Unlike periodic breast pain, non-cyclic mastodynia often reflects a difficult to interpret disorder, the causes of which can be varied, heterogeneous and not easily detectable.
Most of the time, breast pain is a cause of great concern for women: misinterpreting the disorder, many patients are convinced that they are the target of some form of cancer or a problematic disease. Although the medical check-up is still very important in these cases, it is good not to be unnecessarily alarmed before knowing the diagnostic result. Contrary to popular beliefs, in fact, breast neoplasms only rarely begin with clear and precise symptoms such as pain in the chest. otherwise.
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This article is intended to provide the reader with generic information and purely hypothetical interpretations of cycle-independent breast pain. The advice and remedies listed must in no way replace the opinion of a doctor or a specialist on the subject.
: although this disorder is statistically more frequent in over forties, many young girls also suffer from the same symptoms.Given that cycle-independent forms of breast pain always require a specialist assessment, the most frequent causes of non-cyclic mastodynia are listed below:
- Drug therapy with contraceptive pills, birth control patches, hormonal IUD: a typical side effect of hormonal contraceptive methods is breast pain. Sometimes, even hormone replacement therapy (indicated for example for the treatment of symptoms of menopause, for the treatment of hypogonadism and for hot flashes) can cause annoying and constant pain in the breast. There have also been some reports of breast pain. mastodynia during therapy with antidepressants, such as in particular serotonin reuptake inhibitors, fluoxetine and sertraline.
- Inadequate bras: Often times, the cause of breast pain is simply an undergarment that does not fit the shape and size of the breast. Women with large breasts should in fact avoid wearing push-up bras and prefer those that are soft and not too tight. During physical activity, it is recommended to use a sports bra, which can adequately support the breasts.
- Excessive weight gain: even weight gain can sometimes cause unpleasant tenderness in the breasts. To preserve as much health as possible, it is recommended to follow an adequate and balanced diet.
- Costochondritis: it is an "inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs with the breastbone. Many women affected by this disease complain (improperly) of unpleasant breast pain when, in reality, it is not true mastodynia: the pain is it concentrates in fact at the level of the chest in the precise point that connects the ribs to the sternum.To remedy unpleasant misunderstandings, it is good to report all symptoms to the doctor, trying to be as precise as possible to avoid undergoing useless and unnecessary diagnostic tests.
- Breast trauma: Car accidents, injuries and breast surgery can clearly favor the onset of mastodynia.
- Joint diseases: having a negative impact on the breast, osteoarticular disorders can also cause unpleasant breast soreness.
- Herpes zoster infections (St. Anthony's fire) in the breast: in this case, the breast pain takes on a completely different connotation and clinical significance from the previous ones. The "false" mastodynia - always accompanied by a "local bullous rash" particularly noticeable - it is easily reversible with adequate and specific treatment against the virus.
- Breast engorgement (typical disorder of the immediate post-partum): the pain in the breast, strong and stinging, is the result of the stagnation of milk in the breast which, in addition to being painful, appears edematous, shiny and tense. This condition, even if rather frequent after giving birth to a child, it should not be neglected to minimize the risk of complications, such as mastitis in particular (potentially fatal breast infection).
- Breast cancer: as stated several times, breast neoplasms only rarely begin with clear and easily identifiable symptoms such as breast pain. However, in case of suspected mastodynia - especially in association with signs such as milky or greenish secretions from the nipple, multiple lumps in the breast and nipple retraction - it is recommended to book a specialist check-up as soon as possible to ascertain any breast anomalies.
- Stress and tension: Even daily stress, depression and anxiety can somehow aggravate or even favor the onset of breast pain, regardless of the menstrual cycle.
- Anti-estrogen therapy: the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen, although indicated for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer in predisposed women, can sometimes accentuate or even cause breast pain.
When breast pain becomes particularly aggressive and difficult to bear, so much so that not even common analgesics are able to relieve the discomfort, the doctor can certainly direct the patient towards a more effective and targeted treatment based on the triggering cause.
Before embarking on any therapeutic process for cycle-independent breast pain, the woman undergoes specific diagnostic tests, such as in particular breast ultrasound and mammography.
After shedding light on the causes of origin, the patient can follow a specific pharmacological treatment.
When breast pain depends on hormonal therapy, the doctor will correct the treatment or replace the drugs with others more suitable for the patient. The same goes for antidepressant drugs: we briefly remember that some medications prescribed for the treatment of depression can cause a certain tenderness in the breast.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) designated danazol as a drug indicated for cycle-independent breast pain; however, its excessive side effects - such as acne, weight gain, hirsutism, voice change - drastically limit its use in therapy.
In the unlikely event that breast pain depends on a tumor, the woman will have to follow a different and much more aggressive treatment: according to the age of the patient, the type of cancer (benign / malignant) and the severity of the tumor, the woman will be treated with surgery (involving the surgical removal of the tumor mass), chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
it can only favor the general well-being of the person, minimizing the risk of developing unpleasant ailments such as breast pain.
Did you know that ...
It is scientifically proven that overweight women, who do not eat properly and follow an "unregulated diet and poor in fish products, are more prone to developing chronic inflammatory states, including breast pain. In these cases, the recommendation is to correct" feeding and integrating the diet with a supplementation of omega-3, polyunsaturated fatty acids very useful for normalizing the composition of cell membranes and protecting against generic chronic inflammatory states.
Particular attention must also be paid to the use of underwear: every woman should choose the bra according to her physique, regardless of what is advertised by the mass media. A bra that is too tight or unsuitable for the size of the breast can in fact be a reason for non-cyclic mastodynia.
In the presence of breast pain that tends to recur often, it is advisable to note the frequency, intensity and location of the pain in a notepad: the data reported may possibly be useful to the doctor at a later time to facilitate the diagnosis, for example whether the pain depends on the menstrual cycle or not.
Among the natural remedies against breast pain, hot packs cannot be missing: many women suffering from this type of disorder benefit from the action of heat applied directly to the chest.
According to an ancient folk remedy, a multi-daily supplementation of evening primrose oil capsules (to be taken at a dose of 1 gram, up to 3 times a day) can be a valid complement to breast pain therapy: this plant substance, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, it is particularly suitable for the treatment of numerous inflammatory conditions, including cycle-independent breast pain.
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