Breast engorgement is a condition characterized by the following symptoms: swelling, thickening, tenderness of the chest. Such a condition may be a sign of a disease or the result of malnutrition, stress, medication, etc. To determine the cause of engorgement of the mammary glands, a specialist consultation is necessary. Timely treatment will eliminate unpleasant symptoms and help prevent the development of breast diseases.
Causes of breast swelling in women
The female breast is a very sensitive organ that sensitively reacts to many changes that occur in the body. The hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and also before menstruation are especially acute in the state of the breast. During such periods, women often encounter a problem such as breast engorgement.
Breast swelling before menstruation
Hormonal changes before menstruation lead to unpleasant sensations. The second phase of the menstrual cycle is characterized by a change in progesterone levels, which is manifested by sensations of heaviness in the chest. Normally, such sensations should pass with the onset of menstruation. If breast engorgement before critical days is accompanied by severe pain, small seals are felt in the chest, which do not disappear with the onset of menstruation, then you must consult a doctor to determine the cause of this condition. A reason for contacting a specialist is breast swelling after menstruation, this can be a sign of various diseases or hormonal disorders. A disease such as mastopathy can be accompanied by discomfort in the chest, both before and after menstruation.
Breast swelling in girls
The reason for such changes is the maturation of the genital organs, which is accompanied by hormonal changes. After the establishment of the menstrual cycle and restoration of hormonal balance, engorgement of the mammary glands in girls is noted only on certain days of the cycle. If pain and swelling appear regardless of the day of the cycle, you should visit a mammologist.
Breast engorgement during pregnancy
In a woman who is expecting a baby, breast swelling is normal. During pregnancy, the production of hormones increases, due to which the mammary gland increases, which causes discomfort. Unpleasant sensations pass with the completion of breastfeeding. If dark discharge from the nipple, seals, severe pain appears, consult a doctor.
Breast lactation
The engorgement of the mammary glands during lactation is accompanied by compaction in the chest, swelling, redness, clogging of the milk ducts, which prevents the secretion of milk, pain, fever. The breast is poured, it becomes hard, which leads to unpleasant sensations.
After the baby is born, colostrum forms in the mother’s breast, which is replaced with mature milk after three days. In the process, the mammary glands fill up, become denser, and pain occurs. This condition is completely normal and is called physiological engorgement of the mammary glands; it passes several days after the start of feeding. If the discomfort persists for a long time, feeding does not bring relief, you should consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of blockage of the milk ducts or mastitis.
In order to avoid such problems during the feeding process, it is necessary to give the baby a breast every two hours, while ensuring that the baby correctly grabs the breast.
Breast engorgement can occur with a sudden cessation of breastfeeding. In addition, such a condition is also possible if the child sucks less milk than it is produced, for example, during a period of illness or with the introduction of complementary foods.
If breast engorgement could not be avoided, you can use some tips to alleviate the condition:
- a warm shower or bath will help eliminate unpleasant symptoms. You can wrap the chest with a warm, damp terry cloth, which contributes to the release of excess milk;
- careful massage movements help soften the mammary glands;
- the most natural way to eliminate discomfort is feeding the baby.
To prevent breast engorgement, as a prophylaxis at the end of feeding, you can apply something cold to your chest, use protective caps and breast pumps, wear a comfortable bra.
Fluid retention
This is another cause of breast swelling. In this case, you need to adjust your diet and lifestyle. Excess caffeinated drinks, salty and fatty foods in the diet, lack of physical activity leads to fluid retention.
Inconvenient underwear
Wearing a tight bra that has tight inserts, bones or is not suitable in size leads to a violation of the blood circulation in the mammary glands. Therefore, it is very important to choose a comfortable, loose underwear that fits the size, does not compress the chest and does not cause discomfort.
Medication
The use of certain medications can lead to certain changes in the chest, which are accompanied by swelling. If you find such a relationship, you should seek the advice of a doctor. You may need to take diuretics, which helps to remove fluid from the body. Hormonal contraceptives can also cause this condition, in which case you need to consult a gynecologist.
Breast swelling in newborns
Breast engorgement in newborns is a common phenomenon. This condition is called a sexual crisis. The reason for it is the ingress of hormones of the mother through the placenta to the baby. Symptoms go away in the third week. The engorgement of the mammary glands in newborns will not affect the further development of the child's body and is not dangerous. It is forbidden to apply compresses, squeeze the mammary glands and perform other procedures.
Breast engorgement in newborn girls and boys, which is accompanied by pain, fever, baby anxiety or other symptoms, requires a doctor. Similar signs may indicate the development of mastitis. The reason for it may be improper care, attempts to get rid of breast swelling with ointments and warming.
A similar condition is treated by applying compresses, absorbable ointments and the use of antibiotics, sometimes surgical removal of pus from the swollen mammary glands is necessary.
Breast swelling in boys
Breast engorgement in boys can occur at any age. In infants, this phenomenon is explained by the ingestion of mother hormones into the body of the newborn and passes on its own. During puberty, breast enlargement may occur due to the production of male and female sex hormones. The engorgement of the mammary glands is explained by the release of the female hormones estrogen. Most often, only areola swells, but sometimes the entire breast enlarges. With an increase in the production of male sex hormones, breast growth stops. There are more serious causes of this condition, such as endocrine diseases. Breast swelling in boys is called gynecomastia. It may be symmetric or asymmetric.
The cause of the disease is a disturbed balance between the amount of male and female hormones, an excess of prolactin, the use of drugs that can provoke the development of male breasts, and drugs.
The breast can increase to 10 cm, this process is accompanied by itching, the appearance of seals, discharge from the nipples, and increased sensitivity of the mammary glands.
In the initial period, when engorgement of the mammary glands has just occurred, treatment can be quite effective. With the progression of the disease, glandular maturation and an increase in connective tissue occur. With an increase in lymph nodes in the armpits, discoloration of the nipples, the appearance of liquid bloody discharge from them, there is a risk of developing breast cancer. Such symptoms are a reason for immediate medical attention.
Breast swelling can occur after taking certain drugs, the abolition of which normalizes the ratio between male and female hormones. In some cases, hormone therapy is prescribed in order to increase the amount of male hormones in the body of a teenager.
When drugs do not give results, you have to resort to surgical methods of treatment. During the operation, part of the adipose tissue is removed.
The condition of the mammary glands largely depends on the activity of the whole organism. Unusual symptoms, such as pain, swelling for no apparent reason, are a signal to see a doctor, which will help determine the causes of this condition and, if necessary, start treatment, avoiding complications.