed only after a thorough examination. The initial examination involves palpation of the mammary glands. To exclude possible diagnostic errors, it is preferable to schedule a visit to a mammologist for 7-10 days menstrual cycle. In addition, the doctor examines the axillary and clavicular lymph nodes.

Further diagnosis involves the following procedures:

    Ultrasonography. The procedure is absolutely safe and can be used repeatedly over a short period of time. The study can be done during pregnancy and lactation. The use of this technique is difficult when there is a large amount of adipose tissue in the glands.

    X-ray mammography. This procedure is the leading method for diagnosing breast pathologies: it is highly informative, makes it possible to identify small neoplasms, and allows for analysis of the dynamics of the disease. However, x-rays will not be informative enough when examining young women whose mammary glands have a dense consistency. This procedure is also contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

    Doppler sonography. The method allows you to more clearly differentiate various breast diseases.

    Puncture and obtained biomaterial. The procedure is performed if there is a suspicion of a tumor disease and atypia.

For an illness such as fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands, treatment should be started after consultation with related specialists: a gynecologist, an endocrinologist, a psychotherapist.

Treatment

Since there are various forms of the disease “fibrous cystic mastopathy” (fibrous form or nodular form), treatment is carried out using different methods. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the causes and factors due to which mastopathy developed.

Treatment is carried out conservative methods. Drug therapy involves the use of hormonal and non-hormonal agents. Hormonal drugs are prescribed in case of urgent need and based on the results of a comprehensive examination.

Moderate fibrocystic mastopathy requires adherence to a certain diet: exclusion is too fatty foods, caffeine, alcoholic beverages.

Non-hormonal therapy

For mastalgia use:

    Decongestants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics (Ibuprofen, Nurofen, etc.).

    Medicines that improve blood circulation (B vitamins).

    Calming and sedatives (motherwort, valerian).

    Physiotherapy is performed (electrophoresis using potassium iodide).

    Herbal medicine is carried out on the basis of such drugs as Mastodinon, Vitokan, Tazalok.

It is extremely important to wear comfortable underwear. Using a bra that is the wrong size or shape can cause breast deformation, pain and swelling.

Hormone therapy

Mastopathy can develop due to hormonal imbalance in the body. To normalize female sex hormones, antihormones are prescribed - the drugs Tamoxifen and Toremifene. For the same purpose, oral contraceptives are used - medicines "Marvelon" and "Zhanine", under the influence of which the production of steroids, estrogens, and androgens is suppressed and hormonal levels in the body are stabilized. The doctor may also prescribe the use of gestagens - progesterone preparations (Duphaston, Utrozhestan), these drugs inhibit the growth of cysts and promote subsequent gradual regression. In some cases, experts prescribe antiprolactins (Parlodel), androgens (Methyltestosterone), and gonadotropin antagonists (Buserelin and Zoladex).

Remember, only a qualified specialist should treat fibrocystic mastopathy! Medicines recommended by a specialist should be taken strictly according to the instructions.

Homeopathy

During treatment of this disease Various homeopathic remedies have been successfully used. Patients and doctors who treated fibrocystic mastopathy with these drugs leave mostly positive reviews: these drugs effectively reduce prolactin levels without causing any side effects. These medications include Cyclodinone, Remens, Mastodinon.

Diet

With this disease, it is very important to adjust your diet. All products containing methylxanthines should be excluded: coffee, tea, chocolate of any kind, cola, cocoa. It is also recommended to avoid eating smoked foods and pickles. IN daily diet Fresh vegetables rich in fiber, fruits, citrus fruits, and grains must be present. In addition to 2 liters of water per day, it is also recommended to drink herbal teas, which have a diuretic and decongestant effect. You should limit your salt intake, as it contributes to the accumulation of fluid in the body and tissue swelling.

Alternative medicine

Not only medicinal, but also unconventional methods They treat fibrocystic mastopathy. Reviews from friends and acquaintances about folk ways therapy of this disease should not become a guide to action. Any therapeutic measures should be carried out only after consultation with a specialist.

As a supplement to the main treatment, the attending physician may recommend proven folk recipes.


Surgical intervention for nodular mastopathy

Surgical treatment is used if aspiration biopsy the punctate revealed either proliferative changes in the mammary gland epithelium. Sectoral resection (linear excision of tissue) and mastectomy (removal of a section of the gland) are used.

It is important to remember that fibrocystic disease is Therefore, in no case should you ignore regular visits to the doctor and medical examinations. Self-medication, in turn, can cause the development of health-threatening conditions, including breast cancer. Treatment in this case is much more serious: chemotherapy of the breast is carried out, radiation therapy, complex surgical intervention.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you learned more about such a disease as fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands; we reviewed the treatment, causes and symptoms of the pathology. We hope you find the information useful. Take care of yourself, be attentive to your condition, immediately responding to the slightest changes in the body. And be healthy!

Many women are familiar with discomfort and pain in the mammary glands. But few people immediately turn to a mammologist with complaints. Some people do not want to spend time and money on diagnostics, while others are pessimistic and make the worst assumptions and are afraid to find out the cause of their illness. And thus they postpone timely treatment one of the most common breast diseases.

Let's figure out whether you should worry about receiving a diagnosis of fibrocystic mastopathy, what symptoms and causes are typical for it, and how favorable is the outcome if detected in a timely manner?

To understand the issue, you need to briefly explain what the mammary gland is.

The mammary gland is a paired organ on the surface of the pectoral muscle. It consists of three types of tissues - glandular, connective and adipose. Glandular tissue is found not only in the breast, but throughout the body. It lines the inner surface of some organs and performs the function of secreting secretory fluids, which include breast milk. The glands are divided into lobes and smaller lobules by connective tissue, or stroma. And the third - adipose tissue - forms a kind of “cushion” in which glands and stroma are located.

The breast is not a static organ. During a woman's life, it undergoes changes controlled by hormones. For example, during the period after childbirth, the gland ducts increase, accumulating milk. And after stopping feeding, the stroma is replaced by adipose tissue. With age, hormonal changes also occur in the breasts, only the glandular tissue is replaced by adipose tissue.

It is disruptions in the proper functioning of hormones - estrogen, progesterone and prolactin - that can lead to the development of FCM 1.

What is fibrocystic mastopathy

So, hormonal imbalances change the natural balance between epithelial and connective tissue. The connective tissue grows, leading to a benign neoplasm called fibrocystic mastopathy. It is these changes that cause various pain sensations, which we will talk about later 2.

Risk group

We have already found out that the cause of FCM is hormonal imbalance. Accordingly, women with diseases that disrupt the production of sex hormones - estrogen, progesterone, prolactin - are at risk. Most often, such changes overtake women between the ages of 18 and 40 years. Much less often - men. Long-term treatment hormonal drugs also increases the risk of developing fibrocystic mastopathy, as well as a large number of births and abortions. Hormonal imbalances can result from refusal to breastfeed and prolonged absence of pregnancy (after 30 years).

Secondary factors can be considered everything that indirectly relates to hormonal imbalances. These are diseases thyroid gland, adrenal glands, disorders of the pituitary gland. Heredity, including if fibrocystic mastopathy was identified in close relatives. And of course, nutrition problems, bad habits and regular stress. All this negatively affects women's health in general and the health of the mammary glands in particular.

It is also important for women to protect themselves from injuries to the mammary glands. For example, squeezing your breasts with a tight bra can have a very negative impact on your breast health 3 .

Symptoms

The first signs that a woman can notice on her own are:

  • painful sensations in the chest, which extends to the shoulder or armpit;
  • increased nipple sensitivity;
  • swelling, distension and painful tension of the glands shortly before menstruation;
  • compactions that are detected upon palpation;
  • nipple discharge.

Any of these signs is a reason to visit a mammologist. And it must be said that fibrocystic mastopathy can be detected in the early stages of development, even if the woman did not notice any of the above signs at all. This is why doctors insist on regular examinations 1 .

What could FCM be?

In total, more than 50 forms are known. But in clinical practice Most often, fibrocystic mastopathy is divided into diffuse and nodular. Diffuse is characterized by the formation of many formations throughout the mammary gland. Education can be:

  • cystic;
  • fibrous;
  • glandular;
  • mixed.

The nodular form is characterized by the appearance of one large compaction of different origin:

  • it could be fibroadenoma
  • cyst
  • lipoma
  • papilloma, which forms inside the duct, etc. 2

Diagnostics

As mentioned, in the early stages the disease rarely manifests itself as severe discomfort. Therefore, a woman needs to be regularly examined by a mammologist.

The examination is carried out in the first phase of the cycle. At the appointment, the doctor will collect anamnesis, find out previous complaints, prerequisites for the occurrence and determine whether the woman is at risk.

Then it is carried out visual inspection chest and palpation in two positions: standing and lying. Palpation includes checking the axillary and supraclavicular nodes, squeezing the nipples for the presence of discharge.

The doctor may then prescribe instrumental diagnostics. This includes:

1. Mammography is an x-ray examination that is indicated for women at risk and after 35 years. The method allows you to identify even those seals that could not be identified by palpation.

2. Ultrasound of the mammary glands - the most safe method which can be performed on pregnant and lactating women. However, its functionality is limited.

3. Needle biopsy - prescribed if the doctor finds a suspicious area. Using a fine-needle puncture, material from the pathological focus is taken for examination.

4. Study of hormonal status - these are tests for the level of main hormones.

5. Biochemical analysis blood – analysis is carried out to exclude concomitant extragenital pathologies.

6. Additionally, MRI, examination of the milk ducts, examination of cavity formation, digital and laser mammography are prescribed 2.

Treatment of mastopathy

If mastopathy is detected, treatment is mandatory. The basis of therapy is hormonal or non-hormonal treatment, in some cases surgical. Tactics depend on several factors that the doctor must take into account:

  • the presence of a pathology that accompanies or has become the cause of the disease
  • Is pregnancy planned?
  • whether the woman is interested in contraception.

Hormonal treatment of mastopathy

Purpose hormone therapy mastopathy is a decrease in the action of male hormones (androgens) and female hormones (estrogens). At the same time, the effect of the gestagenic component of female sex hormones (progesterone) increases.

Non-hormonal treatment of mastopathy

1. Vitamin supplements. Of interest in this sense are vitamins A, E, B6, PP, P, ascorbic acid. They are able to act in a complex manner: have an anti-estrogenic effect, reduce the production of prolactin, while simultaneously enhancing the effect of progesterone and reducing swelling of the mammary glands due to a strengthening effect on blood vessels.

2. Herbal medicines. Similarly, vitamin supplements have a positive effect on hormonal balance and reduce prolactin production.

3. NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for severe pain syndrome, relieve swelling and discomfort.

4. Iodine preparations. If there is a deficiency of thyroid hormones, these drugs normalize its functioning.

5. Immune stimulants. Otherwise, these drugs are called adaptogens.

6. Sedatives. They have a positive effect on the psycho-emotional state of a woman.

7. Diuretics are designed to reduce swelling in the mammary glands and reduce the pain caused by it.

Surgery

It represents the removal of a focus of nodular mastopathy, or enucleation (enucleation) of a tumor or cyst 3.

Prevention

How to properly check?

1. To begin, stand in front of a mirror with your torso bare and lower your arms down. Remember for a future examination how symmetrical the glands are, whether their shapes, contours and sizes are correct. Skin color should be natural and uniform, the same goes for the color and shape of the nipples.

2. Bend to the sides and evaluate how evenly the breasts move, whether recesses and elevations appear, and whether there is any discharge.

3. When palpating in a lying or standing position, pay attention to whether there are any compactions or hardening.

Since the appearance of mastopathy is associated with hormonal changes, it is not always possible to prevent it. However, some measures are quite feasible and necessary to maintain overall health:

  • eliminate constant stressful conditions;
  • avoid injuries to the mammary glands, do not wear tight and uncomfortable underwear;
  • lead healthy image life, give up bad habits;
  • remember about potential harm abortion for health;
  • adhere to the principles of breastfeeding 2.

FAQ

What are the consequences of mastopathy?

It must be remembered that FCM is a benign formation. Women with mastopathy have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Hormonal disorders, against the background of which it develops, can have a detrimental effect on the reproductive system. And yet on initial stages identifying and treating mastopathy provides an almost 100% guarantee of cure, which is why it is so important to visit a doctor regularly 2 .

Do I need to change my lifestyle if I have mastopathy?

Once diagnosed, the doctor, in addition to prescribing treatment, will recommend that the woman adhere to certain rules. For example, it is undesirable to carry out any thermal procedures - tanning, solarium, baths, saunas, hot baths.

Due to the high content of substances that contribute to the deterioration of the condition, chocolate, coffee, tea and cocoa are excluded. With a concomitant iodine deficiency, any seafood will not be out of place on the table 2.

Are they effective? traditional methods mastopathy treatment?
The truly effective treatment will be the one prescribed by the doctor based on the diagnostic results. Self-treatment– these are attempts to act at random, while you can immediately influence the cause and preserve invaluable health.

  • 1. Mammology. National leadership / Ed. HELL. Kaprina, N.I. Rozhkova. M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2016 - 496. ISBN 978-5-9704-3729-2
  • 2. Zaitsev V. F. Mastopathy (diagnosis and treatment) / V. F. Zaitsev, V. V. Moiseenko. - Mn.: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, 2009. – 72 p.
  • 3. Letyagin V.P. Treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the mammary gland / V.P. Letyagin [et al.] - M.: Rondo, 1997. - 287 p.

Symptoms of fibrocystic mastopathy may be pronounced or not manifest at all. The disease affects women more often reproductive age.

Causes of the disease

– benign growth of connective and glandular tissue in the mammary gland.

As a result of hormonal imbalance, cysts, nodes, and seals of various sizes and structures are formed.

The main cause of the disease is hormonal imbalance, which consists in the production large quantity estrogen, prolactin and a small amount of progesterone. It takes a long period of time for changes to occur in breast tissue.

Factors that can cause fibrocystic changes:

  • earlier menarche in girls - up to 12 years;
  • late menopause;
  • absence of pregnancy and childbirth;
  • refusal of breastfeeding;
  • diseases endocrine system;
  • diseases of the reproductive system;
  • hormonal contraception;
  • mammary gland injuries.

Symptoms of fibrocystic mastopathy

Fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands depends on the form of the disease, the condition of the body and the presence of concomitant pathologies.

The following may indicate the presence of mastopathy:

  • Mastodynia (). Most women experience pain during the premenstrual period and during menstruation. This manifestation may be initial stage mastopathy. The pain can be acute, stabbing, aching, moderate or intense, depending on the degree of damage.
  • Increase in breast size. It occurs due to swelling of the glands due to the accumulation of fluid and stagnation of blood.
  • . They don't always happen. Indicate that pathological process affected the milk ducts. Appear when pressing on the nipple or randomly. Greenish, yellow or Brown color- evidence of complications and a reason to undergo immediate examination.
  • Seals in the thickness of the gland. Fixed or movable when palpated. They are determined by the woman independently or by a mammologist during examination.
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits.
  • Emotional instability. Expressed in increased irritability, depression, depressed mood, and tearfulness.

Forms of pathology

There are several forms of mastopathy - diffuse and. Let's take a closer look.

Diffuse forms:

  • Cystic. Cysts appear in the gland, that is, small formations with fluid inside.
  • Fibrous. The fibrous component predominates in the connective tissue.
  • Adenosis. Characterized by excessive growth of glandular tissue.
  • Mixed. In this case it is combined pathological growth connective, glandular tissues with the formation of cystic elements.

The nodular form of mastopathy is characterized by damage not to the entire mammary gland, but to its individual parts. Local lumps appear in the breast, but they usually form against the background of diffuse mastopathy.

A type of nodular form is fibroadenoma. This is a movable dense seal, usually round in shape. Treatment in in this case- operational only. Despite the benign nature of the tumor, it must be removed.

Video about the causes and symptoms of the disease

Possible complications

For a long time it was believed that the disease was not life-threatening for women. The reviews from patients were dominated only by reviews of unpleasant symptoms - pain, swelling, which interfere with everyday life and create discomfort.

However, in Lately The opinion of specialists has changed and research has indicated that mastopathy may be a precancerous form. This does not mean that the disease always becomes cancerous, but the risk of developing cancer increases significantly. In addition, the hormonal background in the body with mastopathy is favorable for the appearance of oncological processes on the cervix and ovaries.

All risks can be minimized only by timely

The mammary glands consist of several types of tissue, including glandular, connective and fatty tissue, and the ratio of these tissues, as well as the shape and size of the breasts, change throughout life.

But in some cases, the histological structure of the mammary glands is disrupted, individual species tissues begin to grow, cysts, lumps and tumors form.

The most common disease associated with such pathologies is called fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands, or FCM.

The diagnosis of fibrocystic mastopathy, or FCM, is a general name for benign diseases of the mammary glands, which are characterized by the development of compactions and cysts in the structures of the organ. Most often they occur due to a violation of the relationship between epithelial and connective tissue.

This pathology is observed in approximately half of women of reproductive age, and with age (after 40-45 years) the likelihood of developing FCM increases.

Despite the fact that fibrocystic mastopathy is a benign pathology, some forms of the disease have a fairly high risk of malignancy, that is, transformation benign neoplasms into malignant ones.

Causes of FCM

The causes of fibrocystic mastopathy include:

  • changes in hormonal levels (premature puberty, menopause);
  • pathological course of pregnancy, its absence or frequent terminations of pregnancy;
  • absence or early interruption of breastfeeding;
  • metabolic disorder ( diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, excess weight);
  • liver dysfunction;
  • illnesses genitourinary system, gynecological diseases;
  • improper or uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs.

As a rule, for the development of the disease, the presence of several factors from this list must be present, and an unhealthy lifestyle and frequent stress increase the risk.

Classification

Fibrocystic mastopathy may have several forms: some are characterized by a predominance of glandular tissue, others by the proliferation of fibrous tissue or the appearance of cysts. In addition, there are mixed and nodular forms of the disease, each of which has its own characteristics and symptoms.

Symptoms of the disease

Signs of fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland depend on the form of the disease, its severity, the general health of the woman and other factors.

In the first stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms at all.

But as the pathology develops, women experience unpleasant sensations of a different nature.

  1. Pain in the chest. Pain during FCM can be intense or weak, pulling, stabbing or sharp. In the beginning, unpleasant sensations may occur before the onset of menstrual bleeding, which women usually regard as a manifestation premenstrual syndrome, but subsequently pain becomes a constant companion. Sometimes the pain is so strong that even the slightest touch to the chest causes great suffering.
  2. Feeling of heaviness in the mammary glands. One of the symptoms of FCM is a feeling of heaviness, hardening and swelling of the breast, and this sign may also disappear or appear depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle.
  3. The presence of nodules and seals in the structure of the mammary glands. Neoplasms can resemble small nodules ranging in size from a few millimeters to walnut which are filled with liquid. Usually they can be felt under the skin even with independent palpation of the chest.
  4. Nipple discharge. A characteristic but optional symptom of mastopathy, which can also have varying intensity. Sometimes discharge occurs only after squeezing the nipple, or appears on its own, as evidenced by stains on clothing. They can have different shades, depending on which the doctor determines the stage of the pathological process and concomitant diseases.

A greenish tint to the discharge indicates a secondary infection, and bloody or brown fluid is the most unfavorable symptom, as it may indicate the development of a malignant tumor.

Diagnostics

If symptoms of the disease appear, a woman should consult a mammologist as soon as possible to make a final diagnosis. Diagnostics include visual inspection and palpation of the mammary glands, as well as radiography or ultrasound examination(echography).

Signs of fibrocystic mastopathy

Ultrasound can detect even the smallest lumps with a diameter of no more than 1-2 mm. If these diagnostic measures show the presence of tumors, the doctor refers the woman to a tissue puncture to exclude cancerous tumors.

Pain in the mammary glands may feel like healthy women, and in the presence of pathologies. may indicate a change in hormonal levels, and may also be a sign of a neoplasm.

We will tell you in what cases the removal of breast fibroadenoma in a woman is indicated.

Have you ordered a breast biopsy? You can read in detail about the essence of the study and the methodology.

Treatment of FCM

Therapy for fibrocystic mastopathy is prescribed exclusively by a doctor, and depends on the intensity of the symptoms, the type and stage of the disease, as well as its underlying cause.

Conservative treatment includes taking the following medications:

  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (with severe pain in the chest area);
  • hormonal drugs (in particular, oral contraceptives) are prescribed in cases where the disease is caused by changes in hormonal levels;
  • diuretics are necessary for severe swelling of the mammary glands;
  • herbal medicine is effective in the first stages of the disease, when the symptoms are not too severe;
  • multivitamins are indicated for general support of the body and supplying it with necessary elements.

Reception medications with FCM requires constant medical supervision, careful monitoring of the “behavior” of tumors and general condition health.

Surgical treatment is prescribed only for the nodular form of the disease in cases where rapid growth of tumors occurs, there is a high risk of their malignancy (developing into oncology) or in the presence of contraindications to drug therapy. In this case, part of the mammary gland is removed under general or local anesthesia.

Many women use FCM for treatment folk remedies, mainly herbal decoctions of red brush, sage, nettle, hemlock.

Although they are considered safe for health, you should consult a specialist before use.

Pregnancy and FCM

Many women with a similar diagnosis (especially those who do not have a history of pregnancies) are worried about how mastopathy will affect the course of pregnancy and whether it is possible in this case to conceive and give birth to a healthy child.

It should be noted that pregnancy with FCM is not only possible, but also desirable, since over the course of nine months a woman experiences hormonal changes, which can serve as an incentive to normalize hormonal levels.

Long-term breastfeeding is especially useful for women suffering from mastopathy, as it brings significant relief, and in some cases, cysts and lumps completely resolve.

Prevention of mastopathy

To prevent FCM, a woman should maintain normal sex life, protect yourself from unwanted pregnancies and be careful when choosing partners.

If you have hormonal disorders or gynecological pathologies, you must immediately consult a doctor and undergo appropriate treatment.

The diet should be balanced, but varied, and include vegetables (especially cabbage, spinach and tomatoes), fruits, berries, and legumes.

The amount of fatty meats, products with high content cholesterol, fast food and sugary carbonated drinks should be kept to a minimum and, if possible, eliminated altogether. Finally, every woman should familiarize herself with self-diagnosis methods, which can detect diseases of the mammary glands on early stages and minimize the risk of complications.

Video on the topic


"Cystic fibrous mastopathy, what it is?" - enough frequently asked question representatives of the weaker half of society who have been diagnosed with this. CFM is a fairly common benign pathology of the mammary glands, characterized by the formation of cysts of various diameters and shapes.

No woman is immune from developing the disease. More occurrence fibrocystic mastopathy Representatives of the fair half of society of reproductive age are susceptible. Therapy for this disease, if detected in the early stages, consists of following a diet, using hormonal therapy, homeopathy, non-hormonal drugs and funds alternative medicine. An important place in the treatment of pathology is given to taking vitamins and massage. If the pathology is detected late and conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical intervention is prescribed. You know what fibrocystic mastopathy is.

Next, let's talk about the functions of the mammary glands. The mammary glands are part of the reproductive system female system, whose main function is to generate breast milk for feeding a baby. If you have been diagnosed with fibrocystic mastopathy, you should immediately check with your doctor about what it is. The disease is quite common. The leading cause of the disease is hormonal imbalance.

In addition, the development of pathology may be due to:

  • early puberty;
  • late menopause;
  • no history of pregnancy;
  • frequent forced terminations of pregnancy;
  • short-lived lactation period or its absence;
  • frequent stressful situations;
  • obesity;
  • endemic goiter;
  • disruptions in liver function;
  • disruptions in the endocrine system: thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism;
  • the presence of pathologies of the genitourinary system;
  • inappropriate use of hormonal drugs;
  • premenstrual syndrome;
  • endometriosis;
  • uterine fibroids;
  • availability follicular cysts in the ovaries;
  • infertility.

CFM has not previously been identified as a condition that predisposes to breast cancer. However, according to the latest scientific research, it is obvious that mastopathy is a precancerous condition, which, due to certain reasons, can turn into a malignant formation. The main sign of pathology is severe pain in the gland.

In addition to this symptom, the disease is characterized by the appearance of lumps in the chest, as well as discharge and discomfort. Painful sensations are often accompanied by heaviness, puffiness, and compression in the mammary gland. They often radiate to the shoulder or armpit area. A frequent manifestation of the disease is the release of fluid similar to colostrum, which has a yellowish or greenish tint.

With the onset of premenstrual syndrome, symptoms become more pronounced. To understand fibrocystic mastopathy, what it is, it is also necessary to determine the form of the disease. There are diffuse, nodular, mixed and bilateral.

  1. Diffuse CFM is accompanied by excessive proliferation of connective tissue. This provokes the destruction of the canals and lobular structures of the gland, as well as the appearance of small cysts. The appearance of the disease is provoked by a genetic factor, poor environmental conditions, hormonal imbalance, increased estrogen synthesis and progesterone deficiency.
  2. As for the nodular form, it is accompanied by the proliferation of connective tissue and the formation of cysts, similar to single and multiple nodes. Before menstruation, swelling, enlargement, and pain are noted. The formations are easily palpable, they are dense, elastic, have clear boundaries, not fused with the surrounding tissues.
  3. As for the mixed form of CFM, this disease is characterized by a combination of characteristic manifestations of all types of the disease. It is accompanied by the formation of cysts, proliferation of connective tissue, excessive growth of glandular tissue, painful sensations and discharge from the breast. This form is a somewhat advanced variant of the pathology. She is more difficult to treat.
  4. Bilateral fibrocystic mastopathy is characterized by damage to two mammary glands at once. It is accompanied by hyperplasia of fibrous, connective and glandular elements. The milk ducts are involved in the pathological process. Bilateral CFM is a consequence of a persistent, long-term disruption in the hormonal system. Therefore, therapy for the disease consists of restoring hormonal balance.

Cysts in the mammary glands can be detected by independently palpating the breasts. The doctor, in addition to examination and palpation, prescribes radiography of the mammary glands and ultrasound examination. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging, aspiration biopsy, and histological examination may be prescribed.

Mammography is one of the most informative methods research. This technique helps determine the size, contours and number of cysts. Using ultrasound, formations can be examined in detail. As for MRI, this method is used infrequently. With its help, you can examine each layer of tissue and formation. As for aspiration biopsy, this diagnostic method helps determine the nature of the cyst. Histological examination the material obtained during biopsy is part of the diagnosis.

This method makes it possible to study the cellular structure of the formation and helps to identify or determine the malignant nature of the cyst, determine intraductal papillomas and clarify the presence or absence of inflammation or a purulent process. In some cases, blood sampling is prescribed to determine the degree of hormonal imbalance and an ultrasound examination.

Pregnancy with this disease is not only possible, but also desirable. Everyone probably knows that during pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the body. This can help normalize hormonal levels and stop the progression of the disease. That is why many experts recommend that patients become pregnant and carry, and in the future, breastfeed.

By the way, the main medicine in the treatment of pathology is the natural period of lactation. Doctors do not recommend interrupting feeding, since it is this that often contributes to complete cure fibrocystic mastopathy. In the case when a woman was treated for mastopathy and took hormonal medications and became pregnant in the same cycle, it is recommended to stop taking hormones. Contact your doctor, he will adjust the treatment.

Cystic fibrous mastopathy: treatment in various ways

The basis of treatment for cystic fibrous mastopathy is stabilization of hormonal levels. Therapy of the pathology may involve the use of a puncture technique for aspiration of fluid from the formation and subsequent introduction of special medications into the cavity. If the process is started, if there is excessive tissue growth, the appearance of multiple cysts, or if cancer is suspected, surgery is performed. Treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy can only be carried out by a qualified specialist. You should not self-medicate, ask for advice on forums, or believe reviews about a particular drug. This can harm you and make the situation worse. Cystic fibrous mastopathy, the treatment of which may involve the use of medications, a serious pathology requiring immediate treatment.

An appointment is often scheduled:

  • hormonal drugs: Progesterone, Urozhestan, Duphaston;
  • estrogen inhibitors;
  • analgesics;
  • diuretics;
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • vitamins

An important stage of therapy is proper nutrition. Experts recommend avoiding eating fatty, fried, spicy, spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, sweets, coffee, and cocoa. The diet should include healthy fortified foods.

The operation is performed in advanced stages of pathology, significant enlargement of cysts, relapses of nodular mastopathy, transformation into cancer and insufficient effectiveness of conservative treatment.

Often, sectoral resection (the cyst is removed along with a section of the gland) or enucleation of the cyst (removal of the formation itself) is prescribed. The operation is performed under general or local anesthesia. The duration of the operation is 40 minutes.

Cystic fibrous mastopathy: treatment with alternative medicine

For mild symptoms and small cysts, you can use herbal remedies as an additional treatment. Such drugs are effective and efficient, and also completely safe.

However, before seeking the help of alternative medicine, do not forget to consult your doctor. In addition, try not to abuse the ingredients and not exceed the dosages indicated in the recipes.

  1. The use of burdock. Rinse one leaf of the plant, wash it and lightly beat it (until the juice is released). Apply the sheet to the affected mammary gland and secure with a bandage. Go to bed with this compress. Burdock has a resolving effect.
  2. Treatment of pathology with cabbage leaves. Take a few cabbage leaves and grind them to a pasty consistency. Mix the raw materials with sour milk - a small amount. Lubricate the mammary gland butter, then apply a gauze napkin and apply the prepared mixture. Secure with a bandage. Go to bed with this compress.
  3. Application of the healing mixture. Combine equal proportions of honey and freshly squeezed juice lemon, radish, carrots, beets and the same amount of red homemade wine. Take 20 ml of the drug three times a day.
  4. Treatment of CFM with infusion. Mix a succession of yarrow and motherwort in equal proportions. Steam the raw material in the amount of 30 grams with boiled water - 500 ml. Leave the mixture to sit for an hour. Drink ½ glass of filtered drink four times a day.
  5. Application of miraculous collection. Mix wormwood with nettle, sage and plantain in equal proportions. Brew twenty grams of raw material in two hundred milliliters of boiling water. Place the mixture in a warm place for two hours. Take 50 ml of filtered drink three times a day.

In order to prevent the development of this pathology, it is recommended to undergo regular examination by a mammologist, promptly treat gynecological ailments, exclude abortions, do not shorten the period of breastfeeding, treat accompanying pathologies, give up bad habits, in particular smoking and alcohol abuse.