Chest pain — mastalgia

Chest pain is the second most common symptom that causes women to seek medical help.

In addition to certain processes in the gland (mastitis, trauma followed by hematoma, fat necrosis, rupture cyst, sclerosing adenosis, cancer), they can also be caused by diseases outside the mammary gland, such as osteochondritis (Tietze syndrome), pleurisy, coronary heart disease and etc.

Very often, in 67-87% of cases with chest pain, they are not associated with a specific limited condition, but are mainly associated with hormonal effects with various hypothesized mechanisms (increased estrogen or prolactin levels, low progestin levels, lipid metabolism disorders, serotonin deficiency or endorphins). In these patients, pain may be accompanied by breast tenderness and rupture. This symptom is usually referred to in the literature as the term mastalgia.

Mastalgia is a common complaint, especially between the ages of 30 and 45, when it can be seen in more than 50% of women. It should be noted that it is normal to have hypersensitivity, weight and parenchymal cramps a few days before menstruation.

Although this symptom is rare, it occurs in men.

According to D. Ader, in 30% of patients the pain is moderate and lasts 5 or more days a month.

Data from another study of 1171 premenopausal patients presenting to a gynecology clinic found that 69% reported regular premenstrual discomfort, 11% had moderate to severe cyclic mastalgia, and 36% sought consultation for a complaint. Cyclic mastalgia can interfere with normal sexual (48%), physical (37%) and social activities (12%).

Etiology of cyclic mastalgia

The cause of cyclic mastalgia has not been established. There is evidence of hormonal theories associated with cyclical pain, which are explained by:

—           increased estrogen levels

—           low progesterone levels

—           changes in estrogen/progesterone ratio

—           low androgen levels

—           high prolactin levels

However, constant serum levels were not shown when examining estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin levels. There are also no signs of mastalgia with water retention, psychological factors or coffee consumption.

Breast fibrosis

Breast fibrosis is manifested by tension in the chest, muscle pain in the chest. The pain may occur in the middle of the chest or in the sternum area.

Classification of fibrocystic mastopathy

Fibrocystic mastopathy is characterized by tension in the chest, tightness in the chest, and breast cysts or a fatty lump of the mammary gland are often established.

Breast cysts — diagnosis and treatment

Breast cysts are usually asymptomatic, but sometimes they manifest as tightness in the mammary gland, and swelling of the lymph nodes may occur during inflammation. Upon examination, a lump in the breast and …

Fibrocystic mastopathy — risk factors and pathology

Fibrocystic mastopathy is a breast condition in which patients complain of dull chest pain, chest tightness, pain before menstruation and when examined with ultrasound

Risk factors:

• diet rich in saturated fat
• weight gain
• smoking
• pregnancy
• exogenous hormones
• large saggy breasts resulting from lengthening of ligaments

Pathophysiology mastalgia

The causes of chest pain are still unclear. They are believed to be related to hormonal or nutritional factors.

If you have fibrocystic disease, the growth and expansion of the cyst with hormonal fluctuations can cause pain.

The cost of treatment for mastalgia in German clinics starts from 3346 Euro.

chest painmastalgiamastalgia treatment