Causes of Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Fibrocystic breast disease (FBD), also known as mammary dysplasia, is a non-cancerous (benign) condition of the breast. Women with fibrocystic changes typically describe lumpiness, tenderness, and swelling which tend to occur around a woman's period. According to JS Chaddha, MD, FBD is a very common breast change estimated to occur in over 60 percent of women, especially between 30 to 50 years of age; also, FBD occurs less frequently in women who take birth control pills or are post-menopausal. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists indicate that FBD does not increase one's risk for breast cancer.

Estrogen and Progesterone

The exact etiology of fibrocystic change still is not known. However, since symptoms are associated with a woman's pattern variation of hormones during the monthly menstrual cycle, interactions between estrogen and progesterone are considered a potential cause of FBD. Mammary blood vessels swell, breasts retain fluid and enlarge due to cyclic patterns of estrogen and progesterone; these patterns then reverse post-menstruation.

Xenoestrogens

Xenoestrogens are environmental estrogens which are thought to affect human hormone levels. Xenoestrogens are found in multiple human contexts; for example, these environmental estrogens, are made by plants and are found in pesticides, fertilizers and food packing plastics. Additionally, there are food estrogens in certain foods (eg, meat and dairy).

Prolactin

Prolactin is a milk stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary. Increased levels of this hormone have been found to be associated with increased FBD occurrence in women. Thus, prolactin is viewed as another potential causative agent involved in producing fibrocystic breast changes.