Diseases & Conditions

Fibrocystic breasts

Fibrocystic breasts are composed of tissue that feels ropy, lumpy or bumpy in texture. Doctors call this "nodular" or "glandular" breast tissue.

It's not at all uncommon to have fibrocystic breasts. More than half of women experience fibrocystic breast changes at some point in their lives. In fact, medical professionals have stopped using the term "fibrocystic breast disease" and now simply refer to "fibrocystic breasts" or "fibrocystic breast changes" because having fibrocystic breasts isn't really a disease at all.

Although the breast changes categorized as "fibrocystic breasts" are normal, they can cause breast pain and tenderness. Simple self-care measures can usually alleviate discomfort associated with fibrocystic breasts.

Symptoms of fibrocystic breasts include:

• Breast lumps or areas of thickening
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Fluctuating size of breast lumps
• Nonbloody nipple discharge, in some cases
• Changes in both breasts, usually
• Monthly increase in breast pain or lumpiness from midcycle (ovulation) to just before your period

Fibrocystic breast changes occur most often in women in their 20s to 50s. Rarely do postmenopausal women experience fibrocystic breast changes, unless they're on hormone therapy.

When to see a doctor
Most fibrocystic breast changes are perfectly normal. However, if you find a new breast lump or area of thickening, or if a previously evaluated breast lump seems to have grown or otherwise changed, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out.