Treatment of mastodynia / mastalgia

Pain or increased sensitivity in the breasts is a common complaint among women of different ages. Unpleasant sensations may appear before menstruation, in the middle of the cycle, during hormonal changes or occur without an obvious cause. Any pain in the mammary gland is a signal that requires diagnostics.

At the «Oxford Medical» medical center in Kyiv, patients can undergo a comprehensive examination that allows establishing an accurate diagnosis and determining the optimal treatment tactics. Consultation with a mammologist makes it possible to timely determine the cause of the pain and receive substantiated recommendations regarding further actions.

Mastalgia, or mastodynia — is pain in the mammary glands of varying intensity and character. It is not a separate disease, but a symptom that may occur against the background of physiological changes in the body or be a manifestation of a certain pathology. The pain may be unilateral or bilateral, constant or periodic, localized in one area or diffuse throughout the entire gland.

Most often mastodynia is associated with hormonal fluctuations. In many women it occurs in the second phase of the menstrual cycle — a few days before the onset of menstruation. During this period, under the influence of estrogens and progesterone, the tissues of the mammary gland retain fluid, become more sensitive and swollen, which causes discomfort or painful sensations.

At the same time, breast pain may also accompany other conditions — inflammatory processes, neoplasms, hormonal disorders or functional changes of the mammary gland tissue. That is why it is important not to limit oneself to self-observation, but to consult a doctor to determine the cause of the pain and conduct the necessary examination.

If painful sensations are combined with the appearance of induration, nipple discharge or a change in the shape of the mammary gland, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner to уточнения the cause and exclude pathological changes.

The causes of mastalgia may be both physiological and related to pathological changes in the mammary glands or other systems of the body.

The most common causes:

• hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle, ovulation or changes in the level of sex hormones;
• fibrocystic changes in the tissue of the mammary gland, in particular adenosis of the mammary gland;
• inflammatory processes;
• endocrine disorders;
• consequences of injuries or surgical interventions;
• stress and emotional overstrain.

During pregnancy and lactation, breast pain may also be associated with physiological changes, in particular increased blood supply, hormonal restructuring and increased sensitivity of tissues.

Diagnostics begins with a consultation with a mammologist. The doctor уточняет the character of the pain, its duration, its connection with the menstrual cycle, the presence of accompanying symptoms, after which conducts examination and palpation of the mammary glands.

According to indications, the following may be prescribed:

• Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
• mammography;
• laboratory tests to assess the hormonal background;
• additional examination methods (for example, MRI or consultations of related specialists) to уточнения the nature of changes.

If the pain is accompanied by induration, nipple discharge or an increase in body temperature, the examination is carried out urgently. A comprehensive approach allows establishing an accurate diagnosis and determining further treatment tactics.

Since mastalgia is a symptom, the primary task of the doctor is to establish the cause and only after that determine the optimal treatment regimen. That is why treatment of mastodynia always involves an individual approach.

If the pain has a cyclic nature and is associated with hormonal fluctuations, therapy may include:

• if necessary — hormonal correction of the condition;
• vitamin and mineral support;
• correction of lifestyle and sleep regimen;
• selection of proper supportive underwear;
• limitation of caffeine and salt intake;

In cases when the pain is caused by inflammatory processes or structural changes in the mammary gland tissue, treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause. Depending on the clinical situation, anti-inflammatory drugs, local therapy, antibacterial agents or hormonal therapy may be prescribed.

If during the examination cysts or other benign formations are detected, the doctor determines the advisability of dynamic observation, medication therapy or surgical intervention — in accordance with clinical indications. The decision is made after complete diagnostics and assessment of individual risk factors.

At the «Oxford Medical» medical center, patients can receive a full range of medical services — from consultation with a mammologist to modern instrumental diagnostics and surgical intervention.

To schedule a consultation with a mammologist in Kyiv, contact by phone or use the online appointment form on the website. Timely consultation allows establishing the cause of pain at an early stage and preventing possible complications.