Cyclical mastalgia: prevalence and associated health and behavioral factors

Abstract

Perimenstrual breast pain (cyclical mastalgia) is a common problem that can be sufficiently severe to interfere with usual activities, and has been associated with elevated mammography usage in young women. This study was undertaken to replicate clinic-based research on cyclical mastalgia, and to examine the association between this disorder and health-related behaviors and perceived stress. Using random digit dialing throughout Virginia, 874 women aged 18-44 were interviewed. Sixty-eight per cent of women experienced cyclical breast symptoms; 22% experienced moderate to extreme discomfort (classified as cyclical mastalgia). Hormonal contraceptive usage was associated with significantly less mastalgia and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Smoking, caffeine consumption and perceived stress were associated with mastalgia (odds ratios = 1.52, 1.53 and 1.7, respectively). Young women (under 35 years) with mastalgia were more likely to have had a mammogram (20.2%) than those without mastalgia (9.9%). Most women with this disorder (77.5%) did not have PMS. The prevalence of cyclical mastalgia and its association with mammography replicate clinic-based findings. Associations with smoking and stress had not previously been reported. Prospective research is needed to determine the biopsychosocial factors contributing to this disorder.

Efficacy of SEVISTA (Ormeloxifene) in treatment of mastalgia and fibrocystic breast disease

“…Although 45% of them report minimal to mild symptoms, about 25% report moderate-to-severe mastalgia lasting for more than 5 days. 2,8 This was suggested by review of the literature that the need to find a drug for mastalgia which is effective and safe. 9 Several agents have been tried for mastalgia and fibrocysic.…”

“…They may occur separately or in combination. 2 Mastalgia occur due to hormonal imbalance -oestrogen excess, progesterone deficiency, changes in progestin/oestrogen ratio, differences in receptor sensitivity, disparate secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), low androgen levels, and high prolactin levels have all been implicated as the cause for mastalgia. Fibrocystic Breast Disease (FCBD) is the most common non-cancerous breast disease in women.…”

External application of gestagens for the treatment of mastalgia due to treatment with combined oral contraceptives in women with a fibrocystic breast changes

“…Полу-ченные результаты согласуются с данными ранее проведенных исследований [11]. В общей популя-ции частота масталгии у женщин достигает 50-70%, поэтому можно сделать вывод, что прогестаге-ны последнего поколения практически не увеличи-вают частоту мастодинии у женщин, принимающих КОК [2,3].…”

“…В большин-стве случаев это предменструальные боли в молоч-ных железах продолжительностью 1-4 дня [1]. По результатам популяционных исследований и по дан-ным специализированных маммологических кли-ник, боли в молочных железах встречаются у 70% женщин моложе 55 лет, причем чаще всего в возрасте 30-50 лет [2,3]. В 45% случаев женщины отмечают слабые боли, полагая их наличие вариантом нормы, а 25% больных страдают от интенсивных болей про-должительностью более 5 дней.…”

“…(2004), которые продемонстрировали повыше-ние плотности молочных желез по данным маммо-графии у 54% пациенток, получающих непрерывную заместительную гормональную терапию, у 13% -на фоне циклической заместительной гормональной терапии КОК и у 18% -на фоне терапии чистыми эстрогенами [12]. В то же время, по данным D. Ader и соавт., применение КОК уменьшает частоту и выра-женность циклической масталгии [13].…”