How do doctors diagnose fibrocystic breast disease?

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Last couple months I have been getting horrible breast pain on and off. I do have several lumps in both breast's and they seem to act up before my period.
My mom seems to think it could me fibroid's in my breasts. I am only sixteen and the thought of my doctor " feeling me up " is SCARY.

So, I was just wondering how doctors would diagnose me etc etc
hellp :(
Michaela - "Fibrocystic breast disease", an old term, is now called "fibrocystic changes in the breast." It is very common in women from the time of puberty on through the years. Fibroids form in the uterus, NOT in the breast where a single similar lump sometimes found in the teens is known as a fibroadenoma (a benign growth). Doctors do examine hundreds of breast each years, commonly while a female attendant (maybe even your mom) is present in the room. Maybe you would feel more at ease if you find a woman MD to examine you? First there is a family history taken since cystic changes often run in families. Then your personal breast history is talked about, like when during your monthly cycle do you get your most swelling. It's best to get examined when you can most easily feel the largest lumps. Sometimes the doctor could easily locate a large lump, stick a tiny needle in the cyst and suck out fluid. If the fluid is clear, then a benign diagnosis is almost 100 percent certain. Now get over your anxiety of an exam and go get some relief from a doctor's visit.  (+ info)

I Have fibrocystic disease so breast pain b/f period is normal but I think I hit my target?

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ovulation day. Now my nipples feel like they are being pinched this I do not usually exp. Could this mean pg, I'm due to start any day. And I am cramping but I hope this I finally over as I have been trying 16 mos. Anyone w/fibrocystic disease experience & pregnancy? It has been 10 yrs since last pg. & my disease wasn't a prob then.
The very first two symtoms of pregnancy i had was EXTREMLY painful breast. (to the point i was nearly in tears) and "pms" cramps.(third being heartburn) It felt like I was about to start my period any second. I even ran and bout more tampons. But nope...a week of cramps feeling like i was going to start any second and i bought a test and the rest is history!  (+ info)

I just found out Thursday that I have fibrocystic breast disease, what can I do for pain?

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I tried not wearing a bra this weekend, and it was terrible. Today I'm wearing a bra and it's better, but there is still pain. It's just in my right breast, and I am on Yaz. I haven't had ANY caffeine for 5 days, ever since the day that I found out. I've taken advil, but is there anything else I'm missing?
You might try heat and/or ice - whichever works.

In my experience (personal) caffeine has little to do with it, and after 50 needle biopsies (many years ago), one of the docs finally heard/learned that it is usually caused by a hormone problem. Duh.

You know, these newer birth control medications have more side effects and cause more problems than we will know in this lifetime.

I would not presume to tell you what to do other than try to obtain some degree of comfort. Still - - -  (+ info)

Do you have fibrocystic breast condition or fibrocystic breast disease?

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How did they diagnose you?
Does it hurt?
Mine doenst really hurt, or will hurt occasionally. Just wondering how they can tell the difference between cancer and fibrocysitc breasts?
Breast cancer tumors are hard, firm lumps. Fibrocystic lumps are softer and get tender when it's time for your period.  (+ info)

Question about fibrocystic breast disease?

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I went to the doctor last week because of a couple lumps and pain in both of my breasts, and she diagnosed me with fibrocystic breast disease, but I go in next week for an ultrasound.

I was just wondering how this disease forms? Because my breasts haven't always been painful, but have been hurting for the past month. So is it a sudden formation? Or do certain things trigger the cysts to be painful?
Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Definition

Fibrocystic breast disease is a general term that refers to a variety of symptoms and diagnoses, including breast lumpiness, tenderness, and a wide range of vaguely-defined benign breast conditions. The term is also used diagnostically to describe the appearance of breast tissues viewed under the microscope, on x-ray film, or on ultrasound equipment.

Description

There is no such thing as a typical or normal female breast. Breasts come in all shapes and sizes, with varying textures from smooth to extremely lumpy. The tissues of the female breast change in response to hormone levels, normal aging, nursing (lactation), weight shifts, and injury. To further complicate matters, the breast has several types of tissue, each of which may respond differently to changes in body chemistry.

Fibrocystic breast disease is clearly not a single, specific disease process. Variations or changes in the way the breast feels or looks on an x ray may cause the condition to be called "fibrocystic change." Other names have been used to refer to this imprecise and ill-defined term: mammary dysplasia, mastopathy, chronic cystic mastitis, indurative mastopathy, mastalgia, lumpy breasts, or physiologic nodularity.

Estimates vary, but 40–90% of all women have some evidence of fibrocystic condition, change, or disease. It is most common among women ages 30–50, but may be seen at other ages.

Causes & Symptoms

Fibrocystic condition refers to technical findings. This discussion will focus on symptoms a woman experiences, which may fall under the general category of the fibrocystic condition.

The breast is not a soft, smooth, pulpy organ. It is actually a type of sweat gland. Milk, the breasts' version of sweat, is secreted when the breast receives appropriate hormonal and environmental stimulation.

The normal breast contains milk glands, with their accompanying ducts, or pipelines, for transporting the milk. These complex structures may not only alter in size, but can increase or decrease in number as needed. Fibrous connective tissue, fatty tissue, nerves, blood and lymph vessels, and lymph nodes, with their different shapes and textures, lie among the ever-changing milk glands. This explains why a woman's breasts may not feel uniform in texture, and why "lumpiness" may wax and wane.

Fibrocystic condition is the tenderness, enlargement, and/or changing lumpiness that many women encounter just before or during their menstrual periods. At this time, female hormones are preparing the breasts for pregnancy, by stimulating the milk-producing cells and storing fluid. Each breast may contain as much as three to six teaspoons of excess liquid. Swelling, with increased sensitivity or pain, may result. If pregnancy does not occur, the body reabsorbs the fluid, and the engorgement and discomfort are relieved.

These symptoms range from mildly annoying in some women to extremely painful in others. The severity of the sensations may vary from month to month in the ...
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Do Fibrocystic Breast Disease and ovarian cysts have any kind of relation to each other?

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I have had FBD since my early teens, and now I am 18 and I have had two ovarian cysts(that I know of within the last 3 months) rupture. Is there any kind of relation between these two conditions? and could this effect my fertility?
I have fibrocystic breast disease and have had it since my early teens. I also have polycystic ovarian syndrome. My mother also has FBD and had a hysterectomy due to cysts so it also runs in families. The cycts on your ovaries could just be random cysts or it could be PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and many women who have PCOS suffer from fertility issues but there are treatments to help with these issues but you first need to see a specialist and be properly diagnosed and do it soon before damage is done.  (+ info)

Can severe fibrocystic breast disease cause enlargement of the axillary (armpit) lymph nodes?

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My left breast is complete consumed by cysts and they get terribly sore before my periods...have had a persistent lymph node enlargement in the left armpit (recent mammogram indicates it's benign). Have not had any infections or injuries, so was wondering if a severely fibrocystic condition could cause this
Yes it can,the axillary lymph nodes form part of your breast tissue,see your Dr. for a referral to a specialist for a proper diagnoses. you could try somethings to relieve it ,cut out salt &caffiene ie.coffee, chocolate,coke,during your period.take evening primrose oil should help to relieve it but will take several months to get into the system, massage with caster oil or any essentual oil.Heating pads warm soaks,icepacks may bring some comfort& wearing a well fitting bra day & night so they don't move around so much will make it more comfortable.Hope it helps.Good Luck.  (+ info)

Has a doctor ever said you have fibrocystic breast disease?

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I was told I have lumpy breasts and not to worry about it.
I used to work in a surgeon's office and many women have this. It is very common. The word 'disease' gives it a negative connotation but it is nothing to be worried about.  (+ info)

Is there any connection between fibromyalgia and fibrocystic breast disease?

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I'm wondering if any of the pain in other parts of my body, such as tenderness in various trigger points, that I'm associating with fibromyalgia, might in fact be due to benign cysts similar to the ones I get in my breasts.
No relation. The tender points in fibromyalgia do not contain cysts or any other abnormalities. They are normal areas that are naturally tender in everyone, but are more sensitive than normal if you have fibromyalgia.

Breast cysts are totally different, but of course can be tender too. If you have fibromyalgia you probably are more senstitive to the pain in the breast tissue than average.  (+ info)

Can Fibrocystic breast disease lead to or cause breast cancer?

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It shouldn't lead to or cause cancerous tumors, but having dense breast tissue can make it harder to find actual malignant tumors, so you should be vigilant about doing monthly self exams and every 6 month or atleast yearly doctor exams, and discuss mammograms with your doc as well.  (+ info)

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