What are fibrocystic breasts?

Breasts that are dense or lumpy (more glandular or nodular tissue relative to fat)

What are symptoms?

  • Breast pain, tenderness and lumpiness especially in the upper, outer areas of the breasts
  • Breasts may feel rope-like and may be more swollen, heavy or full
  • Symptoms worsen before menstruation and are better after
  • Have a grade C (>50% <75%  glandular tissue) or D (>75% glandular tissue) on mammogram
  • Dense breasts make the mammogram harder to read, in severe cases (grade D) additional imaging is needed (bilateral ultrasound or MRI)
  • May have a dark brown or greenish discharge from the nipples
  • Lumps may change size throughout the menstrual cycle (bigger before)

Treatments

  • Oral contraceptive pills- decrease the hormonal swings
  • Decreasing caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate)
  • Evening Primrose Oil – changes the balance of fatty acids and decreases breast pain
  • Iodine- acts as an anti oxidant to the breasts and decreases cystic formation by affecting estrogen metabolism
  • DIM – balances the hormones in the body  by affection estrogen & testosterone
  • Metabolism

Evening Primrose Oil made from the seeds of the evening primrose plant; contains gamma-linolenic acid; can take up to 3 grams daily

Iodine supplementation will improve fibrocystic breasts and can actually remodel the tissue in as little as 6 months; conservative daily dose is 0.8 mg/kg ; I suggest 12.5 mg daily but start slow- 1 pill every third day first month, every other day second month and then daily by the third

DIM (3,3′-Diindolylmethane) supports beneficial estrogen metabolism and is important for breast, colon and prostate health, increases the formation of powerful antioxidants; made from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts; should take 150 mg 1-2x/day; may cause urine to darken Adequate doses of iodine, DIM & Evening Primrose Oil can be hard to find. We carry them here!