Mastopathy during breastfeeding: is recovery possible?

During breastfeeding, a woman's body is subject to various pathological changes. This is especially true for the mammary glands. If symptoms of mastopathy of the mammary gland are detected during breastfeeding, treatment should not be delayed. After all, this violation can complicate the breastfeeding process itself and worsen the health of the nursing mother.

Types and forms of the disease

Mastopathy is one of the most common diseases among women. Both young and old are susceptible to it, but most often it appears after the birth of a child. There are several forms of pathology:

• Diffuse. Signs of mastopathy during breastfeeding cover the entire gland, often occurring before the nodular form of the disease. It manifests itself as compactions, pain, swelling, and increased sensitivity. There may be discharge from the nipples, as well as enlarged lymph nodes. Diffuse mastopathy is fibrous, in which changes affect the connective tissue. A cystic form is also diagnosed, which is characterized by the appearance of bubbles with fluid. Fibrocystic mastopathy combines the symptoms of both forms.
• Nodal. With this form, nodular formations appear in the chest. They do not connect with other tissues and have regular boundaries. Nodular mastopathy is accompanied by yellow, white or transparent discharge from the nipples, pain when palpating, and an increase in breast size due to swelling.

Both forms require attention from the woman and timely treatment.

Nodular mastopathy is considered the most dangerous, prone to degeneration into cancerous tumors.

Reasons for the formation of the pathological process

A variety of factors can provoke mastopathy when feeding a child. Even if they happened in the distant past:

• hormonal imbalances;
• abortions, causing drastic changes and danger to women's health;
• gynecological diseases;
• inadequate sex life, lack of sex;
• malfunctions of the liver that interfere with the natural process of removing the remnants of processed hormones;
• unstable menstrual cycle;
• late first pregnancy and early weaning;
• constant stress, lack of sleep, nervous worries.

Cracks in the nipples can cause mastopathy

Other factors can also provoke pathology, for example, poor nutrition, poor environment.

When breastfeeding, if it occurs for the first time, mastopathy can be triggered by other factors:

• the appearance of cracks in the sensitive skin of the nipples;
• incorrect application technique;
• incomplete emptying of the breast;
• stagnant processes.

To avoid these disorders, doctors recommend always completely emptying the breasts and not allowing milk to accumulate in the lobules.

Methods for diagnosing mastopathy

Palpation of the mammary glands is one of the methods for diagnosing the disease

If during breastfeeding a woman discovers symptoms of mastopathy, she must make an appointment with a mammologist for diagnosis. If the doctor is not at the clinic, you need to visit a gynecologist to get a referral for an examination.

If the menstrual cycle has already resumed, you should choose the right time for examination - 3-7 days after menstruation. Diagnostics takes place in several stages:

• Breast palpation and examination. The doctor will make a preliminary diagnosis and examine the symptoms. The chest is examined first in a sitting position, then in a horizontal position. If seals are detected, the specialist prescribes instrumental diagnostics.
• Ultrasound of the mammary glands.
  The most accessible and widespread method of studying the condition of the breast. Gives an accurate result and a complete picture of small nodes and neoplasms. A painless and inexpensive diagnostic method that can be used for women of any age. Breast biopsy
• Needle biopsy. A more serious way to study a woman’s condition. During a biopsy, the doctor receives tissue elements that are sent to the laboratory for examination. The accuracy of the result exceeds 95%.
• Dopplerography. An additional diagnostic method, the purpose of which is to study the blood flow in the area of ​​the tumor. Using this technique, it is possible to determine the presence of cancer cells in controversial cases.
• Mammography. The method is accurate, but helps women only after 35 years. It is based on exposure to x-rays.

Additionally, diagnostic methods such as blood and urine tests may be required. With their help, you can identify inflammatory processes, the condition of the liver, and also assess the overall health of a woman.

Diagnosis is the most important stage in the treatment of mastopathy during breastfeeding. Without this step, it is impossible to find suitable methods and exclude the development of the disease.

What not to do with mastopathy

You should avoid products that contain methylxanthine.

When mastopathy is detected during breastfeeding, a woman faces the problem of adequate therapy that will not harm the baby. But you need to remember the rules that can harm the patient’s health:

• You should not self-massage your breasts. Such techniques have a negative impact on health, especially if a woman pumps. Fibrocystic nodules are painful when massaged and may develop more quickly.
• You should not eat foods with methylxanthine. It is found in chocolate, cola, cocoa, coffee and tea. This substance provokes the development of cysts.
• Sunbathing is prohibited. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation for mastopathy is considered harmful. You should also not sunbathe while breastfeeding, even if the disease has not been diagnosed.
• Physiotherapy is prohibited. Dry heat, compresses, and other methods of exposure can worsen the patient’s well-being.

Doctors do not recommend uncontrolled use of medications and other therapeutic procedures not recommended by a specialist.

Therapy methods

During lactation, it is necessary to feed the baby more often to avoid stagnation of milk.

The main rule is that breastfeeding with mastopathy must be continued. And this should be done for as long as possible if the woman’s milk production is fine. You also need to remember the following points when treating the disease:

• You need to feed your baby as often as possible to avoid stagnation of milk;
• Additionally, you need to drink a lot of water to increase milk production and develop the milk ducts;
• You need to be regularly diagnosed by a doctor to control the disease;
• you need to choose suitable underwear - natural, not tight;
• Milk should be expressed regularly to avoid the development of knots.

Taking various medications plays an important role in the treatment of the disease.

Drug therapy for mastopathy

The most valuable list of drugs is complex vitamins. A, C, B1 and B6 are beneficial for the immune system and help fight mastopathy, and also normalize liver function and hormonal balance.

You can take painkillers, but only in courses and as prescribed by a doctor. Uncontrolled use of painkillers can harm the health of the mother and child. Sometimes women are prescribed electrophoresis with potassium iodide, which compensates for the lack of natural iodine in the body and prevents the development of malignant tumors.

Additionally, mini-pills are prescribed - tablets with a small content of hormones, indicated even during breastfeeding. They are safe for the child, but can only be used as prescribed by a doctor strictly according to the scheme.

It is prohibited to feed a child with mastopathy if purulent discharge from the nipple appears or an infection is diagnosed. In this case, the woman is prescribed medications that reduce milk production. You can resume feeding after the cause of mastopathy is eliminated.

Prevention of mastopathy

Doctors recommend not to give up breastfeeding, but to continue it for at least 9-12 months, if you have milk. To prevent mastopathy both during breastfeeding and outside this period, it is recommended:

• have regular sex life with one partner;
• give birth before age 30;
• feed the baby for at least 6 months;
• attach the baby correctly;
• treat endocrine and reproductive diseases;
• fight obesity and eat right;
• wear a comfortable bra;
• fight nervous tension, ensure proper sleep and a normal daily routine;
• It is very important to undergo regular examinations with a gynecologist.

Advanced mastopathy can be complicated by a variety of pathological processes. Fibrocystic pathology is prone to degeneration into cancer. If you suspect any violations, you need to undergo an examination and detailed instrumental diagnostics.

Source: https://NogoStop.ru/grud/mozhno-li-kormit-grudyu-pri-fibrozno-kistoznoj-mastopatii.html

Mastopathy in a nursing mother: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Mastopathy is a disease of the mammary glands, which is characterized by numerous or single neoplasms (exclusively benign) in the form of peculiar compactions and nodules, as well as an increase in the volume of the mammary gland itself.

Mastopathy is divided into the following types:

• diffuse (affects the entire mammary gland);
• nodular (single neoplasm).

The most common form of this disease is fibrocystic mastopathy, i.e. the presence of fibrous compactions and numerous cysts.

Today, mastopathy is one of the most common diseases of the mammary glands. Moreover, no one is safe from its appearance. The disease can affect both a young girl and an older woman, since the breast is an organ whose condition depends entirely on hormonal levels.

However, don't despair. After all, this is not a death sentence and this disease can be treated. The main thing is not to neglect it and contact a qualified specialist in a timely manner.

Causes of the disease

In fact, there are many reasons for the formation of mastopathy on the chest. As a rule, the main factor that can provoke focal mastopathy is abortion.

After all, if you look at it, pregnancy itself is a consequence of hormonal changes in a woman’s body. And surgical intervention in the initial stages, i.e.

termination of pregnancy can be very dangerous both for certain organs and the health of the body as a whole.

And irregular sex life or its complete absence can be the cause of the appearance of neoplasms.

 In addition, menstrual irregularities, as well as the first birth in adulthood and a short period of breastfeeding increase the risk of women falling into this category.

Since the breast is more of an organ of the endocrine system, even the most harmless disturbances in its functioning can lead to the formation of mastopathy. The most important step in the fight against this disease is a timely visit to a qualified specialist - a mammologist.

Everything in our body is interconnected. Thus, the liver to some extent controls the breakdown, as well as the removal of spent hormones from the body. Failure of this function will contribute to the formation of excess estrogen, which in the future can lead to a disappointing diagnosis - mastopathy.

The state of a woman’s nervous system is of no small importance. Constant nervous shock, repeated stressful situations, disruptions to the daily routine can become a trigger for the occurrence of mastopathy.

Experts categorically insist on undergoing the treatment process. Moreover, some even recommend having children and breastfeeding them for as long as possible.

After all, there is a certain category of women who, even despite all the forecasts and diagnoses, still get pregnant and even give birth to children relatively easily. Today, many young girls would love to become pregnant.

But mental stress and poor health, unfortunately, leave no chance.

Main symptoms of mastopathy

This disease is getting younger every year. This suggests that even young creatures can show signs of illness.

Let's look at the symptoms of mastopathy in more detail:

• the appearance of lumps or nodes in the chest;
• enlargement of the mammary glands;
• whitish, colorless, brown or even bloody discharge from the nipples;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• painful sensations.

If you experience a nagging pain in the chest, which is felt directly in the mammary gland, and when you feel the breast with your fingers, small lumps are felt, then most likely, during the examination, you will be diagnosed with a disease such as mastopathy.

Treatment of mastopathy

The risk group mainly includes girls who did not become mothers until the age of thirty, or who did not breastfeed their children after giving birth. Pregnancy itself is a change in hormonal levels in the body of every woman. When pregnancy occurs, hormonal changes occur, which can become a kind of panacea in the treatment of this disease.

Many doctors strongly recommend that women who had mastopathy before conceiving a child should breastfeed their baby for as long as possible after giving birth. When breastfeeding for at least six months, such formations simply disappear in a nursing mother.

The lactation period in the life of nursing mothers can bring not only unforgettable moments of pleasure, since the contact between mother and child during feeding is incomparable, but also minimizes the likelihood of re-formation of mastopathy in the future.

It is worth noting that even a slight disruption in breastfeeding, as well as psycho-emotional stress, can become the main causes of the inflammatory process. And the body, weakened after childbirth, which, moreover, experiences a deficiency of immunity, is not able to resist the command of such a disease.

The likelihood that a mother may develop mastopathy during lactation is quite high. Failure to comply with basic rules of personal hygiene against the background of the presence of cracks in the nipples and other damage to the mammary gland can lead to infection. This, in turn, will provoke stagnation of milk in nursing mothers, since the passage of milk is impeded by pathogenic activity.

As a result, the mammary glands swell very much, become simply stone-like to the touch and hurt. This disease is called mastitis and requires immediate examination by doctors.

Otherwise, a nursing mother cannot avoid surgical intervention, since the milk ducts accumulate purulent formations as a result of stagnation of milk.

Moreover, this whole process is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, especially in the chest area.

In order to protect yourself as much as possible from the occurrence of such a disease during lactation, a nursing mother needs to regularly express the remaining milk from each breast after directly feeding the baby. Even if you begin to feel the formation of mastitis, try to put your baby to your breast as often as possible.

To prevent the formation of mastitis, mothers are required to protect their breasts during lactation from hypothermia, injury to the nipples, as well as the skin of the entire breast. It is recommended to wear a bra made of fabrics that do not irritate the nipples. In addition, it should be free and not squeeze the mother’s chest.

Self-diagnosis

To avoid the appearance of such a disease as mastopathy, every woman is required to conduct an independent examination of the mammary glands. As a rule, this procedure is recommended to be carried out on the fifth or sixth day after the onset of the menstrual cycle.

Each breast should be examined very carefully, without rushing. First, the mammary glands are examined visually, and then palpation is performed. If you find any suspicious signs, contact your mammologist immediately.

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Source: https://vskormi.ru/breast-problems/mastopatiya-pri-grudnom-vskarmlivanii/

Mastopathy during breastfeeding

Mastopathy is a disease in which benign tumors form in the breast.
The cause of their appearance is an imbalance of hormones. Mastopathy during breastfeeding causes pain and inconvenience. How to determine the disease, whether it is possible to continue feeding, what kind of prevention to carry out, and how to treat it.

Mastopathy is one of the most common diseases of the mammary glands in women. Both older ladies and young girls are susceptible to it. But it appears especially often after the birth of a child.

There are 2 types of mastopathy:

Diffuse

Covers the entire mammary gland. It may precede the second type of disease - nodular mastopathy.

This form can be identified by the following manifestations:

• pain;
• the appearance of compactions;
• swelling;
• excessive breast sensitivity;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• presence of discharge from the nipples.

• The diffuse form, in turn, has 3 varieties: fibrous, fibrocystic, cystic.
• With fibrous mastopathy, changes occur in the connective tissue of the mammary gland.
• Fibrocystic is a mixed type of disease when cysts appear in the breast and at the same time there is growth of connective tissue.

With the cystic form, cystic formations appear in the breast. These are small seals that contain liquid.

Nodal

It is expressed in disruption of the connection of tissues in the chest, the appearance of nodular neoplasms. They are not connected in any way to other tissues and have smooth and regular boundaries.

This form is considered the most dangerous and therefore requires mandatory treatment.

Symptoms:

• the presence of seals with clear contours;
• pain when palpating these seals (it can be dull or aching);
• increase in breast size (due to swelling);
• the presence of clear, white or yellow discharge.

Why does mastopathy appear?

There are many reasons for this disease. The main ones:

• Abortion. After conception, the body begins the process of restructuring hormones. After surgical termination of pregnancy, the body is again dramatically rebuilt. This is dangerous both for certain organs and for the health of the entire body.

• Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system. The disease can result from the slightest disruption in its functioning, since the breast is directly related to this system.

• A number of gynecological diseases and dysfunctional sex life. How healthy the mammary glands will be depends on the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Illness, absence or irregularity of sexual relations can lead to the appearance of lumps in the breasts.

• Unstable menstrual cycle, first pregnancy at an advanced age, weaning the child too early. These reasons also increase the risk of developing mastopathy.

• Lactation period. The disease can be triggered by even small changes in the baby's latching pattern, psycho-emotional stress, weakness of the body after pregnancy and childbirth, failure to follow simple hygiene rules (if there are damaged nipples), and stagnation of milk.

• Failure of the liver. This organ is responsible for breaking down and removing hormones from the body. If the liver does not perform this function, there is too much estrogen hormone in the body, which can cause disease.

• Stress, nervous shock, lack of sleep, and unstable routine also do not contribute to the health of the mammary glands.

In addition, the disease can be caused by: poor ecology, heredity, uncomfortable bra, and breast injuries.

Treatment of the disease during lactation

Doctors recommend that mastopathy be treated.

For many who have the disease before pregnancy, conceiving and further feeding a child becomes a method of treatment.

So it is possible and necessary to breastfeed a baby with mastopathy. The longer the better. When breastfeeding for at least 6 months, breast tumors disappear.

1. Breastfeeding over a long period of time also reduces the risk of recurrence of the disease.
2. Useful tips for mothers: NURSING HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL MOTHER
3. It is important not to self-medicate, but to seek advice from a mammologist.

As a rule, doctors prescribe vitamins that improve liver function. These are vitamins A, B1, B6, C. Safe pills are also selected for nursing mothers.

And in case of severe pain, a specialist can prescribe an anesthetic.

Prevention

• Experts recommend expressing milk after each feeding if there is too much milk, and even with regular feeding, lumps form in the breast.
• Another way to prevent mastitis, and then mastopathy, is to put the baby to the breast more often.
• Before feeding, it is useful to perform a light breast massage.

It is also very important to take good care of your breasts. Do not overcool, do not injure the nipples and entire breasts.

The correct selection of underwear is important. The bra should be soft to avoid nipple irritation. It should not squeeze your chest.

1. On the recommendation of a doctor, you can take herbal medicines.
2. The mother must ensure proper and balanced nutrition, avoid stress, monitor her weight, and protect her skin from direct sunlight.
3. To identify the disease at an early stage, you should regularly conduct self-diagnosis.

How to do a self-examination

The best time for diagnosis is 5-6 days from the start of menstruation. The examination is carried out carefully and without haste.

You should start with a visual inspection in front of the mirror. You need to raise your hands up and carefully examine the contour of the nipples and the entire breast. They should be of regular shape without depressions.

Then you should alternately slightly pull each nipple to check for the presence or absence of discharge.

Then you should lie on your back and feel each breast. It is mentally divided into 4 parts (lower, upper, side). Each of them must be carefully and carefully palpated to make sure there are no tumors.

If you have any suspicions, you should visit a mammologist as soon as possible.

Mastopathy is an unpleasant disease that often occurs after childbirth. It is worth paying attention to preventive measures to eliminate most of the risks.

Such an illness is not a reason to stop breastfeeding. Prolonged lactation, on the contrary, promotes healing.

All information posted on the site is for informational purposes only and cannot be used for self-medication. Having acquired specific applied knowledge, do not experiment with the child’s health. If symptoms of the disease appear, immediate assistance from a specialist is necessary. Never make decisions without discussing the issue with your doctor - consultation with a pediatrician is required!

Source: https://PitanieDeti.ru/vskarmlivanie/kormjashhaja-zdorovaja-i-krasivaja-mama/mastopatija-pri-grudnom-vskarmlivanii.html

Is it possible to cure mastopathy by breastfeeding?

Mastopathy refers to various benign tumors in the breast that arise due to hormonal imbalance. They cause pain and a lot of inconvenience; treatment is long and does not always lead to complete resorption of lumps and cysts.

Patients are especially concerned about the possibility of tumor degeneration, as well as how they will behave during pregnancy and whether they will allow them to give birth and breastfeed normally.

To understand whether pregnancy should be feared, you need to study the nature of the occurrence of tumors and how the body changes after conceiving a child.

In the article we will talk about mastopathy during lactation, its features and the role of feeding in the treatment and prevention of the disease.

• The main cause of mastopathy is the unplanned release of estrogens with a significant lack of other hormones, primarily progesterone.
• The resulting imbalance causes changes in the glandular and connective tissues of the mammary gland, seals and cavities filled with fluid are formed.
• As a result, mastopathy is diagnosed: nodular or diffuse, fibrous, cystic or mixed.
• The basis of treatment of the disease is normalization of the amount of estrogen through hormonal or herbal therapy.
• During pregnancy, the hormonal levels in a woman's body change significantly.
• The amount of estrogen continues to increase; they are actively produced by both the adrenal glands and the growing placenta.
• Hormones are necessary to regulate the growth of the uterus, they normalize blood pressure, stimulate the natural outflow of fluid, strengthen blood vessels and prepare the body for childbirth.
• Sometimes, at the beginning of pregnancy, the release of estrogen provokes the development of mastopathy, lumps in the breast become more noticeable and painful.
• However, the situation soon normalizes, since after conception the body begins to increase the production of progesterone.
• It affects the growth and development of the mammary glands, helps the development of the fertilized egg and prevents its rejection.
• During the normal course of pregnancy, the amount of progesterone is sufficient, but if there is a lack of it, hormonal therapy is required, which is carried out in a hospital setting.
• Sharp surges of this hormone cause attacks of irritability, headaches, and provoke the formation of edema due to fluid retention in the body.
• At the end of the first trimester, the placenta begins to produce additional hormones: human chorionic somatomammotropin, human chorionic gonadotropin.

They accelerate and regulate metabolism and are responsible for the growth and development of the mammary glands. At the same time, increased production of adrenal hormones begins.

1. They are aimed at preserving the fetus, therefore they suppress the mother’s body’s immunity, causing thinning of the skin, the appearance of stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, and hair loss.
2. Increased activity of the adrenal glands during pregnancy also requires correction with the help of hormonal drugs.
3. During a normal pregnancy, hormone levels gradually return to normal.
4. Mastopathy that occurs against the background of a sharp estrogen-progesterone imbalance can completely disappear, more often its symptoms practically go away.

But lack of breastfeeding after childbirth can bring the disease back . A sharp hormonal release is aimed at the development of the mammary glands and milk production.

In the absence of natural outflow, not only benign neoplasms are possible, but also inflammation of the milk ducts, complicated by pain, fever, and purulent discharge.

Often the place of chronic mastopathy is taken by acute mastitis, which requires immediate medical intervention.

With the normal development of pregnancy and childbirth, it is recommended to put the baby to the breast immediately after birth. At this time, a special valuable colostrum is formed in the mammary gland, rich in nutrients and protective antibodies necessary for the formation of the baby’s immunity.

During breastfeeding, the level of estrogen drops to normal, but the amount of progesterone, which is responsible for the functioning of the mammary gland, increases.

The body produces natural prolactin, which has a beneficial effect on the condition of the entire reproductive system of a woman.

Feeding prevents the formation of not only benign, but also malignant tumors. It is believed that the lack of breastfeeding can become a factor for the development of cancer cells in the mammary gland.

The optimal feeding regimen is from 6 to 12 months . The minimum necessary for the health of mother and baby is 3 months after birth.

Breastfeeding for too long can provoke new development of tumors, and the formation of cancer cells is also possible.

You should not resort to artificial stimulation of milk production. Herbal infusions, heavy drinking, and full-fat milk and cream can negatively affect the baby's digestive system and cause swelling in the mother.

You should not overload a woman’s body, which is already under stress after carrying a baby and giving birth.

After childbirth, it is necessary to establish breastfeeding as soon as possible.

The first application is recommended immediately after birth. At this time, little colostrum is produced, but even these drops are very valuable. It has been noticed that early application stimulates the activity of the milk ducts, avoiding swelling, fever and other unpleasant symptoms.

Important for normal feeding:

1. Organize a feeding schedule. Breastfeeding at certain times will help stimulate normal milk production and avoid stagnation.
2. Express the remaining milk after each feeding.
3. Be sure to wash your breasts with warm water and then dry them with a soft towel. This will help avoid painful cracked nipples.
4. Maintain a reasonable drinking regime. You should not drink too much; with mastopathy, fluid retention in the tissues is possible.

In the intervals between feedings, you can use any external means to reduce swelling and pain symptoms. When milk comes in, even completely healthy breasts can swell and hurt.

• Compresses made from fresh leaves of white cabbage, burdock, plantain or coltsfoot will help remove unpleasant symptoms.
• Applications made from honey and rye flour work well.
• You should not use alcohol tinctures, as well as preparations based on alkaloids: aconite, belladonna, hemlock, celandine.
• If mastopathy occurs while feeding a child, does this threaten the baby’s health?
• There are practically no contraindications to breastfeeding for mastopathy.
• The only problem may be discharge from the nipples mixed with pus or blood.
• They do not harm the woman’s health, but can negatively affect the baby.
• In this case, it is recommended to express and pour out the first portions of milk, as well as consult with your doctor, who will help you choose a medication that is safe for the baby.
• You also need to remember that mastopathy can be treated after feeding.
• Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding are very useful for diagnosed mastopathy.

Mastopathy and breastfeeding are interconnected. Breastfeeding your baby for 6-12 months will not only help remove existing fibroids and cysts, but will also prevent their appearance.

How to feed with mastopathy, for how long? In this situation - at least six months, and ideally a whole year.

Proper breastfeeding will help to avoid more severe diseases associated with malignant tumors in the mammary gland, ovaries, and uterus.

You can find more information on this topic in the Mastopathy section.

Source: https://nesekret.net/mastopatiya/vskarmlivanie

Mastopathy during breastfeeding: benefits and harms

Most women suffering from this pathology wonder whether breastfeeding can completely cure the disease. If mastopathy occurs in the first trimester, then most likely it began due to a hormonal imbalance and in most cases it goes away on its own without outside intervention. If you refuse lactation, there is a risk of developing the disease.

Mastopathy may increase in size if you stop breastfeeding earlier than three months after childbirth. If pathology occurs before birth, prolonged breastfeeding is possible.

Provoking factors

1. Overweight.
2. Low stress resistance.
3. Bad habits.
4. Wrong lifestyle.
5. Various diseases of the female reproductive system.
6. History of multiple abortions.
7. Injury to the mammary glands.
8. Iodine deficiency.
9. Inconsistent sex life.
10. Hereditary factor.
11. Endocrinological diseases.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of mastopathy depend on the type and shape, psychological characteristics of the pathology, as well as concomitant diseases.

Mostly the disease causes dull aching pain in the chest before menstrual flow. Enlargement and engorgement of the mammary glands is associated with swelling of the breast tissue.

In rare cases, white or greenish discharge from the nipples begins; bloody discharge serves as an alarming symptom.

Lactation and fibrocystic mastopathy

Do not forget that the mammary gland is an organ that is completely dependent on the production of hormones. Therefore, milk production is the work of special hormonal changes that occur in the female body.

Therefore, at the first symptoms of breast pathology with a hint of hormonal imbalance, various difficulties may occur during breastfeeding.

Most nursing patients note that during the lactation period the pain syndrome gradually subsides, and the neoplasms begin to resolve on their own, and in some situations disappear without a trace. Healing occurs due to the influence of a certain hormone on the woman’s body, which suppresses the production of estrogen, but at the same time can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.

Do not forget that mastopathy is the most common breast disease. It is associated with an imbalance in the division of certain breast tissues. With increased growth of one of the tissues, the formation of cysts, nodules or other compactions occurs.

Mastopathy is characterized by pain in the mammary gland; palpation reveals various lumps in the breast. The main cause of fibrocystic mastopathy is considered to be previous fibroids, various endocrine diseases, and many previous abortions.

If before pregnancy a woman suffered from severe mastopathy or a benign tumor, or underwent surgical treatment, then in this case it will be quite difficult to establish breastfeeding.

The risk group for this disease includes women who have not carried a child to term by the age of thirty or girls who have painful menstrual flow.

Pregnancy and hormonal changes

When pregnancy occurs, a woman’s hormonal background changes dramatically, and since mastopathy is directly related to the functioning of the hormonal glands, it can completely disappear when carrying a baby.

If the disease was discovered before pregnancy, then this is most likely due to a history of hormonal surges. In this case, the specialist advises breastfeeding the baby for at least six months, and, if possible, for as long as possible.

In rare cases, after establishing a full lactation period, all signs of mastopathy go away on their own. This is due to the fact that the woman suffering from this pathology has improved hormonal levels.

Breastfeeding with pathological breast diseases

If a woman has undergone surgery in history, then breastfeeding directly depends on where the tumors were located and on how the surgery itself went. If the milk ducts have not been affected, then lactation will be quite successful.

If nodular mastopathy was detected during pregnancy, then the patient must be observed by a specialist throughout the pregnancy and be especially careful to ensure that existing benign neoplasms do not develop into a malignant tumor. But even in this case, breastfeeding is not a contraindication, but the chances of recovery increase.

Rules for establishing lactation for mastopathy

• It is necessary to put the newborn to the breast as often as possible.
• Increase your drinking regime.
• After feeding, it is good to express and make sure that the milk does not stagnate.
• If new lumps are detected, it is necessary to take a warm shower and drain the breast, it is good if the baby takes an active part in this.

Experts are confident that as soon as a woman with fibrocystic mastopathy is able to establish full lactation, this is the best prevention against progression of the disease.

Development of mastopathy during lactation

To date, there have been cases where mastopathy began to progress during breastfeeding.

At the same time, the symptoms of the development of the disease during the lactation period are not much different from those observed outside of breastfeeding.

But the most important thing is that the symptoms of mastopathy should not be confused with other diseases that are directly related to the lactation period (mastitis, lactostasis and others).

Treatment

The treatment of these pathological diseases is radically different from each other - lactostasis requires dry heat, and fibrocystic mastopathy requires regular monitoring and waiting - this is provided that there is no progression. There are hopes that after a year of the lactation period, not only the symptoms, but also the disease itself will go away. But, nevertheless, a woman needs to regularly visit a mammologist.

During lactation, mastopathy is mainly not treated with medications; in exceptional cases, after a thorough examination and based on the results obtained, a specialist may prescribe mini-pills. This is the only medical drug approved for use without stopping the lactation period, without harm to the baby.

If severe pain occurs, you must contact your doctor so that he can prescribe you painkillers. It is strictly forbidden to take painkillers on your own - they can seriously harm the baby.

After studying the medical history and conducting the necessary examination, the doctor will give full recommendations regarding treatment with homeopathy, vitamin therapy, herbal medicine and other methods of strengthening the immune system.

In the postpartum period and during lactation it is necessary to be observed by a specialist. These actions will help to detect the progression of the disease in time, slow it down in time and maintain the desired breastfeeding.

Source: http://oboleznjah.ru/mastopatiya-pri-grudnom-vskarmlivanii-pol-za-i-vred/

Mastopathy during breastfeeding: causes and treatment

Diseases of the mammary gland, the course of which is characterized by benign dysplasia or dyshormonal hyperplasia, in medical practice have received the common name - mastopathy.

This benign pathology of the mammary glands affects up to 60% of women of childbearing age.

Upon the onset of menopause, when the hormonal activity of the female body decreases significantly, the risk of this pathology decreases to 12%-17%.

This disease is at the intersection of two medical specialties - gynecology and oncology. The reason is that benign processes, called mastopathy, have a significant tendency to degenerate into breast cancer, the mortality rate from which has only been increasing recently.

There are very different classifications of mastopathy described in the medical literature. Since mastopathy is a fibrocystic disease of breast tissue, the distinctive feature of which is pathological changes in the ratio of epithelial and connective tissue in the structure of the mammary gland.

The influence of female hormones on lactation

Mastopathy during breastfeeding is constantly dependent on the female body’s production of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin, since it is they that have a significant impact on the amount and time of milk secretion.

The earlier the baby is put to the breast, the more actively he sucks, the faster the woman develops a prolactin reflex. The role of the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the production of prolactin, is also important here.

This is the most important lactation hormone. Oxytacin, in turn, acting on myoepithelial cells, regulates the functioning of the alveoli and small ducts of the mammary gland.

The development of hormonal reflexes lasts during the first two months of breastfeeding; by the end of this period, the daily portion of milk produced by a woman is 1.5 liters.

Violation of the action of these hormones leads to a decrease or excessive increase in lactation, which in turn causes the woman to develop mastopathy during feeding.

Clinic and treatment

The clinical course of lactation mastopathy depends on the type of disease. The most common symptoms include severe breast tenderness, changes in the appearance of a woman's breasts, abnormalities in the structure of the breast tissue, the presence of palpable cysts or bands, and the appearance of nipple discharge.

To confirm the diagnosis, mammography, ultrasound, and diagnostic biopsy are widely used. It is also necessary to conduct a study of the patient’s hormonal mirror to identify hormonal disorders and develop the correct treatment tactics.

Treatment focuses primarily on reducing prolactin levels. In this case, the method of choice remains the old and proven Mastodinon.

It is a natural prolactin inhibitor and perfectly regulates hormonal homeostasis. With its help, it is possible to relatively quickly reduce peripheral blood circulation, relieve swelling and, accordingly, reduce pain.

Under the influence of Mastodinon, pathologically altered tissues are even restored.

Recently, the use of cabergoline as a selective dopamine antagonist has become widespread. Its main advantage is the breadth of therapeutic action, single use during the day and the virtual absence of allergic reactions.

It is also necessary to note the importance of using such a group of drugs as antiestrogens. The widely known drug tamoxifen has long been the drug of choice in the treatment of mastopathy.

This is a next-generation drug and is characterized by low cancer-stimulating activity and a virtual absence of allergic reactions.

We recommend reading the article about the characteristics of pain syndrome with mastopathy. Does chest pain necessarily indicate a pathology of the mammary glands, why do breasts hurt with mastopathy, and how to cope with mastalgia, you can read in more detail in this article.

Inflammatory types of mastopathy during breastfeeding

Mastopathy during breastfeeding manifests itself in different ways. There are a number of breast diseases that occur during breastfeeding and have a certain connection with a woman’s physiology in the first 2-3 weeks after childbirth. These include:

• Any injuries and abrasions of the nipples and areola;
• Lactostasis;
• Postpartum mastitis;
• Breast abscess.

Injuries to the nipples do not create significant problems for young mothers when feeding, except for possible pain. Lactostasis or uncomplicated mastitis is another matter. The symptoms of these diseases are almost the same and often general practitioners do not differentiate in the tactics of treating these diseases.

The causes of mastopathy during breastfeeding are interrelated. The appearance of the first erosion or crack on the nipple causes swelling and severe pain during feeding. This becomes the reason for gentle feeding, in which the mammary gland does not completely empty, which leads to stagnation, lactostasis and inflammation.

In addition, the cause of mastopathy during breastfeeding can be a woman’s usual lack of preparation for this important process.

This may include errors during feeding and pumping (the need to pay equal attention to all 4 quadrants of the mammary gland), mechanical irritation of the breast due to tight underwear or incorrect position during sleep. Excessive obesity also does not contribute to normal lactation.

All these reasons lead to poor emptying of the mammary gland and congestion in the milk alveoli. In this case, the milk ducts are often blocked by the so-called.

creamy clot, the liquid part of the milk begins to sweat into the interstitial space, which in turn leads to swelling and pain.

That's it, the circle is closed! In such a condition, the slightest infection that has penetrated into the breast tissue through cracks or abrasions on the nipple is enough to cause an acute purulent process, often ending in surgical intervention.

Methods of treatment and prevention of mastopathy in a nursing woman

Mastopathy during breastfeeding is mainly a consequence of poor preparation of the expectant mother for this important process. Since the trigger mechanism for this disease is lactostasis, the main method of combating this pathology will be thorough and less traumatic emptying of the mammary gland.

In the first 2-3 days after birth, the feeding process must necessarily take place in the presence of a medical worker at the maternity hospital. He monitors the position of the woman and child during feeding, feeding and pumping techniques, and explains to the woman how to care for the mammary glands before and after feeding.

It is necessary to explain to the woman the need to fully express the breast every two hours. This is necessary in the case when, for some reason, the child cannot completely empty the breast during feeding. It is important to constantly monitor the condition of the nipples and areola of the mammary gland and not to miss the first signs of mastitis, and not to allow the process to reach an acute stage.

If body temperature rises, swelling and pain occur in the mammary gland, you should not self-medicate and waste precious time.

Breastfeeding a child, if it does not cause pain, is allowed and even necessary for most types of mastopathy.

The only exception is purulent mastitis, when pus from the mammary gland can enter the milk alveoli.

In this case, feeding is temporarily stopped and the mammary gland is thoroughly emptied to reduce swelling and create a rest regime for the diseased organ.

Source: http://GrudInfo.ru/mastopatia-pri-grudnom-vskarmlivanii/