Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Coping
Fibrocystic breasts occur when hormonal changes make breast tissue take on a lumpy or rope-like texture. They can be painful but it’s completely harmless.
Once called fibrocystic breast disease, the term has largely fallen out of favor because “disease” wrongly implies something is wrong with the breasts. Fibrocystic breasts, or fibrocystic breast changes, is abenign conditionthat’s neither a symptom nor a risk factor forbreast cancer.
This article looks at the symptoms and causes of what was once called fibrocystic breast disease. It also discusses how fibrocystic breasts are evaluated and treated and how to cope with these changes.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Symptoms of Fibrocystic Breast Disease
The primary symptom of fibrocystic breast tissue is its lumpy, rope-like texture.
If you were to look at fibrocystic tissue under a microscope, you would likely see several components that contribute to this, including:
Typically, lumps aren’t attached to surrounding tissue but will move slightly when manipulated.
Many people with fibrocystic breasts have no symptoms beyond that. However, those who experience some often find them unpleasant. The most common symptoms of fibrocystic breasts include:
In some cases, fibrocystic breasts put out a greenish or dark brownnipple dischargethat’s free of blood and may leak without pressure or squeezing. There also can be pain in the armpit.
Frequently, fibrocystic breast symptoms worsen just before your menstrual period and lessen near the end of the cycle.The actual size of individual lumps may also fluctuate with the menstrual cycle.
Who Gets Fibrocystic Breast Disease?
Fibrocystic breasts occur in most women at some point during their lives. Research puts the number of affected women at anywhere from 50% to up to 90% of the population.Most women who experience fibrocystic breast disease notice symptoms before they reach menopause. This is likely due to the influence of hormones on the development of fibrocystic tissue.
Some studies have shown an association between some medical conditions and fibrocystic breast disease, including:
What Causes Fibrocystic Breast Changes?
What spurs breast tissue to develop the lumpy, tender, swollen areas that are characteristic of fibrocystic changes isn’t fully understood.
Experts agree, though, that reproductive hormones are closely involved. Estrogen is particularly likely to play a part.
If you were assigned female at birth and developed breasts during puberty as a result of female hormones, you have a 50% or more chance of experiencingfibrocysticbreast changes at some point.
Fibrocystic breasts are most common between the ages of 20 and 50 or so—in other words, while you still have periods.However, if you’re postmenopausal, you may have fibrocystic breast changes due tohormone therapy.
Nipple Color and Other Changes
Does Fibrocystic Breast Disease Increase Your Risk of Cancer?
Anytime you detect the presence of a lump or other irregularity in breast tissue, it can be hard not to immediately jump to suspecting cancer. However, the presence of fibrocystic breast tissue does not increase your risk of developing breast cancer later.
If you detect a lump, nipple discharge, or any other irregularity in your breast tissue, it is essential to see a healthcare professional to determine what might be causing it.
Diagnosing Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Whether you practice breast self-awareness, do breast self-exams, or both, you may find it difficult to distinguish fibrocystic changes from potential tumors.
While the majority of breast lumps aren’t cancerous, you should still get examined and imaging done to confirm this.In some cases, more invasive testing is needed.
Breast Self-Awareness
The American Cancer Society (ACS) states that you should be familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to your healthcare provider right away. (You’re most likely to notice changes during activities like bathing or dressing.)
Mammography and Ultrasound
It’s sometimes difficult for a regularmammogramto differentiate between fibrocystic tissue and a potentially cancerous lump, so anultrasoundis often the preferred diagnostic test.
Biopsy
When screening and/or testing reveal that a lump may be a fluid-filled cyst, sometimes a healthcare provider will choose to do afine-needle aspiration. With this, a thin, hollow needle is used to extract the fluid to be examined in a lab.
If tests are inconclusive—and your healthcare provider still can’t rule out cancer—then abiopsyof the actual tissue may be necessary.
Most people with fibrocystic breasts don’t have abnormal breast cells when a biopsy is performed.
Dense Breasts and Breast Cancer: An Overview
Fibroadenomas of the Breast
How Is Fibrocystic Breast Disease Treated?
If your breasts aren’t bothering you, there is no need to treat fibrocystic breasts. If you do experience pain, you have several treatment and management options to consider.
Medications
A variety of medications are used to ease symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease.
Anti-Inflammatories
Diclofenac, which has the same ingredient as an oral NSAID, is also available in topical form. Ask your healthcare provider what type and dose might work best for you. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe prescription versions of these or related medications.
Oral Contraceptives
Birth control pillsare sometimes prescribed for pain related to fibrocystic breast changes, as they may help regulate levels of hormones linked to them.
Decreasing the dose of estrogen in a birth control pill can also be effective.
Tamoxifen
Progesterone Cream
Applying 15 to 20 milligrams ofprogesteronecreamdaily, starting withovulationand going until a day or two before your period, sometimes helps breast tissue return to normal in three to four months.
Once you’ve achieved symptom relief, you can gradually taper your dose until you find the lowest amount that’s effective. Ask your healthcare provider about a prescription.
Try a Different Bra
If the band is too tight or the cup is too small, the fabric, underwire, or other structural elements of the bra may be putting unnecessary pressure on your breasts.
If you play a sport or spend a lot of time working out, purchase a good sports bra as well. Consider wearing one to bed during periods, when your breasts are likely to be extra sensitive.
Breast Pain During Your Period
Apply Heat
Heat may help alleviate pain from pressure and swelling.Use a regular heating pad ormake your ownusing a tube sock and rice.
A cold compress or gentle massage may help as well.
Change Your Diet
Although little research supports a link between diet and fibrocystic breasts, anecdotal reports hint that specific changes may help relieve symptoms in some people.Plus, a nutritionally smart approach to eating may improve your general health.
First, cut down on:
Then, include more:
Surgery
In extreme cases, cysts or lumps that cause pain can be removed. Options include:
Decrease Estrogen Intake
If you’re postmenopausal and taking estrogen, talk to your healthcare provider about reducing your dose or stopping hormone therapy altogether.
It also may help to decrease sources of estrogen from your diet, such as commercially-raised meats, which sometimes contain excessive amounts of hormones.
Supplements
Evening primrose oilcontains an omega-6 fatty acid calledgamma-linolenic acidthat may make breast tissues less sensitive to hormonal changes. You can find it in drugstores and health food stores, usually in capsule form. It has been studied in many trials, though it hasn’t been shown to be more effective than a placebo.
Research also suggestsfish oil, another source of essential fatty acids, may also help reduce pain associated with fibrocystic breast changes, although it didn’t do so more than a placebo in one study.Other vitamin suggestions includevitamin B6or a B-complex andmagnesium.
While it should be reassuring to know that not all changes to your breast are worrisome, if you notice thickened areas or changes in texture, it’s still a good idea to see your healthcare provider to confirm your suspicion that it’s just fibrocystic breast changes.
If you notice any of the following breast changes, see a healthcare provider to rule out breast cancer:
Coping With Fibrocystic Breasts
If your healthcare provider seems to dismiss your complaints, see someone else if possible. With all the options available, you shouldn’t have to endure chronic pain without treatment.
If you’re having trouble dealing with the condition and feel depressed, talk to your healthcare provider. You may benefit from therapy and/or antidepressant medications.
Lastly, dedicating time to some of the self-care measures above can go a long way in making you feel that you’re doing all you can to ease your discomfort.
Summary
Fibrocystic breasts have a lumpy, rope-like texture. They’re usually asymptomatic, but some people have swelling, tenderness, breast pain, or nipple discharge. Hormones are believed to play a causal role, but causes aren’t fully understood.
Fibrocystic breast disease is now called fibrocystic breast changes or fibrocystic breasts because the changes are harmless and not a “disease.”
Simple home remedies and possibly medication are usually enough to ease any related discomfort. However, it’s always best to have breast changes evaluated to ensure you are dealing with fibrocystic breasts.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.Chen YY, Fang WH, Wang CC, et al.Examining the associations among fibrocystic breast change, total lean mass, and percent body fat.Sci Rep. 2018;8:9180. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-27546-3American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.American Cancer Society.What is breast cancer?American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Frequently asked questions about the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer screening guideline.Horner NK, Lampe JW.Potential mechanisms of diet therapy for fibrocystic breast conditions show inadequate evidence of effectiveness. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000 Nov;100(11):1368-80. doi: 10.1016/S0002-8223(00)00383-7. PMID: 11103660.Blommers J, De lange-de klerk ES, Kuik DJ, Bezemer PD, Meijer S.Evening primrose oil and fish oil for severe chronic mastalgia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;187(5):1389-94. doi:10.1067/mob.2002.127377aAdditional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Breast ultrasound.Pruthi S, Wahner-Roedler DL, Torkelson CJ, et.al.Vitamin E and evening primrose oil for management of cyclical mastalgia: A randomized pilot study.Altern Med Rev. Apr 2010;15(1):59-67.Shobeiri F, Oshvandi K, Nazari M.Clinical effectiveness of vitamin E and vitamin B6 for improving pain severity in cyclic mastalgia.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. Nove-Dec 2015;20(6):723-727. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.170003
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.Chen YY, Fang WH, Wang CC, et al.Examining the associations among fibrocystic breast change, total lean mass, and percent body fat.Sci Rep. 2018;8:9180. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-27546-3American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.American Cancer Society.What is breast cancer?American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Frequently asked questions about the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer screening guideline.Horner NK, Lampe JW.Potential mechanisms of diet therapy for fibrocystic breast conditions show inadequate evidence of effectiveness. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000 Nov;100(11):1368-80. doi: 10.1016/S0002-8223(00)00383-7. PMID: 11103660.Blommers J, De lange-de klerk ES, Kuik DJ, Bezemer PD, Meijer S.Evening primrose oil and fish oil for severe chronic mastalgia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;187(5):1389-94. doi:10.1067/mob.2002.127377aAdditional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Breast ultrasound.Pruthi S, Wahner-Roedler DL, Torkelson CJ, et.al.Vitamin E and evening primrose oil for management of cyclical mastalgia: A randomized pilot study.Altern Med Rev. Apr 2010;15(1):59-67.Shobeiri F, Oshvandi K, Nazari M.Clinical effectiveness of vitamin E and vitamin B6 for improving pain severity in cyclic mastalgia.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. Nove-Dec 2015;20(6):723-727. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.170003
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.Chen YY, Fang WH, Wang CC, et al.Examining the associations among fibrocystic breast change, total lean mass, and percent body fat.Sci Rep. 2018;8:9180. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-27546-3American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.American Cancer Society.What is breast cancer?American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Frequently asked questions about the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer screening guideline.Horner NK, Lampe JW.Potential mechanisms of diet therapy for fibrocystic breast conditions show inadequate evidence of effectiveness. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000 Nov;100(11):1368-80. doi: 10.1016/S0002-8223(00)00383-7. PMID: 11103660.Blommers J, De lange-de klerk ES, Kuik DJ, Bezemer PD, Meijer S.Evening primrose oil and fish oil for severe chronic mastalgia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;187(5):1389-94. doi:10.1067/mob.2002.127377a
American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.
Chen YY, Fang WH, Wang CC, et al.Examining the associations among fibrocystic breast change, total lean mass, and percent body fat.Sci Rep. 2018;8:9180. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-27546-3
American Cancer Society.What is breast cancer?
American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Frequently asked questions about the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer screening guideline.
Horner NK, Lampe JW.Potential mechanisms of diet therapy for fibrocystic breast conditions show inadequate evidence of effectiveness. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000 Nov;100(11):1368-80. doi: 10.1016/S0002-8223(00)00383-7. PMID: 11103660.
Blommers J, De lange-de klerk ES, Kuik DJ, Bezemer PD, Meijer S.Evening primrose oil and fish oil for severe chronic mastalgia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;187(5):1389-94. doi:10.1067/mob.2002.127377a
American Cancer Society.Breast ultrasound.Pruthi S, Wahner-Roedler DL, Torkelson CJ, et.al.Vitamin E and evening primrose oil for management of cyclical mastalgia: A randomized pilot study.Altern Med Rev. Apr 2010;15(1):59-67.Shobeiri F, Oshvandi K, Nazari M.Clinical effectiveness of vitamin E and vitamin B6 for improving pain severity in cyclic mastalgia.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. Nove-Dec 2015;20(6):723-727. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.170003
American Cancer Society.Breast ultrasound.
Pruthi S, Wahner-Roedler DL, Torkelson CJ, et.al.Vitamin E and evening primrose oil for management of cyclical mastalgia: A randomized pilot study.Altern Med Rev. Apr 2010;15(1):59-67.
Shobeiri F, Oshvandi K, Nazari M.Clinical effectiveness of vitamin E and vitamin B6 for improving pain severity in cyclic mastalgia.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. Nove-Dec 2015;20(6):723-727. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.170003
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