Mastodynia - Specialists and information on breast pain

What woman hasn't experienced it? Breast pain that often occurs shortly before menstruation? Specialists refer to these cycle-related symptoms in the tissue or nipples as mastodynia. The symptoms of mastodynia are a sensitive issue for girls and women. Many of them suspect signs of breast cancer and suffer from anxiety.

Below you will find information on the diagnosis and treatment of breast pain as well as specialists for the treatment of mastodynia.

What is mastodynia?

Do you feel a painful pulling sensation or increased sensitivity when you touch your breasts? Then you often have mastodynia.

Sometimes there is also a burning sensation, stinging or palpable lumps. These specific complaints are particularly common in women between the ages of 35 and 55.

Such feelings of tension in the breast area can have many causes. The pain usually occurs shortly before or during menstruation. This is because strong hormonal fluctuations are common in the last phase of a woman's biological rhythm. This often leads to a concentration of water in the breast tissue, which usually causes the unpleasant swelling.

Two out of three women suffer from mastodynia @ motortion /AdobeStock

How do these symptoms affect those affected?

As cyclical mastodynia usually lasts for several days, there are often physical or psychological complications.

In addition to attacks of pain and inflammation in the breasts, women suffer from migraines or back pain shortly before their period. These symptoms are part of the typical premenstrual syndrome.

Some women are depressed or irritable. There is a pronounced instability in their mood. In addition to nervousness, there is also a disturbed drive.

What are the risk factors for mastodynia?

Both gynecological and completely different triggers must be considered for the symptoms of mastodynia.

A purely gynecological risk factor for causing breast pain is mastopathy. This affects around 50 percent of all girls and women.

Mastopathy is a modification of the breast that is not due to tissue growth. As a rule, it is rather a degenerative regression in the cell tissue of the mammary glands.

The cause is disruptive factors in the hormonal balance. Often too much oestrogen. There is a lack of balance between oestrogen and progesterone, with the latter being produced in the corpus luteum and the placenta.

In addition to the lack of progesterone, the pill also has a negative effect on the hormone balance. A lack of hormones from the thyroid gland is also problematic.

How do gynecologists examine mastodynia?

Initially, a medical history is taken for the diagnosis. During the consultation, the gynecologist first asks about the type of cycle and inquires about pregnancies.

The specialist will then ask questions about any medication you are taking . This includes the contraceptive pill in particular. Finally, the doctor would like to obtain information about cases of breast cancer in the family of origin. Finally, the type and local occurrence of your breast complaints are also important.

It is useful if you keep a monthly diary of your breast pain. In this way, the doctor can recognize a connection to your period.

During a more detailed examination, your gynecologist will palpate your breasts. At the beginning of the cycle, the breasts are usually softer and less sensitive to pain. This is why this is the ideal time for a diagnosis. The specialist will also examine the lymph vessels under the collarbone and in the armpits.

The gynaecologist uses X-rays and ultrasound to detect abscesses, cysts, tumors and dilated milk ducts. This medical technology aims to rule out more serious diseases.

Ultrasound examination for mastodynia @ Yakobchuk Olena /AdobeStock

What options are there for effective treatment?

Various treatment methods are available to treat cycle-related mastodynia. These vary depending on the duration and severity of the typical symptoms. The use of a gel containing the hormone progesterone on the painful breast is usually a successful therapy.

In general, the aim is to reduce the excess oestrogen at the hormonal level during the second half of the cycle . The administration of an ovulation inhibitor proves to be effective here, especially in younger women, and alleviates the symptoms of mastodynia.

In extreme cases of cycle-related breast pain, treatment with danazol is beneficial. Danazol is a derivative of testosterone, which causes the release of the follicle hormone FSH. However, there are also disadvantages that lead to androgenic effects.

For milder symptoms, herbal agents are a good option.

These include:

• Virgin linseed oil
• Monk's pepper
• Evening primrose oil
• Vitamin E

Conclusion: course and prognosis of mastodynia

The typical symptoms of mastodynia subside quickly after the onset of menstruation. However, it is advisable to consult a gynecologist if the symptoms become more severe. Treatments with a specific progesterone gel are generally successful.

Glossary

Cycle: approximately four-week period in women (development of the egg)

Menstruation: periodic bleeding from the uterus in the absence of pregnancy

Cyclical mastodynia: repeated breast discomfort during the second half of the cycle

Premenstrual syndrome: a complex of complaints shortly before a woman's period

Mastopathy: benign changes in the breast during childbearing years

Oestrogen: female sex hormone

Corpus luteum: a gland that forms regularly in the ovary, producing a yellow pigment and a sex hormone

Progesterone: hormone from the corpus luteum that triggers pregnancy processes

Anamnesis: sequence of diseases according to the patient's information

Lymph vessels: conduit for fluids that support the immune system

Ovulation inhibitor: means of preventing conception (contraceptive pill)

Testosterone: male sex hormone

Follicle: Envelope of the maturing egg cell

Follicle hormone: see under oestrogen and follicle

FSH: abbreviation for "follicle stimulating hormone"

Androgenic effects: promote male sexual characteristics