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You wake up, and the discomfort in your chest makes you wish you were anybody else. It’s that time of the month __ your menstrual cycle – but this time the discomfort is more than just cramping. Your breasts feel so tender and sore you wish you could go right back to bed, and the right breast has a definite lump.
Not Necessarily Cancer
In this case, chances are you don’t have breast cancer. You may be suffering from a malady that as many as 80 percent of American women have at some time in their lives--fibrocystic breast disease (FBD). Some doctors question whether this monthly medical problem is even a disease, because it affects so many women.
FBD is not life threatening , it is simply uncomfortable. Scientists believe it is
caused by an imbalance of estrogen over progesterone which may occur during the menstrual cycle. Women who have never had children, who have a history of miscarriages, who don’t use birth control, or who started menstruating at early age are more likely to develop FBD.
How You Deal With It
You can do several things to reduce FBD discomfort. One potential cause for FDB is your diet. Although scientists haven’t proven it, caffeine may be a major contributor to this disease. Cut out all forms of caffeine, including coffee, tea, coke, and chocolate.
Also steer clear of fats and other hydrogenated fats, because a high fat diet may cause your ovaries to produce too much of the estrogen which stimulates breast cell growth every month. Finally, leave the pepperoni and anchovies pizza alone. Too much salt can make you feel bloated and contribute to your breast discomfort.
Pills But Not Rubs
If you still feel discomfort, try taking some ibuprofen or aspirin to relieve pain and inflammation. But avoid anti-inflammatory drugs you rub onto your skin. You can try using a heating pad or taking a hot shower for comfort, or put cold, damp wash cloths on your breasts to decrease swelling or pain
You’ll Get Better
The good news in FBD does not last forever_but you have to wait until menopause for permanent relief. Because FBD is directly linked to amounts of estrogen in your body, the decrease and eventual cessation of estrogen production leads to an end to FBD. If you take estrogen replacement therapy to ease yourself through menopause, it may take longer for the symptoms of FBD to go away.
The time you should be concerned with lumps in your breast is if they are painful, if they increase and then decrease in size, and if they occur in multiple groups. You should have your doctor look at these changes, because they might indicate the presence of cancer.
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