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Despite health and performance benefits of appropriate breast support in sport, elite women athletes' knowledge of breasts/bras is poor leading to poor bra choices, breast pain and performance decrements. This multiphase intervention assessed breast/bra issues and preferences, individually prescribed sports bras and evaluated outcomes for the England Senior Women footballers. Breast/bra workshops were delivered to England players; all 36 completed pre-intervention surveys and breast/bra assessments, before being prescribed bras six weeks before European and World Championships (2022, 2023). 24 players completed post-intervention surveys. Pre-intervention outcomes identified poor knowledge, poor bra fit, many bra issues, and cultural sensitivities. Breast pain was prevalent (61%), with 25% reporting clinically significant breast pain. Post-intervention, players reported significant improvements with prescribed sports bras. 91% reported improvements in knowledge and benefiting from the intervention. This successful intervention provided an evidence-base for ongoing breast health initiatives with England Teams, plus roll-out to all levels of women's football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mondor's Disease (MD) is a thrombophlebitis of the anterolateral chest wall, with only about 400 cases reported worldwide, predominantly in women. We report a case of MD with sudden onset of pain, edema, and asymmetry in the left breast, evolving over two weeks. Objectives: To present a case of breast MD identified in an outpatient primary care center in Bogotá, Colombia, as a contribution to broaden the understanding of this disease, raise awareness among healthcare teams about the importance of early identification and appropriate treatment, and contribute to the characterization of MD in the country. Findings: Physical examination revealed edema in the outer quadrants of the left breast associated with a visible longitudinal lesion in the upper outer quadrant (UOQ), tender to palpation. Ultrasound evidence confirmed superficial venous thrombosis. Interventions: A breast ultrasound was performed, showing vascular dilation in the UOQ of the left breast. A breast specialist evaluation was conducted to confirm the diagnosis of MD. Medical management included anti-inflammatory drugs and local heat application, resulting in favorable evolution. Conclusions: MD is an unusual condition in primary care settings, requiring greater awareness among healthcare teams for improved early identification.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical characteristics, quality of life (QoL) and effectiveness in patients with menstrual cycle disorders (MCDs) including abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea and mastodynia/mastalgia related to premenstrual syndrome taking the Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) products Cyclodynon® or Mastodynon® in a real-world setting. Methods: A single-center retrospective longitudinal cohort study (3 ± 1 months), using data obtained from healthcare data archive and telephone interviews. The main study variables were changes in bleeding, menstrual pain, breast tenderness and patients' QoL. Results: Data from 1700 women with a mean age of 30.2 years (± 6.3) were analyzed. The most common MCDs were dysmenorrhea (43.8%) and mastodynia/mastalgia (21.1%). Three-month treatment with VAC extract substantially decreased the percentage of patients with irregular cycle (from 9.1% to 0.1%) and breast tenderness (from 39.9% to 0.8%). Improvement in bleeding intensity, frequency and menstrual pain was experienced by 83.4%, 79.2%, and 85.2% of the patients, respectively. When analyzed by disease category, these parameters improved in almost all dysmenorrhea patients, while they improved to a lesser extent in mastodynia/mastalgia patients. QoL improved in all aspects, but was reported by a higher proportion of dysmenorrhea patients compared to mastodynia/mastalgia patients. Treatment was overall well tolerated with a favorable safety profile. Conclusion: These real-world data demonstrate the effectiveness of the VAC-containing products Cyclodynon® and Mastodynon® in the three-month treatment of MCDs, with a pronounced improvement in key disease symptoms and QoL. Intriguingly, while QoL was generally greatly improved, the response to VAC therapy varied depending on the type of underlying MCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast pain is extremely common, occurring in 70% to 80% of women. Most cases of breast pain are from physiologic or benign causes, and patients should be reassured and offered treatment strategies to alleviate symptoms, often without diagnostic imaging. A complete clinical history and physical examination is key for distinguishing intrinsic breast pain from extramammary pain. Breast pain without other suspicious symptoms and with a negative history and physical examination result is rarely associated with malignancy, although it is a common reason for women to undergo diagnostic imaging. When breast imaging is indicated, guidelines according to the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria should be followed as to whether mammography, US, or both are recommended. This review article summarizes the initial clinical evaluation of breast pain and evidence-based guidelines for imaging. Additionally, the article reviews cyclical and noncyclical breast pain and provides an image-rich discussion of the imaging presentation and management of benign and malignant breast pain etiologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastodynia is a common clinical symptom in general medical and gynecological practice. The objectives of this literature review are to analyze scientific information on the epidemiology of mastodynia/mastalgia, the impact on quality of life, inconsistencies in the etiology determination, to formulate a diagnostic concept, classification, and treatment, and to assess the therapeutic effects of Vitex Agnus-Castus. Scientific publications over the past 30 years were searched in the main research databases, CochraneLibrary, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and ELibrary, using the terms "mastalgia," "mastodynia," "Vitex Agnus-Castus," "chest pain," "chest pain, breast pain." The pathophysiology of mastodynia is multifaceted, with various etiology factors and independent ways of pain occurrence. Most studies have emphasized the importance of correctly classifying breast pain for accurate diagnosis and effective therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of pain episodes and improve quality of life while minimizing side effects. Vitex Agnus-Castus is safe and effective in the treatment of mastodynia.

Breast diseases (BD) are among the most urgent issues of modern reproductive medicine. This organ is an integral part of the female reproductive system and undergoes cyclic changes during the menstrual cycle. The modern "nosological trio" of BD is mastodynia, benign dysplasia, and breast cancer. These diseases have an extremely high prevalence, and breast cancer, in turn, ranks 1st in the structure of mortality from malignant neoplasms of the female reproductive system. All these aspects warrant the research of the key pathogenetic mechanisms of these conditions. However, one of the most relevant topics in modern gynecology is the counseling on the selection of contraceptive methods in these patients. Therefore, it is necessary to address the safety of hormonal contraceptive methods and to analyze innovations in hormonal contraceptives, which may have several protective and risk-reducing properties for BD.

Background: The unprecedented increase in population around the globe has led to considering family planning policies in recent decades. Intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most effective methods of contraception; yet, this method is associated with complications and problems that cause its removal.Objectives: This study aims to evaluate mastalgia and the complications attributed to it following Mirena IUD in women referring to medical centers in Yazd.Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 201 women using Mirena IUD who referred to the Gynecology Ward of two public and private hospitals in Yazd province were followed up for 6 months from November 2021 to June 2022. Data were gleaned using a data questionnaire including age, parity, duration of IUD use, and IUD complications and analyzed with SPSS22 using descriptive and analytical statistical chi-square.Results: Of 201 women studied, 48 (36.9%) reported mild mastalgia, 7 (3.5%) had moderate mastalgia, and 12 (6%) reported severe mastalgia after IUD insertion. After 6 months, 54 (37.9%) participants had mild mastalgia, 10 (5%) reported moderate mastalgia, and 12 (6%) reported severe mastalgia. Moreover, among the complications of IUD, menstrual spotting was reported in the majority of participants (57.2%), followed by pelvic pain (28.9%), dyspareunia (27.9%), and nausea (17.4%) as the most common complications, respectively.Conclusion: According to this study, mastalgia in women using IUD is the most common complication, second to abnormal uterine bleeding, and is not related to the age and parity of the participants. Also, IUD breast complications are relatively common, and more studies are needed to investigate these complications.

Background: Fibroadenosis, popularly termed aberrations of normal development and involution (ANDI), is by far the most common female breast presentation to a surgeon. ANDI accounts for the most common breast lumps in women

Objectives: 1) to determine the elasticity of normal breast tissue (parenchyma and premammary adipose tissue) in healthy women using ultrasound two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE); 2) to reveal a possible correlation between increased stiffness of the breast parenchyma and hyperprolactinemia in patients with mastodynia and mastopathy; 3) to evaluate the ability of the Vitex agnus-castus drug to reduce the stiffness of the breast glandular tissue; 4) to objectify the ability of the Vitex agnus-castus drug to affect the thickness of the breast parenchyma, the condition of the milk ducts and cystic changes. Materials and methods. Breast tissue stiffness was investigated using 2D shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) in 32 women aged 18–52 with cyclic mastalgia/mastopathy before and after treatment with Vitex agnus-castus drug. A correlation was made with laboratory parameters (prolactin level), the general condition of the breast according to the results of ultrasonography in gray scale mode. The control group consisted of 78 women without complaints, without signs of diffuse and focal pathology of the mammary glands. Results. The 2D-SWE elastography showed normal values of breast tissue stiffness in women without pathology. 2D-SWE in symptomatic women made it possible to detect increased stiffness of the breast parenchyma, thereby screening for its diffuse changes. At the same time, dynamic changes in the softbreast tissue as a result of the treatment (parenchyma thickness, dilatation of the milk ducts, the presence of simple cystic foci (BI-RADS 2)) were diagnosed, analyzed and compared in grayscale mode ultrasonography (2D). The majority of patients (90,6%) noted a decrease in the level of prolactin after treatment. Statistical evidence of the positive effect of the Vitex agnus-castus drug in the treatment of mastodynia/mastopathy has been proven. Conclusions. Assessment of the basic breast tissue stiffness using 2D-SWE makes it possible to screen patients with its elevated values. This fact makes it possible to assign these women to the risk group of developing breast cancer. Evaluation of changes in the mechanical stiffness properties of the breast soft tissues makes it possible to evaluate and objectify the effectiveness of the treatment.

The problem of mastalgia is widespread: up to 70% of women report regular or episodic pain in the mammary gland. The role of benign breast disease in the occurrence of these complaints was noted only in 10–30% of cases, while in most women mastalgia is a manifestation of premenstrual syndrome caused by excessive water retention in the body. As a therapy for such patients, the optimal solution would be to prescribe a new combined oral contraceptive containing 15 mg of estetrol and 3 mg of drospirenone. The uniqueness of this combination in this situation lies in the pronounced antimineralocorticoid effect of drospirenone, supported by a high safety profile of estetrol, including a reduced risk of developing breast cancer compared to other combined oral contraceptive.

Abstract Objective Different drugs are used to treat mastalgia, such as danazol and bromocriptine, and both are associated with side effects, due to which most of women and healthcare providers are interested in herbal medicines. Therefore we aim to study the effectiveness of phytoestrogens on the severity of cyclic mastalgia. Methods To carry out the present study, English electronic resources such as the Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were used systematically and with no time limitation up to February 10, 2020. Results In total, 20 studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that herbal medicines versus the control group (standard mean difference [SMD] = - 0.585; 95% confidence interval [CI]: - 0.728–- 0.44; heterogeneity; p = 0.02; I2 = 42%), herbal medicines versus the B group (SMD = - 0.59; 95%CI: - 0.75–- 0.44; heterogeneity; p = 0.03; I2 = 42%), and its subgroups, such as phytoestrogen (SMD = - 0.691; 95%CI: - 0.82–- 0.55; heterogeneity; p = 0.669; I2 = 0%), Vitex-agnus-castus (SMD = - 0.642; 95%CI: - 0.84–- 0.44; p < 0.001; p = 203; I2 = 32%), flaxseed (SMD = - 0.63; 95%CI: - 0.901–- 0.367; p = 0.871; I2 = 0%), and evening primrose (SMD= - 0.485; 95%CI:- 0.84–- 0.12; p = 0.008; heterogeneity; p = 0.06; I2 = 56%] may have effective and helpful effects on improving cyclic breast mastalgia. Also, chamomile, isoflavone, cinnamon, and nigella sativa significantly reduced mastalgia symptoms. Conclusion Herbal medicines and their subgroups may have effective and helpful effects on improving cyclic breast mastalgia. The findings of our meta-analysis must be done cautiously because low methodological quality in some evaluated studies of this systematic review.

Background: Fibroadenosis, popularly termed aberrations of normal development and involution (ANDI), is by far the most common female breast presentation to a surgeon. ANDI accounts for the most common breast lumps in women <30 years of age. Mastalgia, a significant spectrum of ANDI, is usually classified as (1) cyclical mastalgia (more common) and (2) non-cyclical mastalgia. Breast nodularity, the other spectrum of ANDI may either present as a predominant feature or coexist with mastalgia. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to comparatively study ormeloxifene and evening primrose oil with respect to regression of fibroadenosis and mastalgia and evaluate their side effects. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata from February 15th, 2021 to February 14th, 2022, after obtaining prior Institutional Ethical Committee Clearance. Two hundred and eighty patients were equally divided into two groups of 140 in each and screened for inclusion in this study. Results: At the start of treatment, Group A (Ormeloxifene) presented with a mean visual analog scale (VAS) score value of 5.71, while patients of Group B presented with a similar mean VAS score value of 5. Group B recorded a VAS score of 4.50 at the end of the 6th month, while Group A recorded a significant downhill slope of negligible mean VAS score value of 0.80 at the of the 6th month. In breast nodularity gradings too, Group A showed significant down staging of grades returning, 95% confidence interval at the end of 6th month as 1.144, while 2.280 was recorded for Group B. Conclusion: Benign breast disease is a common presenting problem in females of reproductive age. Ormeloxifene can be a better alternative to evening primrose oil in both cyclical and non-cyclical types of mastalgia. Larger trials are however required, to finally conclude on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic mastalgia is one of the most prevalent problems in women of reproductive age and sometimes it is so severe that it influences their activities and requires treatment. The available drug treatments for mastalgia are not satisfactory and most patients have inclined towards complementary and alternative medicine including herbal medicines. Therefore, in order to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of herbal medicines conducting systematic review studies and meta-analysis seems essential, thus this systematic review was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of herbal medicines on cyclic mastalgia and its probable side effects. The databases of Pubmed, Medline, Embase, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of science, Complementary Medicine Database, SID (Scientific information database), Magiran and Iranmedex were searched from 1997 to 2020 and limited only for English and Persian languages. The studies were appraised according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan software. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated to assess an overall estimate of effectiveness for the continuous data. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated for dichotomous data. Thirty papers were included in the study. Meta-analysis of data demonstrated that herbal medicine was an effective method in reducing the severity of mastalgia compared to the placebo (SMD: −3.26, 95% CI: −5.05 to −1.46, p=0.00004). Subanalysis of data showed no difference between the effectiveness of herbal medicine on the severity of mastalgia compared to the pharmacologic treatment. This research demonstrated efficacy of herbal medicines in alleviating cyclic mastalgia. Therefore, these herbal medicines can be regarded as an alternative treatment for women suffering from cyclic mastalgia. However, due to the limited number of studies in relation to each specific herbal treatment, conducting further studies in this area is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]