Non-cancerous breast lumps often related to menstrual cycle. Try Mastitis, and see Fascia programs.Encyclopedia Entry for Fibrocystic Breast Disease :Fibrocystic breast disease. The exact cause of the condition is not known. Hormones made in the ovaries may make a woman's breasts feel swollen, lumpy, or painful before or during menstruation each month. Up to half of women have this condition at some time during their life. It is most common between the ages of 20 and 45. It is rare in women after menopause unless they are taking estrogen.Symptoms are more often worse right before your menstrual period. They tend to get better after your period starts. If you have heavy, irregular periods, your symptoms may be worse. If you take birth control pills, you may have fewer symptoms. In most cases, symptoms get better after menopause. Symptoms may include: Pain or discomfort in both breasts Pain that commonly comes and goes with your period, but may last through the whole month Breasts that feel full, swollen, or heavy Pain or discomfort under the arms Thick or lumpy breasts You may have a lump in the same area of the breast that becomes larger before each period and shrinks afterward. This type of lump moves when it is pushed with your fingers. It does not feel stuck or fixed to the tissue around it. This type of lump is common with fibrocystic breasts.Your health care provider will examine you. This will include a breast exam. Tell your provider if you have noticed any breast changes. If you are over 40, ask your provider how often you should have a mammogram to screen for breast cancer. For women under 35, a breast ultrasound may be used to look more closely at breast tissue. You may need further tests if a lump was found during a breast exam or your mammogram result was abnormal. Another mammogram and breast ultrasound may be done.Women who have no symptoms or only mild symptoms DO NOT need treatment. Your provider may recommend the following self-care measures: Take over-the-counter medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain Apply heat or ice on the breast Wear a well-fitting bra or a sports bra Some women believe that eating less fat, caffeine, or chocolate helps with their symptoms. There is no evidence that these measures help. Vitamin E, thiamine, magnesium, and evening primrose oil are not harmful in most cases. Studies have not shown these to be helpful. Talk with your provider before taking any medicine or supplement. For more severe symptoms, your provider may prescribe hormones, such as birth control pills or other medicine. Take the medicine exactly as instructed. Be sure to let your provider know if you have side effects from the medicine. Surgery is never done to treat this condition. But if you have a lump that is suspicious, your provider may recommend a biopsy. In this test, a small amount of tissue is removed from the lump and examined under a microscope.If your breast exams and mammograms are normal, you DO NOT need to worry about your symptoms. Fibrocystic breast changes DO NOT increase your risk of breast cancer. Symptoms usually improve after menopause.Call your provider if you: You find new or different lumps during your breast self-exam. You have new discharge from the nipple or any discharge that is bloody or clear. You have redness or puckering of the skin, or flattening or indentation of the nipple.Fibrocystic breast disease; Mammary dysplasia; Diffuse cystic mastopathy; Benign breast disease; Glandular breast changes; Cystic changes; Chronic cystic mastitis; Breast lump - fibrocystic.Female Breast Female breast Fibrocystic breast disease Fibrocystic breast disease.Alvero R. Fibrocystic breast disease.