Fibrocystic Breasts
Fibrocystic breasts describe lumpy and rope-like breasts, also called nodular or glandular breast tissue.
Fibrocystic breasts are common. Over half of women experience breast changes sometime during their
lives. It is most likely to occur in women between the ages of 20 and 50, and is rare in women after
menopause, unless they are taking estrogen. Once called fibrocystic breast disease, this condition is
now referred to as fibrocystic breast or fibrocystic breast changes, as doctors no longer consider it a
disease.
Breast changes known as fibrocystic breasts are considered normal but they can result in breast pain,
tenderness and lumpiness, mainly in the upper, outer area of your breasts. The symptoms of fibrocystic
breasts ususally are worse just before menstruation.
If you have new areas of lumps or thickening in your breasts that continue after your period or if you
have specific areas where the pain persists or becomes worse it is important to visit your doctor to have
your breasts evaluated.
Symptoms
If you take birth control pills you may have fewer symptoms, and after menopuse your symptoms
usually improve. You may have more symptoms if you are on hormone therapy. Generally, symptoms
are worse right before your menstrual period and improve after your period starts.
Symptoms of fibrocystic breasts may include:
 Breast lumps or areas of thickening that tend to blend into surrounding breast tissue
 Fluctuating size of breast lumps
 Breasts that feel full, swollen and heavy
 Generalized breast pain or tenderness
 Pain or discomfort under the arms
 Changes that occur in both breasts, rather than just one
 Green or dark brown nonbloody discharge that tends to leak without pressure or squeeezing
 Monthly increase in breast pain or lumpiness from midcycle (ovulation) to just before your
period
You should see your doctor if you find a new breast lump or area of thickening that continues after your
period, if a lump that has previously been evaluated appears to have grown or has changed, if you have
discharge from your nipple that is clear,
red or bloody, or if you have redness or puckering of the skin, or flattening or indentation of the nipple.
Causes
The cause of fibrocystic breasts is not known, but medical scientists believe that reproductive
hormones, especially estrogen play a role.Women who are not menopausal usually experience
discomfort with the fluctuation of hormones during their menstrual cycle. These fluctuations can cause
your breasts to have areas of lumpy thickening that feel sore, tender and swollen. These fibrocystic
breast changes usually feel worse before your menstrual period. The lumpiness and pain tend to go
away when your menstrual period begins.
Tests and Diagnosis
Tests that may be performed to evaluate your condition may include:
Clinical breast exam. Your doctor will check for unusual areas manually and visually by examining
your breasts and the lymph nodes located around your lower neck and underarm area. If your breast
changes are found to be normal you may not require additional tests. If an unusual lump is found or if
fibrocystic changes have occurred your doctor may ask you to return after your menstrual period for
another breast exam to see if the changes were due to your menstrual cycle. If the changes continue,
you may need a mammogram or ultrasound.
Mammogram. Your doctor may recommend a mammogram, which is an x-ray exam to evaluate your
breast, if a lump is detected or any unusual thickening in your breast tissue. Even if your breast exam
is normal your doctor may recommend a mammogram to look at suspicious areas in your breast that
may be too small to feel or if you are 30 or older.
Ultrasound. When your doctor recommends an ultrasound, sound waves will produce images of your
breasts, it is frequently performed with a mammogram. Women under 30 may have an ultrasound to
better evaluate their breast tissue. Ultrasound is also useful in distinguishing between fluid-filled breast
cysts and solid masses.
Fine-needle aspiration. If your doctor believes you have a lump that is the consistency of a cyst a fine
needle aspiration may be used to see if fluid can be withdrawn from the lump. This procedure can take
place in the office.
Breast Biopsy. If your doctor recommends a breast biopsy a small sample of breast tissue will be
removed for microscopic analysis.
Treatment.
If you experience no symptoms or have mild symptoms no treatment is needed. Should you have
severe pain or large painful cysts associated with fibrocystic breast changes, your doctor may
recommend treatment. Treatment for breast cysts include the following:
Fine-needle aspiration. Using a hair-thin needle your doctor will drain the fluid from a breast cyst
which will remove it and alleviate the discomfort it caused.
Surgical excision. Sometimes, while rare, surgery is necessary to remove a persistent cyst-like lump
that is not resolved after repeatedly being aspirated and monitored.
Treatment for breast pain includes the following:
 Oral contraceptives, which lower the levels of hormones associated with fibrocystic breasts
 Prescription medication
Self-care and home remedies
 Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or nonsteroidal antiimflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
 Apply heat or ice
 Wear a well-fitting sports bra
 Decrease fat in your diet
 Use a heating pad or warm bottle
 Reduce or stop taking hormone therapy, if you are post menopausal---- always talk to your
doctor before making any change in your prescription medications
 Limit or avoid caffeine, some women indicate that eliminating caffeine from their diet is
helpful, although there is no conclusive medical evidence to support this belief.
Fibrocystic breast changes do not increase your risk of breast cancer. Be sure to speak to your doctor
about any concerns that you have regarding breast changes.
References
"Fibrocystic Breasts." Mayo Clinic. March 8, 2013.
"Fibrocystic Breast Changes." National Institutes of Health. November 15, 2012.