Breast engorgement: causes and treatment

Breast engorgement is a condition characterized by such signs: swelling, tightening, tenderness of the breast. A similar condition can be a sign of a disease or a result of malnutrition, stress, medication, etc. To determine the cause of engorgement of the mammary glands, 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 reacts sensitively to many changes that occur in the body. Especially acute on the condition of the breast are reflected hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, breastfeeding, as well as before menstruation. In such periods, women often face such a problem as breast engorgement.

Swelling of the breast before menstruation

Hormonal changes before menstruation lead to unpleasant sensations. The second phase of the menstrual cycle is characterized by a change in the level of progesterone, which is manifested by sensations of heaviness in the chest. Normally, such feelings should pass with the onset of menstruation. If breast engorgement before critical days is accompanied by severe pain, seals of small size are felt in the chest, which do not disappear with the onset of menstruation, it is necessary to consult a doctor to find out the cause of this condition. The reason for referring to a specialist is swelling of the breast after menstruation, this may be a sign of various diseases or hormonal disorders. Such a disease as mastopathy can be accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the chest both before and after menstruation.

Swelling of mammary glands 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 the restoration of the hormonal balance, the engorgement of the mammary glands in girls is noted only on certain days of the cycle. If pain and swelling occur regardless of the day of the cycle, you need to visit a mammologist.

Breast engorgement during pregnancy

In a woman who expects a baby, swelling of the breast 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. When dark discharge from the nipple, seals, severe pains appear, consult a doctor.

Breast engorgement during lactation

Breaking of the mammary glands during lactation is accompanied by compaction in the chest, swelling, redness, clogging of the milk ducts, which prevents the discharge of milk, pain, and fever. The chest is poured, it becomes firm, which leads to unpleasant sensations.

After the birth of the baby, a colostrum is formed in the mother's breast, which is replaced by mature milk after three days. In the process, the mammary glands are filled, thickened, and painful. Such a state is perfectly normal and is called physiological engorgement of the mammary glands, it passes several days after the beginning of feeding. If unpleasant sensations do not last long, feeding does not bring relief, it is necessary to 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, at the same time, it must be ensured that the baby correctly grasps the breast.

Breaking of the breast can be observed with a sharp cessation of breastfeeding. In addition, this condition is possible if the child sucks less milk than it is produced, for example, during illness or when supplementation is introduced.

If you can not avoid breast engorgement, you can use some tips to ease the condition:
- Warm shower or bath will help to eliminate unpleasant symptoms. You can wrap a breast with a warm wet terry cloth, which helps to allocate excess milk;
- cautious massage movements help to soften the mammary glands;
- the most natural way to eliminate discomfort is feeding the baby.

To prevent engorgement of the mammary glands, as a prophylaxis after the end of feeding, you can put something cold on your chest, use protective caps and breast pumps, wear a comfortable bra.

Fluid retention

This is another reason for swelling of the mammary glands. In this case, you need to adjust your diet and lifestyle. Excess of caffeinated drinks, salty and fatty foods in the diet, lack of physical activity leads to fluid retention.

Inconvenient clothes

Wearing a tight bra that has rigid inserts, bones or does not fit in size, leads to a disruption in blood circulation in the mammary glands. Therefore it is very important to choose a comfortable, free linen that matches the size, does not squeeze the chest and does not cause any discomfort.

Reception of medicines

To certain changes in the chest, which are accompanied by swelling, can lead to the use of certain medicines. If you find this relationship, you need to seek medical advice. It may be necessary to take diuretics, which helps to remove fluid from the body. Hormonal contraceptives can also cause this condition, in this case, a consultation of the gynecologist is needed.

Breast swelling in newborns

Breaking of mammary glands in newborns is a frequent occurrence. This condition is called a sexual crisis. The reason for it is the ingestion of the mother's hormones through the placenta to the baby. Symptoms occur in the third week. Breaking 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 treatment to the doctor. Such signs may indicate the development of mastitis. The cause of it may be improper care, attempts to get rid of swelling of the breast with ointments and warming.

Such a condition is treated by applying compresses, absorbable ointments and using 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 by itself. At puberty, breast enlargement can occur in connection with the development of male and female sex hormones. Breast engorgement is due to the release of female estrogen hormones. Most often, only the areola swell, but sometimes the entire breast increases. With an increase in the production of male sex hormones, breast growth stops. There are also more serious causes of this condition, for example endocrine diseases. Swelling of the breast in boys is called gynecomastia. It can be symmetric or asymmetric.

The cause of the disease is a disturbed balance between the number of male and female hormones, an excess of prolactin, the use of drugs that can provoke the development of the male breast, and drugs.

Breasts can grow to 10 cm, this process is accompanied by itching, the appearance of seals, secretions from the nipples, increased sensitivity of the mammary glands.
In the initial period, when there was only engorgement of the mammary glands, the treatment can be quite effective. With the progression of the disease, the glandular maturation and the increase in connective tissue occur. With the increase in lymph nodes in the armpits, changes in the color of the nipples, the appearance of liquid bloody discharge from them, there is a risk of developing breast oncology. Such symptoms are an occasion for immediate medical attention.

Swelling of the mammary glands can occur after taking some 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 number of male hormones in the body of a teenager.

When medicines do not yield results, one must resort to surgical methods of treatment. During the operation, remove part of the fat tissue.

The condition of the mammary glands depends largely on the activity of the whole organism. Unusual symptoms such as soreness, swelling for no apparent reason are a signal to call a doctor who can help determine the cause of this condition and, if necessary, begin treatment without complications.