Effects of Mastalgia in Young Women on Quality of Life, Depression, and Anxiety Levels

Abstract

The aims of this study are to evaluate whether or not there is a relationship between mastalgia with anxiety and depression in young women with mastalgia who do not have organic breast pathology and to examine the effect of pain on the quality of life. Forty female pre-menopausal patients between the ages of 20-40 years with mastalgia and 40 totally healthy volunteers with the same characteristics were investigated with the Short Form 36 (SF-36), Hamilton Depression Scale, and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale prospectively following breast examination and radiological examination. Statistical assessments were performed using the SPSS 11.5. Anxiety levels were observed to be higher in the patient group (p = 0.04). The depression level was higher in the patient group; however, this was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). The quality of life of the mastalgia group was determined to be lower than that of the control group, and the sub-parameters of physical function (p = 0.04), body pain (p = 0.02), general health (p = 0.03), and energy (p = 0.008) were found to be significantly low. There may be a relationship between mastalgia and depression in young women with mastalgia; however, a closer relationship between anxiety and mastalgia is observed. Mastalgia affects the quality of life of an individual negatively at a significant degree.

Comparative study of effectiveness of vitamin E and evening primrose oil for pain relief in moderate cyclical mastalgia.

“…1 It's usually classified in cyclical mastalgia (75%) and non-cyclical mastalgia 25%. 2 Cyclical mastalgia is defined as cyclical swelling, discomfort and pain in one or both breasts occurring mostly one week before menstruation and settling with its onset. Although no single underlying mechanism has been mentioned in literature; various hypothesis regarding its pathophysiology have been put forth; including increased serum prolactin levels, hypersensitivity to estrogen, decreased serum progesterone, deficiency of antioxidants or gamma linoleic acid levels in body.…”

Effect of Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin B6 on Pain Control of Cyclic Mastalgia Associated with Fibrocystic Breast Changes: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The cyclic breast pain (mastalgia) is the most common symptom of fibrocystic breast changes (1). Mastalgia causes concern and fear of breast cancer and has negative effects on quality of life (2). The concern causes excessive consumption of sedative medicines without a prescription, as well as inappropriate intervention, excessive mammograms, and undesirable, ineffective, and unnecessary selftreatment.…”

“…In addition, fibrocystic breast changes can conceal true breast cancer (3)(4)(5)(6). Cycli-cal mastalgia interferes with sexual (48%), physical (37%), social (12%), occupational and educational (8%) activities and behaviors (2,7,8). Joyce reports the prevalence of mastalgia in women as about 57% (9).…”

“…Joyce reports the prevalence of mastalgia in women as about 57% (9). In addition, various studies have shown the relationship between mastalgia and psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety (2,9).…”

Current Management and Treatment Options for Breast Pain

“…1 In a study of premenopausal women, patients with breast pain had significantly more anxiety and reported lower quality of life than healthy control patients. 2 Although fear of breast cancer prompts many women to report breast pain, only 2% to 7% of those patients will have breast cancer. 3 Despite this information, a role remains for diagnostic imaging in certain cases.…”