Mastopathy is one of the most common breast diseases in women of mature age. Unfortunately, many women prefer not to pay attention to minor symptoms. At the same time, the pathological process is aggravated, the risk of developing a malignant formation increases. At the same time, mastopathy and pregnancy can be diagnosed. At the same time, against the background of the changed condition of the woman, the disease can quickly progress.
What is mastopathy?
The disease is associated with pathological fibrocystic changes in the tissues of the mammary gland. Mastopathy and pregnancy are closely related. Under the name of this pathology, a whole group of pathological processes can be combined, the development of which provokes hormonal changes in the body of a woman during gestation. The disease does not always pose a threat to life, but you can not leave it unattended. The risk group for breast oncology primarily includes women who previously had to deal with mastopathy.
Fibrocystic disease of the female breast can be diagnosed in the fairer sex at any age. However, in women who decide to conceive a baby after 40 years, the risk of encountering pathology increases significantly. Treatment of mastopathy during pregnancy should be carried out by a qualified mammologist. It is impossible to ignore unpleasant symptoms.
Causes of the disease
The exact reasons for the development of a benign formation in the tissues of the mammary glands have not been studied to date. However, specialists were able to find out that hormonal status plays a significant role. It is no coincidence that breast mastopathy often develops during pregnancy. During this period, the woman’s body undergoes significant hormonal changes.
Other factors contributing to the development of mastopathy include: early menopause, menstrual irregularities in childbearing age, polycystic ovaries. Problems during pregnancy are often faced by women who previously misused hormonal contraceptives.
Of great importance is also the immune system of the fairer sex. Fibrous changes in the tissues of the mammary glands can be observed against the background of any chronic diseases in the body. Mastopathy and pregnancy are completely compatible. However, treatment cannot be delayed. Stress, worries, malnutrition - all this can trigger the growth of malignant cells in a benign formation.
Disease classification
Mastopathy during pregnancy can develop in several forms. The most common is mastalgia. The pathological process is accompanied by severe pain. Thanks to this, a benign formation can be detected at an early stage. Mandatory is the administration of analgesics. Medications are selected in accordance with the gestational age of the woman.
Often during the period of gestation, fibrous mastopathy occurs. A benign formation in this case grows in the connective tissue of the mammary gland. With a rapid increase in the number of pathological cells, the doctor may decide to have surgery.
In parallel with the proliferation of fibrous tissue, cystic mastopathy can be observed. There is no need to interrupt pregnancy. However, a woman should be closely monitored by a gynecologist. You will have to visit a doctor more often.
Symptoms of mastopathy
Fibrous mastopathy during pregnancy can be detected already at the stage of registering a woman. A small seal in a certain area of the mammary gland can alert the specialist. On palpation, discomfort may occur. Even before pregnancy, chest pain can occur in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation. At the same time, several small nodules can be detected at once during the examination. Additionally, a woman can be referred for oncologist examination.
Cystic mastopathy in the early stages of pregnancy may, in general, not make itself felt. Sealing is not felt, pain is absent. In rare cases, a dull pulling pain appears, which is attributed by a specialist to changes in the mammary glands in early pregnancy.
A nipple discharge may alert. They may be plentiful or not. A thorough examination should be carried out if brownish or green mucus with an unpleasant odor is released from the chest.
Diagnostics
Fibrocystic mastopathy and pregnancy are completely compatible. It is important to prevent malignant transformation of pathological cells. Even at an early stage of gestation, you must learn to properly conduct self-examination of the mammary gland. Proper palpation will help to determine not only the presence of seals, but also their location, shape and size.
If a disease is suspected, the woman is sent for a mammogram. This X-ray examination makes it possible to clarify the location of the pathological formation, to determine its variety. During pregnancy, this technique may not be used because of the risk of harming the fetus. In this case, the woman is sent for an ultrasound of the mammary glands.
If a nodular mass is detected, a breast biopsy can be prescribed. The technique makes it possible to exclude the risk of a cancerous tumor.
Medication for mastopathy
During the period of gestation, the full-fledged therapy of mastopathy is difficult. Both pregnancy and the presence of individual characteristics of a woman’s body - these factors lead to the fact that some medications can not be used to stop the growth of pathological tissue. Mammologist selects therapy strictly individually. An assessment of the potential risk to the fetus and the benefits to the mother is mandatory. A mammologist must discuss the methodology of therapy with a gynecologist, in whom a pregnant woman is registered.
The main areas of therapy include: reduction of pain, normalization of hormonal balance, treatment of inflammatory processes, reducing the likelihood of malignant transformation of fibrous tissue.
Surgery for mastopathy
Does mastopathy go away during pregnancy? As a rule, during the period of gestation, it is only possible to stop the growth of pathological cells. However, it is not possible to completely get rid of education because of the impossibility of using many drugs. If the growth of the tumor does not stop, the risk of its malignant transformation increases, the woman is shown surgery.
Any surgical procedures during pregnancy pose a serious threat to the full development and life of the baby. Anesthesia is especially carefully selected. With minor formations in the mammary glands, the operation is performed under local anesthesia. The incision is usually made along the edge of the areola. From the center it is possible to reach almost any part of the mammary gland. In addition, after such an intervention, a scar is almost not noticeable. Removal of the neoplasm can be carried out using an endoscope. The working surface is displayed on the monitor screen. At the same time, the risk of touching the milk ducts during surgical procedures is significantly reduced.
In the most difficult cases, under general anesthesia, a mastectomy is performed - complete removal of the mammary gland. Such an operation is performed if cancer cells begin to form in the fibrous tissue. Within a week after the intervention, the woman is in a hospital.
Alternative methods of treatment
Mastopathy during pregnancy is complicated by the fact that many drugs can not be used. At the same time, recipes for traditional medicine can show a good result. However, in this case, you can not self-medicate. Any chosen technique should be discussed with your doctor.
Flaxseed oil shows good results with mastopathy. It contains phytoestrogens in large quantities. These substances help normalize hormonal levels. As a result, the growth of pathological cells is significantly slowed down. Linseed oil can be used to treat an area with overgrown fibrous tissue. Such manipulations will not only help to combat mastopathy, but also reduce the risk of stretch marks on the chest during pregnancy. With significant pain inside, it is recommended to take flaxseed (a teaspoon twice a day). Such a technique is widely used with early menopause.
If a pathological formation is detected in the tissues of the mammary glands, you can use freshly squeezed elderberry juice. Such a recipe as part of complex therapy is also used for oncological diseases. Elderberry helps to remove salts of heavy metals, toxins, radionuclides from the body.
Mastopathy prophylaxis
Regular self-examination will help to avoid dangerous consequences. It is necessary to check with the gynecologist in advance how it is necessary to properly examine the mammary glands at home. It will also be useful to visit a gynecologist twice a year for a professional examination.
It is recommended to pay attention not only to the state of the chest itself, but also to the laundry. Stains on the bra can alert. This symptom indicates the presence of discharge from the mammary glands.
Summarize
If you are diagnosed with "mastopathy" during pregnancy, you should not panic. The specialist will prescribe adequate treatment to stop the growth of fibrous or cystic tissue. After childbirth, a woman will be able to completely cure the disease and fully breastfeed the baby.