Dishormonal mastopathy: manifestations and therapeutic measures

One of the most common female diseases is mastopathy. It occurs due to a sharp imbalance in the hormonal balance in the body, which leads to pathological changes in the breast tissue.

Dishormonal mastopathy requires taking yourself seriously, and although there is an opinion that this disease always has a benign basis and therefore is not very dangerous, you need to remember the risk of it becoming malignant.

It is important not to miss this moment.

Only a doctor can make a diagnosis of mastopathy and correctly determine its form.

Causes of dishormonal mastopathy

Mastopathy can be diffuse (cystic, fibrous, mixed type) or nodular. The fibrocystic and nodular forms, characterized by the presence of foci with dense nodes in the breasts, are considered more dangerous.

In almost 100 percent of cases, mastopathy is considered dyshormonal, since its appearance is based on hormonal imbalance. There is also an involutive form of mastopathy that occurs in older women (over 40 years old), in whom the structure of the mammary gland tissue changes over time, the skin becomes thinner, and the glandular tissue is replaced by adipose tissue.

Involutive changes in breast tissue are characteristic of menopausal women

There are common factors that contribute to hormonal imbalance and the appearance of dishormonal mastopathy in all age groups:

• hereditary predisposition;
• disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries;
• chronic endocrine diseases, liver diseases;
• the presence of a number of gynecological diseases (adnexitis, inflammation of the appendages, endometriosis, etc.);
• reproductive factors (birth after 30 years, short period of feeding the child, absence of pregnancies, frequent abortions, menopause before 45 years or after 55 years);
• frequent stress;
• unhealthy diet, obesity.

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of mastopathy, since adipose tissue also synthesizes estrogens

The possibility of dyshormonal mastopathy occurring is high in women with early puberty, characterized by rapid growth of the mammary glands and early onset of menstruation.

A hormonal imbalance in a girl’s body, which is not ready for changes, usually makes itself felt at a later age with problems with the mammary glands.

Symptoms of the disease

The symptoms of dishormonal mastopathy are almost equally pronounced in all women, regardless of their age, if they have excess estrogen in their bodies.

Pain can be localized in one point of the chest, spread to the entire gland and even adjacent areas

This disease can be identified by the following signs:

• painful sensations of a different nature (stabbing, aching, dull, bursting);
• disturbances in the structure of the skin on the chest (in later stages it may become lumpy);
• swelling of the glands or their asymmetry;
• enlarged lymph nodes under the arms;
• possible discharge from the nipples, the appearance of cracks on them.

These signs are most pronounced in women of childbearing age. Most often, this is pain in the breasts, radiating to the shoulder, shoulder blade, axillary area and occurring before the onset of menstruation.

Women often mistake breast pain associated with mastopathy for premenstrual syndrome

Women who are in menopause have less pain, so they should pay closer attention to the condition of their breasts.

Symptoms of all forms of diffuse mastopathy are manifested by one or more signs from this list. The nodular form of the disease may be asymptomatic, and lumps are often detected during breast examination (either on your own or by a doctor), ultrasound or mammography.

Diagnosis of pathology

All diseases of the mammary glands require timely diagnosis, as there is a risk of their oncological degeneration. Any detected pathology should be a reason to visit a mammologist.

To make a diagnosis, instrumental studies are necessary

The presence of mastopathy can be definitely stated only after a manual examination by a doctor and a number of additional checks, such as mammography, ultrasound examination of the breasts and cytological examination, which are carried out if mastopathy is suspected.

If a dangerous nodular form of mastopathy is detected, the doctor may additionally refer you for examination to an oncologist to exclude the possibility of a malignant course of the disease.

Treatment of dishormonal mastopathy

The treatment regimen is selected by the doctor individually for each patient, taking into account the type of mastopathy, the presence of concomitant diseases and the state of her hormonal levels.

Prescribing corrective therapy requires determining the level of hormones in the body

Since the disease appears as a result of a dyshormonal disorder in the female body, the doctor must take into account what exactly caused these disorders.

Conservative treatment of the diffuse form of the disease can last a long time before yielding positive results. The tactics of such treatment are determined based on the results of a thorough examination of the patient.

Treatment of cystic or mixed mastopathy is often carried out comprehensively, with the combined use of hormonal drugs and surgical intervention. During surgical treatment, which is carried out for advanced forms of these types of disease, the woman undergoes a fine-needle puncture of the cyst, followed by drainage and sclerosis.

During the puncture, under ultrasound control, material is taken for cytological examination, and a medicine is injected into the cyst to promote fusion of its walls.

Drug treatment of diffuse type of mastopathy

At the initial and middle stages of the disease, treatment of mastopathy takes a gentle form, including a certain diet and vitamin therapy. Non-hormonal preparations of plant origin are effective. The most common of these drugs, which has proven its effectiveness, is Mastodinon.

It is considered a preventive measure for women who are at risk of developing mastopathy, or who already have symptoms of this disease. The drug consists of natural plant extracts, so it can only bring benefits, as proven by the practice of its use.

Klamin and Klimadinon have similar properties. For patients in menopause, the use of a combination of two drugs, Climadinon and Mastodinon, is considered effective, which reduces the manifestations of unpleasant symptoms of menopause, which complicate the treatment of mastopathy.

For the treatment of mastopathy in pre- and menopausal women, additional use of Klimadinon is recommended

Other conservative treatments

The main direction of treatment is to correct the quantity and quality of hormones in the body, for which sedatives, mineral and vitamin complexes, and adaptogens are used.

Other methods of conservative therapy are:

1. Use of hormonal drugs.
   Hormone therapy is prescribed to obtain a quick effect while restoring the normal balance of hormones in the body. For menopausal patients, the drug Livial with estrogenic and gestagenic action is recommended. Other women can be prescribed Duphaston, Utrozhestan. A gel containing natural progesterone is used externally. These hormonal agents help improve the condition of the mammary glands and eliminate the symptoms of the disease within a few months of their use. Hormonal drugs, including birth control pills, for mastopathy are used only under the supervision of a doctor
2. Use of oral contraceptives. Thanks to these products, which contain the hormones necessary for treatment, two goals are achieved. At the same time, hormonal balancing occurs in the body and the onset of unwanted pregnancy is excluded.
3. Taking diuretics. They are used to rid the body of excess fluid that accumulates in the chest lobules and leads to the formation of edema and compaction.
4. Use of sedatives and adaptogens.
   Long-term use is recommended, as the drugs have a calming effect on the body, including the condition of the mammary gland tissue. No less effective are adaptogens (Eleutherococcus, Rhodiola rosea, etc.), which have a general strengthening effect. Eleutherococcus extract increases the body's overall resistance to disease
5. Taking vitamins. Vitamins used in combination have several beneficial properties. Vitamin A has an anti-estrogenic effect, E - enhances the effect of progesterone, C and P - reduce swelling of the breasts, improve microcirculation in them, B6 - reduces prolactin levels.
6. The use of painkillers to relieve pain.
7. The use of herbal medicine.
   Herbal remedies in the form of herbal mixtures can influence metabolism, improve it, and also remove toxins from the female body and increase immunity. In the acute form of mastopathy, with severe pain, it is possible to use medicinal decoctions, but only after agreeing on their type with the attending physician, in order to exclude the opposite effect. Herbal treatment is used in addition to drug therapy
8. Dieting. Studies have shown that if patients with mastopathy have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, liver, treatment of the mammary glands must necessarily be accompanied by adherence to a diet. It should be rich in fiber and vitamins. You need to drink 1.5–2 liters of fluid per day. Coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, which negatively affect breast tissue, are undesirable in the diet of patients.

Treatment of nodular dishormonal mastopathy

Nodular mastopathy cannot be treated with medication; it requires surgical intervention, because a benign formation may hide a malignant tumor.

This form of the disease requires surgical treatment, including either sectoral or radical removal of the breast, the decision about which is made depending on the extent of the spread of the process.

The operation of sectoral resection makes it possible to preserve the mammary gland

In this case, it will be necessary to eliminate concomitant diseases, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s body. For example, effective treatment of the mammary glands with preparations containing iodine is not prescribed to women with diseases associated with the biliary tract and liver. They are treated with hepatoprotectors.

Prevention measures

Due to the prevalence of dishormonal mastopathy, every woman needs to know the basic rules for preventing this disease.

Preventive measures will help maintain breast health for a long time

Hormonal levels can be disrupted for various reasons, and since the mammary glands are especially sensitive to the slightest dissonance in the body, women should be very careful about their health and prevent the appearance of factors that provoke disruption of hormonal levels.

The main measures to prevent the disease for every woman are:

• introduction of the practice of monthly breast self-examination;
• healthy lifestyle, absence of bad habits (smoking, alcohol);
• proper nutrition, adequate sleep;
• ability to control stressful conditions.

The ability to remain calm in any situation has a positive effect on the condition of not only the breasts, but also the entire body.

If dishormonal mastopathy is detected in a timely manner, its treatment is effective, which cannot be said about visiting doctors in an advanced stage of the disease, the treatment of which creates a lot of problems, sometimes insoluble. Therefore, women need to constantly monitor the condition of the mammary glands and seek medical help at the slightest deviation from the norm.

A gynecologist-mammologist will tell you about the effect of hormonal contraceptives on the mammary gland:

Source: http://bolezni.com/stati-o-boleznyah/mastopatiya/klinika-disgormonalnoj-mastopatii.html

Dishormonal mastopathy: causes and methods of treatment

Dishormonal mastopathy is a pathological proliferation of breast tissue, which is diagnosed in women aged 30-45 years, as well as during menopause. The disease rarely affects girls under 25 years of age. Moreover, at any age, the disease is associated with hormonal disorders in the body. Therefore, it is the stabilization of hormonal levels that becomes the main task of the attending physician.

Forms of the disease

In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish several types of mastopathy. But often patients experience mixed forms.

• Diffuse mastopathy. Most often diagnosed in the early stages of the disease. At this stage, the glandular tissue of the breast grows, forming multiple small nodules (cysts). As a rule, the disease affects both breasts and spreads evenly. Diffuse mastopathy with a predominance of cystic and fibrous (connective tissue) components is also distinguished. If all the tissues grow, a diagnosis of mixed mastopathy is made.
• Nodal. At this stage, the overgrown tissue begins to form dense, easily palpable nodes 1-5 cm in diameter. Unlike the diffuse form, which can affect only one breast, lumps are found on the upper part of the mammary gland.

Diffuse mastopathy is typical for young women, but nodular mastopathy develops from the age of 40. The climacteric form of the disease, which is characterized by the formation of large nodes (cysts), is sometimes distinguished as a separate category.

Mastopathy is a hormonal disease that promotes the growth of benign tumors. But women with this diagnosis need to remember the main danger of the disease - the degeneration of tumor tissue into malignant. And although there is still debate in the medical community about whether mastopathy is associated with cancer, women with such a diagnosis are considered to be at risk for oncology.

Causes of the disease

Hormonal imbalances, which lead to the proliferation of glandular or connective tissue, are of different types. The following hormones come to the fore:

• Estrogens (female sex hormones).
• Progesterone (one of the female sex hormones).
• Prolactin.
• Thyroid hormones.

Mastopathy develops when the body’s production or elimination of these substances is impaired. The main factors of such hormonal imbalances:

• Gynecological diseases, including: endometriosis, tumors of the uterus and ovaries.
• Diseases of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis).
• Pathologies of the pituitary gland and adrenal glands.
• Liver dysfunction (the organ responsible for excreting estrogens).
• Abortions, miscarriages, late births or their absence, other problems related to reproductive function.
• Too short (1 month) or too long (1.5-2 years) breastfeeding period. Provokes disruptions in the production of prolactin.
• Menstrual irregularities. It is especially important to pay attention to this for women aged 25-35 years, since the symptom may indicate serious hormonal imbalances.
• Menopause, menopause.
• Long-term use of oral contraceptives (without consulting a gynecologist).
• Hormonal therapy.

Disturbances in a woman’s body occur with a certain lifestyle. So, hormone levels are affected by:

• Stress, nervous tension.
• Overeating, obesity.
• Physical inactivity or excessive physical activity.
• A diet with a predominance of simple carbohydrates (sweets, baked goods, pasta, sweet carbonated water, etc.).
• Chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Lack of sleep.
• Bad habits: smoking, alcohol abuse.
• Chest injuries.

It is recommended for patients with a hereditary predisposition to the disease to undergo preventive examinations and pay attention to the condition of the mammary glands. If among your relatives there were women with mastopathy or breast cancer, breast screening should be done once a year starting at age 25.

Symptoms of mastopathy

Dishormonal mastopathy in the early stages (in diffuse form) practically does not manifest itself with characteristic symptoms. Women complain of discomfort only 3-7 days before menstruation; at other times there are no signs of illness. Moreover, in 20% the disease is asymptomatic. If mastopathy makes itself felt, it manifests itself like this:

• Drawing and bursting pain before menstruation.
• Minor swelling of the chest.
• Heaviness in the mammary glands.
• Hypersensitivity, breast tenderness.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced, including the following:

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits.
• Pain and swelling that do not subside throughout the menstrual cycle.
• Lumpy skin on the chest, noticeable indentations, tight skin.
• Asymmetry of the mammary glands (in the position with arms down and arms up).
• When palpating the mammary gland, lumps are felt (nodular mastopathy).
• Discharge from the nipples is light yellow, whitish or greenish in color. Blood impurities are considered one of the symptoms of a malignant process, but only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnosis and self-diagnosis of mastopathy

The key factor in successful treatment of mastopathy is often early diagnosis. Therefore, women are recommended to undergo preventive examinations with a mammologist, and after 35 years, have a mammogram every 2 years.

Self-diagnosis is another important aspect of early detection of the disease. If you experience discomfort before menstruation, you should definitely contact a gynecologist or mammologist with this complaint.

In the first week after your period, you should do a simple home examination. The chest is palpated in front of a mirror with the arm raised, lowered and moved to the side. It is necessary to assess the condition of the skin, see if there are any tight areas, and whether the breasts are symmetrical. If any suspicious lumps are detected or there is pain, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If mastopathy is suspected, the mammologist will conduct the following examinations:

• Examination with palpation of the mammary glands.
• Ultrasound (women under 35 years old).
• Mammography (women over 35 years old). It is carried out on the 6-12th day after the first day of menstruation. Women in menopause can undergo examination on any convenient day.
• Hormone analysis (the level of estrogen, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormones is checked).

To clarify the diagnosis and select treatment, the following examinations are additionally prescribed:

• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
• Biopsy (if cancer is suspected).
• MRI of the mammary glands to clarify the location and number of tumors.

Treatment methods for mastopathy

Dyshormonal mastopathy is treated conservatively or surgically. Surgery is resorted to in extreme cases, in advanced forms of nodular mastopathy and the danger of the tumor degenerating into a malignant one. Surgical intervention is used if:

• The tumor is growing rapidly.
• There are suspicions of cancer.
• Conservative treatment methods did not help.

Mastopathy is a consequence of hormonal disorders, so surgery only partially solves the problem and without proper treatment the disease returns.

Doctors recommend the following methods of conservative therapy:

• Hormonal medications. They will be able to control estrogen levels or suppress the production of prolactin. Among the drugs: Livial, Duphaston, Utrozhestan, Progestogel gel.
• Herbal preparations. You can restore hormonal balance with the help of the following medications: Klimadinon, Klamin and Mastodinon.
• Vitamin and mineral complexes.
• Oral contraceptives. They are used as a treatment option, strictly under the supervision of a doctor and after hormonal tests.
• Diuretics. Helps reduce swelling.
• Sedatives. The herbs of valerian and motherwort and sedatives are often prescribed.

In addition, mammologists recommend a special therapeutic diet. Its main characteristics:

• 1.5-2 liters of clean water per day.
• Exclusion of coffee, chocolate, cocoa, strong black tea.
• Refusal of alcohol.
• Eating vegetables and fruits (it is important to increase the fiber content in the diet).

Prevention of mastopathy development

Dishormonal mastopathy is one of those diseases that is much easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, prevention should be done from the age of 18-20 years. And it is especially worth paying attention to preventive measures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, if there is a predisposition to the development of the disease, during menopause, menopause.

The following rules will help prevent the development of the disease:

• Adequate sleep (at least 8 hours) and proper rest.
• Proper nutrition.
• Timely treated gynecological diseases.
• Moderate exercise. It is best to choose species with a low risk of injury. Yoga, swimming, Pilates are suitable.
• Quitting smoking and alcohol abuse.
• Proper nutrition, do not overeat or go hungry.

Women must undergo preventive examinations - annually with a gynecologist, once every 2 years with a mammologist.

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Source: http://mastomed.ru/vidy-simptomy-prichiny/disgormonalnaja-mastopatija.html

What is dishormonal mastopathy?

Nowadays, one of the most common breast diseases is dishormonal mastopathy. As a result of some reason, a violation of the concentration of hormones occurs in the blood of women, affecting breast tissue and leading to the appearance of pathological changes. Although many women prefer to ignore the signs of the disease for a long time, it must be treated when the first symptoms appear, since mastopathy not only affects the well-being of patients, but can also cause breast cancer.

Causes

Almost always, the cause of the disease lies in a disruption of the ovaries, which leads to a hormonal imbalance, which is why dishormonal mastopathy occurs. The disease usually affects women of childbearing age, but it can also be diagnosed during menopause.

In this case, the most susceptible to the disease are women whose menopause began too early (before 45 years) or late (after 55 years). During menopause, a woman's body may produce excess amounts of estrogen.

The emerging imbalance affects the condition of the mammary glands and can lead to fusion of glandular and connective tissue.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the onset of the disease in patients of any age:

• heredity;
• liver diseases;
• thyroid diseases;
• unstable mental state (frequent mood swings, constant stress);
• poor nutrition and constant stress;
• lack of a full sex life;
• abortions and early miscarriages;
• absence of children or late childbirth (after 30 years);
• too short-term (up to 1 month) or long-term (more than a year) breastfeeding;
• obesity.

Symptoms

The signs of dyshormonal mastopathy both in women of childbearing age and in women during menopause are almost identical:

• pain in the mammary glands;
• violation of the skin of the breast (appearance of tuberosity);
• enlarged axillary lymph nodes;
• breast swelling;
• asymmetry of the glands;
• possible damage to the nipples (discharge, peeling or cracks).

However, it must be remembered that during menopause the symptoms of mastopathy are not so pronounced, so women during this period need to be especially careful about the condition of their breasts.

Forms of the disease

Dishormonal mastopathy in patients can manifest itself in several forms:

1. Diffuse. This is the initial form of the disease. When it occurs, the connective tissue of the breast grows, cords and small millet-like nodules appear. Depending on what type of tissue predominates, the following types of diffuse mastopathy are distinguished:
   • with a predominance of glandular tissue;
   • with a predominance of the fibrous component;
   • with a predominance of the cystic component;
   • mixed form of the disease.
2. Nodal. As the disease develops, dense nodes appear in the tissues of the gland (their size ranges from a pea to a walnut).

Mastopathy affects women of any age. In adolescents, a diffuse form of the disease is usually found, but during menopause, the formation of single large cysts is more often possible. There is even a special type of disease called menopause.

During this period of life, estrogen decreases in the body of women, but during certain periods their amount may still exceed the amount of progesterone.

The seals themselves are mainly located in the upper outer quadrant of the gland, the reason for which is the peculiarity of the structure and blood supply of the breast.

Diagnostics

All diseases of the mammary gland can cause the development of cancer, so timely diagnosis of each detected pathology is very important. Any signs of mastopathy should prompt a visit to a specialist. The diagnosis of “dishormonal mastopathy” is made based on the following examinations:

• examination by a doctor of the patient’s breast;
• mammography;
• Ultrasound of the breast;
• cytological examination.

Treatment

The doctor selects tactics to combat mastopathy individually for each patient, taking into account the form of the disease, the presence of concomitant diseases and the patient’s hormonal status. The fight against the disease is long and can take many years. The nodular form often requires surgical intervention.

Dishormonal mastopathy is treated comprehensively. Typically, a specialist prescribes the following groups of medications:

• Herbal preparations. When treating mastopathy, Klimadinon, Klamin and Mastodinon are usually prescribed. During menopause, many patients experience various menopausal symptoms, which bring a lot of discomfort to patients. This complicates the treatment of mastopathy, since the disease is characterized by excessive exposure to endogenous estrogens in breast tissue and when prescribing products containing exogenous estrogens, the situation may worsen. In this case, many doctors prefer to use a combination of the drugs Mastodinon and Klimadinon.
• Hormonal drugs. The doctor has a number of drugs of this type at his disposal. For example, during menopause, Livial is prescribed; it has a gestagenic, estrogenic and slight androgenic effect. Patients with hyperprolactinemia can be prescribed Parlodel. The most used gestagens are Duphaston and Utrozhestan. The most commonly prescribed external remedy is Progestogel, a gel for external use that contains natural progesterone.
• Oral contraceptives. Taking drugs of this type improves the condition of the mammary glands, and the signs of the disease almost completely disappear after several months of use.
• Diuretics are used to get rid of excess fluid that can accumulate in the lobules of the breast, which leads to the appearance of formations.
• Sedatives. They are used when patients have pronounced excitation reactions.
• Painkillers are necessary to relieve pain.
• Drugs that improve blood circulation.

In addition, doctors use the following methods:

• Herbal medicine. To combat the disease, special herbal preparations are used, the effect of which is aimed at normalizing metabolism, removing toxins from the patient’s body and stimulating the immune system.
• Dieting. For mastopathy, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of tea, chocolate, coffee and cocoa and increase the amount of food rich in fiber. With this disease, you need to take at least 1.5 - 2 liters of fluid per day.
• Taking vitamins (P, C, E, A, B).

Prevention

As already mentioned, dishormonal mastopathy is one of the most common breast diseases in women. In this regard, prevention of its occurrence becomes important. Doctors recommend following several rules:

• Perform monthly breast self-exams;
• visit a mammologist regularly;
• lead a healthy lifestyle;
• avoid stress;
• get enough sleep (sleep should take at least 8 hours);
• do not smoke or drink alcohol;
• do physical education;
• Healthy food.

The mammary glands in women are a reflection of the hormonal status of the body as a whole. They are influenced by hormones of many different types, and they are sensitive to any hormonal disturbances.

That is why, in youth and during menopause, you need to monitor the condition of your breasts so as not to miss the initial signs of mastopathy and seek help in a timely manner.

The doctor will be able to select adequate therapy, which will allow women to enjoy every day of life without experiencing discomfort in the mammary glands.

Source: http://VashMammolog.ru/mastopatiya/mastopatiya-disgormonalnaya.html

Dishormonal mastopathy

Mastopathy is considered the most common disease among the female population. A number of factors encourage its development, these include genetic predisposition, endocrine disorders in the body, concomitant diseases of the genital area, poor ecology, as well as the lifestyle of the woman herself.

This disease is insidious in that, originating as benign neoplasms in the breast, they can quickly develop into malignant ones. Most often, the disease is detected in older women during menopause. In young girls, it is rare to find mastopathy, but it will be associated with hormonal disorders.

It is believed that heredity plays an important role in the development of pathology. If maternal relatives have benign or malignant neoplasms, then the risk of getting sick is very high.

There are a number of other reasons why mastopathy develops:

• Hypofunction of the thyroid gland.
• Iodine deficiency. It contributes to disruption of the connection between the hypothalamus (the area that regulates the neuroendocrine activity of the brain, which maintains the constancy of the internal environment of the body) and the mammary gland.
• Gynecological diseases: endometriosis, tumors of the uterus or ovaries, disruption of the development cycle of eggs in the ovary, which leads to insufficiency of the corpus luteum.
• Problems related to the reproductive system, such as abortion or miscarriage.
• Refusal of breastfeeding or too long a period of breastfeeding.
• Menstrual irregularities in young women.
• Hormonal treatment.
• Taking hormonal contraceptives without first consulting a doctor.
• Increased estrogen levels.
• Progesterone deficiency.

Reasons that may contribute to the development of mastopathy include:

• Constant stress or depression.
• Obesity.
• Sleep disturbance, insomnia.
• Chronic fatigue.
• Excessive consumption of sugars.
• Physical inactivity.
• Lifting weights.
• Injuries to the chest area.
• Bad habits: smoking, alcohol.

Do not forget that mastopathy can lead to cancer. Especially if it goes undiagnosed and untreated for a long time.

Clinical symptoms of mastopathy are different. Let's consider the manifestations of diffuse mastopathy:

• Pain in the mammary glands that occurs a few days before menstruation. They can intensify, and at the end of this period they either decrease or disappear.
• The pain may intensify and radiate under the shoulder blade or armpit.
• A light touch to the chest causes pain.
• When palpated, granular compactions can be detected. It has no clear boundaries.
• When pressing on the nipples, various discharges are possible.
• Swelling of the mammary gland.
• Enlarged border lymph nodes.

Picture of nodular mastopathy:

• Lumps in the chest with clear boundaries.
• No pain. It can only occur during the premenstrual period. Then the breast swells, changing symmetry in relation to the other. The lump also becomes painful. The pain may radiate to the shoulder blade and armpit.
• Nipple discharge.

This form of the disease may not manifest itself in any way and can be detected either by the woman herself during self-examination, or at a doctor’s appointment or during mammography.

Forms of the disease 

Mastopathy comes in 2 forms:

• Diffuse. It is characteristic of a disease at an early stage of its development. The glandular tissue in the chest begins to grow and forms numerous small nodules. This form affects both breasts. The uniformity of the spread of the pathological process is also inherent. It may be diffuse in nature - a large number of small formations are detected. Cystic - a clearly formed node is found. The disease can also be mixed.
• Nodal. It often affects only one breast. This form is characterized by the formation of nodes that can be palpated. They are dense and clearly defined. It affects the mammary gland on its upper part. Breast cancer may develop in this form of the disease. Based on what processes occur in the epithelium, one can distinguish a simple and proliferative form. The latter is considered a precancerous condition, because there is a process of transformation of benign cells into malignant ones.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of mastopathy is made through examination and palpation by a doctor and hardware examination. Upon examination, the clinical picture of the disease is established. With the hardware method, ultrasound or mammography is used.

It should be remembered that mammography cannot be done for pregnant and lactating women and is indicated for women only from the age of 35.

To make a final diagnosis, you can use laboratory blood tests for hormones. If a malignant tumor is suspected, a tissue biopsy and further study are performed.

The mammologist makes a diagnosis not only on the basis of clinical methods, but also on the data of radiography, echography, cytological and morphological research methods.

A biopsy of the affected tissue is performed for oncology, and an ultrasound is performed to determine the size of the lump, its location and the nature of the formation.

Blood tests are performed for progesterone and estrogen, thyroid hormones. They also do a pelvic ultrasound.

Treatment

It depends on the form of the disease. Let's consider treatment methods for diffuse mastopathy?

• Conservative treatment. Elimination of hormonal imbalance. Identification of the root cause of the pathology. Elimination of the factor that caused mastopathy. Improving the patient's quality of life. Vitamin therapy. Therapy of gynecological diseases. As well as following a special diet that will help reduce weight and estrogen levels in the blood. Perhaps local - in the form of special ointments or creams. For pain, painkillers are used.
• Operational. It is relevant only when there is a suspicion of cancerous degeneration or severe proliferation of connective tissue. In this case, surgical removal of the affected tissue is used.

For the nodular form, conservative treatment is also used, which is aimed at normalizing the level of hormones in the blood and treating gynecological diseases. Taking diuretics is also indicated. They will help remove excess fluid from the body and reduce swelling.

Mostly surgical intervention is used. It depends on the size and nature of the pathology. When a cyst forms, it is punctured and the contents are removed. If the cyst forms again, it is cut out.

If a fibroadenoma is detected, the tumor or part of the mammary gland is removed.

To prevent the onset of illness, you should pay attention to your overall health. Diagnose and treat gynecological diseases in a timely manner. Organize proper breastfeeding while minimizing trauma and pressure.

Follow the principles of proper nutrition, which will supply the body with useful microelements and minerals. Lead a healthy lifestyle. To refuse from bad habits. Exercise in moderation. Maintain a sleep schedule. Do not overeat, monitor the level of sugar consumed. Minimize stress and depression.

In conclusion, it can be said that preventing a disease is better than treating it. The main thing is to pay close attention to all measures of its prevention.

Source: https://www.mammologia.ru/zabolevanija/mastopatiya/disgormonalnaya/

Dishormonal diseases of the mammary glands

Pathological benign changes in the mammary glands are one of the most common groups of diseases. It should be noted that dyshormonal diseases of the mammary glands are relatively often combined with various gynecological and neuroendocrine diseases.

Women with benign dyshormonal diseases of the mammary glands are at risk for the possible development of cancer. Mastopathy or fibrocystic disease is the most common disease of the mammary glands. Its frequency is 30-35%, and in combination with gynecological diseases increases to 52-70%.

The mammary glands, as well as other organs of the reproductive system, are target organs for the effects of steroid sex hormones . The condition of the mammary gland and the changes that occur in it are directly related to menstrual function and the mechanisms of its regulation.

During the reproductive period, all processes of growth and development of the mammary glands are hormonally determined. Moreover, each hormone performs its own specific function in relation to the mammary gland. Full function of the mammary gland is ensured by the normal level and ratio of hormones involved in the regulation of its function.

Estrogens have the most important effect on the condition and function of the mammary glands .

Factors contributing to the development of dishormonal pathology of the mammary glands: the presence of benign and malignant pathology of the mammary glands in the mother and close maternal relatives; age over 40 years; endocrine disorders of menstrual function; diseases of other endocrine organs; stressful situations leading to disruption of neuro-endocrine regulation; abortions and spontaneous miscarriages in early pregnancy; obesity (especially in combination with insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension); no history of pregnancy or childbirth; late first pregnancy and childbirth (after 30 years); absence, short or very long period of feeding; early menarche (before 12 years of age) the onset of menstruation.

The most important pathological mechanism that leads to the development of breast diseases is a decrease in progesterone levels against the background of excess estrogen levels. Against the background of similar hormonal changes, diseases such as endometrial hyperplastic processes, endometriosis and uterine fibroids develop.

Classification of breast diseases

Benign changes in the mammary glands, according to radiological signs, are divided into diffuse benign dysplasia (adenosis, fibroadenosis, diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy) and local forms (cysts, fibroadenomas, ductectasia, nodular proliferations).

According to the WHO histological classification (1984), mastopathy is defined as a fibrocystic disease and is characterized by a wide range of proliferative and regressive processes in mammary gland tissue with an abnormal ratio of epithelial and connective tissue components.

Currently, there are a large number of names for mastopathy: cystic mastopathy, cystic fibroadenomatosis, Reclus disease, Schimmelbusch disease, dyshormonal hyperplasia, fibrocystic mastopathy, hysterical tumor, fibrocystic disease, etc.

For clinical practice, a classification is used in which mastopathy is divided into diffuse and nodular.

Forms of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy: adenosis with a predominance of the glandular component; fibrous mastopathy with a predominance of the fibrous component; cystic mastopathy with a predominance of the cystic component; mixed form of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy; sclerosing adenosis.

Forms of nodular (localized) fibrocystic mastopathy: nodular mastopathy; breast cyst; intraductal papilloma; fibroadenoma.

Clinical manifestations

Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy most often occurs in women 25-40 years old, affects both mammary glands, and is often localized in the outer upper quadrants.

Pain in the mammary glands, as a rule, appears a few days before menstruation and gradually increases during the second phase of the cycle. In some cases, the pain radiates to the shoulder, armpit, or scapula. With a long course of the disease, the intensity of pain may weaken.

In some forms of diffuse mastopathy, discharge appears from the nipples (colostrum, transparent or greenish in color).

In mastopathy with a predominance of the glandular component, dense formations are detected by touch in the mammary gland tissue, passing into the surrounding tissue. Radiographs reveal multiple shadows of irregular shape with unclear contours.

In mastopathy with a predominance of the cystic component, the presence of multiple cystic formations, well limited from the surrounding gland tissue, is noted. A characteristic clinical sign is pain that worsens before menstruation.

The mixed form of mastopathy is characterized by an increase in glandular lobules and sclerosis of intralobular connective tissue. To the touch, either diffuse fine granularity or disc-shaped doughiness is determined.

Nodular fibrocystic mastopathy is characterized by slightly different clinical manifestations. Thus, the nodular form occurs in patients 30-50 years old; it is a flat area of ​​compaction with a granular surface. The lump does not disappear between periods and may increase before menstruation.

These formations can be single or multiple and are detected in one or both glands and are determined against the background of diffuse mastopathy. A breast cyst is a mobile, often single formation of a round shape, elastic consistency with a smooth surface. The formation is not associated with fiber, skin and underlying fascia. Cysts can be single or multiple.

Intraductal papilloma is located directly under the nipple or areola. It can be determined in the form of a round, soft-elastic formation or an oblong cord. In the presence of intraductal papilloma, bloody discharge from the nipple is observed. Fibroadenoama is a benign tumor of the breast.

It is a painless round formation of elastic consistency with a smooth surface. It is relatively rare. Malignancy of fibroadenoma occurs in 1-1.5% of cases. Treatment is surgical in the amount of sectoral resection of the mammary gland with urgent histological examination.

In general, the most characteristic clinical manifestations of mastopathy are: tenderness of the mammary glands, a feeling of increase in their volume, engorgement (mastodynia) and swelling of the glands. Pain can radiate to the armpits, shoulder and shoulder blade.

Diagnosis of breast diseases

When diagnosing diseases of the mammary glands, hereditary predisposition to this pathology is assessed. The patient’s complaints about pain, engorgement, swelling of the mammary glands, the time of their appearance, and their connection with the menstrual cycle or its disorders are clarified.

The presence of discharge from the nipples is determined, the time and reason for their appearance, consistency, color, and quantity are specified.

An objective examination reveals the symmetry of the mammary glands, the presence of tumor-like formations, asymmetrical retraction of the nipples, the presence of cicatricial changes, skin retractions, papillomas, birthmarks on the skin of the mammary gland, and the degree of development of the mammary glands is assessed.

Their size, density, uniformity, quantity, mobility, connection with the underlying tissues and skin are assessed. Ultrasound and mammography are used as instrumental methods. In this case, it is more advisable to perform ultrasound on young women, once every 6 months.

Mammography is recommended for women under 40 years of age if focal pathology of the mammary glands is suspected according to ultrasound, and for women over 40 years of age for preventive purposes once a year.

Treatment of mammary gland pathologies

If a malignant pathology of the mammary glands is suspected, the patient should be referred for examination to an oncologist. If nodules are detected in the mammary glands, then examination by a mammologist is necessary to decide on puncture and surgical treatment. All diffuse forms of mastopathy are subject to conservative treatment.

Methods of treating dishormonal pathology of the mammary glands: surgical - for focal formations and cysts; use of restoratives and vitamin therapy; phytotherapy; hormonal treatment.

Patients are advised to limit foods such as coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa or completely abstain from consuming them, which can significantly reduce pain and a feeling of tension in the mammary glands.

It has been established that the pathology of the mammary glands is interconnected with diseases of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, chronic constipation, changes in intestinal microflora and insufficient amount of fiber in the daily diet.

Therefore, it is recommended to eat foods rich in fiber, with a sufficient amount of liquid (at least 1.5 - 2 liters per day). An important component of treatment is vitamin therapy using vitamins A, B, E, P and C.

As part of herbal medicine, specially selected collections of medicinal herbs are used, which normalize metabolism, promote the rapid elimination of toxins and stimulate the body's defense reactions. Preparations obtained from various plant species are now widely used.

First of all, these include: Klamin, Mastodinon, Klimadinon . Hormonal therapy is most effective and appropriate for fibrocystic disease in combination with uterine fibroids, endometriosis, endometrial hyperplastic processes and other neuro-endocrine disorders.

An analysis of the effect of hormonal drugs on the condition of the mammary glands showed that in more than 40% of women the condition of the mammary glands not only stabilizes, but also improves significantly, which is recorded during a control mammographic study.

In cases where, while taking medications in the first months of treatment, severe pain in the mammary glands appears, it is recommended to change the drug.

Among hormonal drugs for the treatment of mammary gland pathologies, the following are the most popular. Livial is a synthetic drug that has estrogenic, gestagenic and weak androgenic effects. It is advisable to prescribe the drug to postmenopausal patients in the presence of menopausal symptoms and pathology of the mammary glands.

Tamoxifen is used not only for the treatment of certain stages of breast cancer, but also for the treatment of benign breast formations. Parlodel (bromergocriptine) should be prescribed to patients with documented hyperprolactinemia. Among the gestagens that are most often used to treat mastopathy, Dufaston and Utrozhestan .

It is also recommended to use the drug Progestogel , which is a gel containing natural progesterone. The drug is a natural, effective and safe treatment for FCD, which is used in the form of cutaneous applications.

For patients with genital endometriosis and benign pathology of the mammary glands, it is advisable to prescribe Danazol , an isoxalone derivative of the synthetic steroid 17-α-ethinyl estradiol.

In some cases, it is possible to use drugs from the group of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (decapeptyl-depot, diferelin, buserilin).

Prevention of dishormonal diseases of the mammary glands: timely treatment of gynecological diseases; abortion prevention; rational contraception; adequate management of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period; rational breastfeeding.

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Source: https://www.art-med.ru/articles/list/art251