Fibrocystic disease, or more correctly "fibrocystic breast disease," is not really a disease but a medical condition of painful, lumpy breasts. Fibrocystic breasts are commonly swollen, feel heavy or may feel thick and lumpy. Some women feel caffeine has an effect on this condition. Dr. Carol Scott-Conner, of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, says that studies have shown that while caffeine does not cause fibrocystic breasts, it may increase the pain and tenderness in the breasts.
Fibrocystic Breasts
According to MedlinePlus, fibrocystic breast changes affect more than half of all women. Symptoms most commonly start when the woman is in her 30s. Hormone replacement therapy for menopause tends to make the condition worse, while women who take birth control pills have fewer symptoms. Symptoms are usually worse right before a woman has her menstrual period and then improve after the period starts. Breast exams and mammograms are usually normal.
Caffeine and Fibrocystic Breasts
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, an internist at MayoClinic.com, says that caffeine can increase the levels of stress hormones like cortisol, and those hormones may affect your reproductive hormones over time. Pruthi feels the combination and interplay of stress and reproductive hormones with caffeine may play a role in premenstrual breast swelling and pain. However, one of the few studies on the subject, published in the June 1987 issue of "Surgery," reported that caffeine reduction did not result in a decrease of lumps, pain or tenderness.
Stopping Caffeine
Pruthi reports that some women say their breast pain is decreased when they stop drinking caffeine, although there is no research to support this effect. Scott-Conner agrees that stopping caffeine helps some women. Stopping caffeine does not cure fibrocystic breast disease; it only decreases discomfort from the symptoms. Other possible dietary strategies include eating less fat, stopping chocolate or restricting salt intake. Pruthi and Scott-Conner say none of these is supported by research but are suggestions from anecdotal reports by women with fibrocystic breast disease.
Considerations and Warnings
Some symptoms of fibrocystic disease are similar to the changes seen in early breast cancer. Lumpy breasts are more difficult to examine, and mammograms can be difficult to interpret. Women with fibrocystic disease should be alert for changes in the breast, discharge from a nipple, redness or puckering of the skin around the nipple, or flattening or indentation of the nipple. If you have questions or concerns, consult a health-care professional.
References
- MedlinePlus: Fibrocystic Breast Disease; Debra G. Wechter M.D. and David Zieve, M.D.; January 2011
- University of Iowa Health Care: Fibrocystic Breast Disease: Frequently Asked Questions; Carol Scott-Conner, MD; August 2006
- MayoClinic.com: Do Fibrocystic Breast Changes Increase My Risk Of Breast Cancer? Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.; December 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Does Caffeine Cause Breast Cysts? Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.; November 2010
- "Surgery"; The Effect of Decreased Caffeine Consumption on Benign Proliferative Breast Disease: a Randomized Clinical Trial; S.S. Allen and D.G. Froberg; 1987
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