Anon - It's difficult to find information on this, however there is a condition known as breast hypertrophy, which is the abnormal enlargement of the breast tissue. Most women stop breast development after puberty, but some women have low progesterone levels during adolescence and "catch up" later in life.
If the growth is such that the size of your breasts is causing physical pain and body stress you may want to consider breast reduction surgery. The Mayo Clinic provides some very helpful information about the procedure: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-reduction-surgery/MY00778
Additionally, the following information on treatments for fibrocystic breasts may also help you. (Please note, fibrocystic breasts are not a disease or disorder, even though your doctors may have used those terms.)
What are the treatments for fibrocystic breast condition?
The treatments for fibrocystic breast condition are directed at the individual components of the condition, including the relief of symptoms (such as breast pain and tenderness) and the correction of hormonal irregularities:
1. Relief of symptoms: Some simple measures, such as adequate support of the breasts and perhaps wearing a bra at night, may provide relief from many of the symptoms of fibrocystic breast condition. Antiinflammatory medications, including acetaminophen and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs), often reduce the breast pain significantly.
There are reports suggesting that a variety of vitamins may be of benefit in relieving the symptoms of fibrocystic breast condition. These have included vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and vitamin A, among others. In general, the rationale for using these vitamins is unclear and is not based on duplicated, controlled clinical studies. The exception may be vitamin E where, at least in some studies, there appears to be a measurable benefit for some patients.
Another food supplement that has been claimed to be of some benefit in clinical studies is Oil of Primrose. This substance contains certain essential fatty acids that allegedly benefit some fibrocystic breast condition patients by reducing their breast pain. There is no scientific evidence showing any correction (resolution) of the microscopic cellular abnormalities with use of this substance.
2. Hormonal irregularities: Some women with very irregular menstrual cycles seem to progressively suffer more severe fibrocystic breast condition. This tendency is most likely due to the prolonged and irregular hormonal stimulation of the breasts. In these patients, it is sometimes helpful to establish menstrual cycle regularity with oral contraceptives. Regular cycles seem to allow the breast tissue to recover more completely at the end of each menstrual cycle.
In patients who have had a hysterectomy and who are on hormone therapy, it may be helpful to be "off estrogen" for five days during each monthly cycle rather than remain on continuous estrogen. Again, this schedule is designed to avoid the continuous stimulation of the breast tissues by estrogen. It is important that any such hormone regulation be under the direct supervision of a physician.
Certain common hormonal (endocrine) abnormalities, such as diabetes or thyroid dysfunction, may contribute to fibrocystic breast condition. Since these conditions may aggravate the symptoms of fibrocystic breast condition, they should be diagnosed and treated.
3. Studies have shown some benefit from the short term use of the antiestrogenic drug Tamoxifen in relieving breast pain. However, tamoxifen use may be associated with a number of adverse effects, especially in postmenopausal women, and its use should be limited to the short term. Likewise, the androgenic steroid drug danazol (Danocrine) has also been shown to reduce breast pain and nodule size in women with fibrocystic breast condition. Danazol is also associated with a number of side effects. Both of these medications may be considered for use in women with severe cyclical breast pain due to fibrocystic condition.
Full reference at: http://www.medicinenet.com/fibrocystic_breast_condition/article.htm
Hope this helps you, and gives you some new ideas. Pat
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Anon - It's difficult to find information on this, however there is a condition known as breast hypertrophy, which is the abnormal enlargement of the breast tissue. Most women stop breast development after puberty, but some women have low progesterone levels during adolescence and "catch up" later in life.
If the growth is such that the size of your breasts is causing physical pain and body stress you may want to consider breast reduction surgery. The Mayo Clinic provides some very helpful information about the procedure: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-reduction-surgery/MY00778
Additionally, the following information on treatments for fibrocystic breasts may also help you. (Please note, fibrocystic breasts are not a disease or disorder, even though your doctors may have used those terms.)
What are the treatments for fibrocystic breast condition?
The treatments for fibrocystic breast condition are directed at the individual components of the condition, including the relief of symptoms (such as breast pain and tenderness) and the correction of hormonal irregularities:
1. Relief of symptoms: Some simple measures, such as adequate support of the breasts and perhaps wearing a bra at night, may provide relief from many of the symptoms of fibrocystic breast condition. Antiinflammatory medications, including acetaminophen and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs), often reduce the breast pain significantly.
There are reports suggesting that a variety of vitamins may be of benefit in relieving the symptoms of fibrocystic breast condition. These have included vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and vitamin A, among others. In general, the rationale for using these vitamins is unclear and is not based on duplicated, controlled clinical studies. The exception may be vitamin E where, at least in some studies, there appears to be a measurable benefit for some patients.
Another food supplement that has been claimed to be of some benefit in clinical studies is Oil of Primrose. This substance contains certain essential fatty acids that allegedly benefit some fibrocystic breast condition patients by reducing their breast pain. There is no scientific evidence showing any correction (resolution) of the microscopic cellular abnormalities with use of this substance.
2. Hormonal irregularities: Some women with very irregular menstrual cycles seem to progressively suffer more severe fibrocystic breast condition. This tendency is most likely due to the prolonged and irregular hormonal stimulation of the breasts. In these patients, it is sometimes helpful to establish menstrual cycle regularity with oral contraceptives. Regular cycles seem to allow the breast tissue to recover more completely at the end of each menstrual cycle.
In patients who have had a hysterectomy and who are on hormone therapy, it may be helpful to be "off estrogen" for five days during each monthly cycle rather than remain on continuous estrogen. Again, this schedule is designed to avoid the continuous stimulation of the breast tissues by estrogen. It is important that any such hormone regulation be under the direct supervision of a physician.
Certain common hormonal (endocrine) abnormalities, such as diabetes or thyroid dysfunction, may contribute to fibrocystic breast condition. Since these conditions may aggravate the symptoms of fibrocystic breast condition, they should be diagnosed and treated.
3. Studies have shown some benefit from the short term use of the antiestrogenic drug Tamoxifen in relieving breast pain. However, tamoxifen use may be associated with a number of adverse effects, especially in postmenopausal women, and its use should be limited to the short term. Likewise, the androgenic steroid drug danazol (Danocrine) has also been shown to reduce breast pain and nodule size in women with fibrocystic breast condition. Danazol is also associated with a number of side effects. Both of these medications may be considered for use in women with severe cyclical breast pain due to fibrocystic condition.
Full reference at: http://www.medicinenet.com/fibrocystic_breast_condition/article.htm
Hope this helps you, and gives you some new ideas. Pat
December 13, 2010 - 5:59pmThis Comment
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