Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine is a Toronto naturopathic clinic dedicated to providing safe and effective treatment of a wide variety of health conditions using natural therapies and the principles of naturopathic medicine.
Fibrocystic breast changes are well treated using naturopathic medicine. Changes in breast tissue associated with fibrocystic breasts (e.g., tissue that feels ropey or lumpy) are all normal, and experienced by more than half of women at some point in their lives, usually between the ages of 20 and 50. For this reason, use of the word “disease” has been discontinued in describing the condition. The cause of fibrocystic breast changes is unknown, but reproductive hormones, particularly estrogen may play a role. Professional healthcare should be sought out if you notice new breast lumps or growth or changes in previously evaluated breast lumps.
Symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes
Possible symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes include:
- Breast lumps or areas of thickening
- Breast pain
- Fluctuations in size of breast lumps
- Changes usually occur in both breasts
- Aggravated mid-cycle to start of menstrual period
Fibrocystic breast changes treatment at Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine
At Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine, the goals of treatment for fibrocystic breast changes are to reduce or eliminate pain and correct underlying hormonal imbalances.
Conventional treatment for fibrocystic breast changes may include surgery, and variety of medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers, oral contraceptives and danazol which may have short- or long-term side effects. For this reason, you may choose to try natural treatment to possibly avoid use of conventional medications, or together with conventional medications in order to decrease dosages of conventional medications required to manage your fibrocystic breast change symptoms.
Naturopathic treatment of any chronic health concern must be recognized as a process that involves identifying specific treatment goals, a thorough understanding by your naturopathic doctor of all factors affecting your health, including physical, psychological, emotional and lifestyle factors, development of a comprehensive treatment plan and execution of that plan through periodic monitoring and adjustment.
At Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine a typical approach to treating fibrocystic breast changes is to first identify and address underlying factors in your lifestyle (e.g., high-fat diet, excessive caffeine use). Where appropriate, a number of therapeutic options are available, to be used alone, or more often in a complementary fashion, including:
- Nutritional supplements
- Botanical (herbal) medicines
- Cleansing protocols
- Hydrotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Homeopathic medicines
- Bowen Therapy
- Lifestyle counseling
- Relaxation techniques
Reference
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Fibrocystic breasts [Online]. [cited 2009 Feb 18]; Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibrocystic-breasts/DS01070