Male mastopathy
Since the term “mastopathy” refers to a variety of proliferative or degenerative remodelling processes of the mammary gland tissue, this disease can occur in both women and men. In most cases, mastopathy in men is based on a hormonal disorder. One of the most common causes of mastopathy in men is the degeneration of the breast tissue (benign ulcers or breast cancer).
While breast cancer in women is one of the most common tumor diseases, this form of mastopathy in men is generally quite rare. Particularly in men, the risk of developing breast cancer indicated mastopathies can be significantly increased, especially by a family history. Especially changes in the so-called “BRCA genes” play a decisive role in this context.
In addition, spontaneous mutation of the breast tissue can also occur in men. In these cases there is no family history of breast cancer. According to some studies, especially men suffering from the so-called “Klinefelter syndrome” (these men have one or more additional female X chromosomes) have a significantly increased risk of developing such a mastopathy.
Furthermore, mastopathy can also be caused in men by the smallest calcifications (micro calcifications).In the course of these calcifications, the individual glandular lobules of the affected man become enlarged and the surrounding connective tissue is clearly hardened. With the exception of breast cancer, mastopathies in both women and men cannot be treated specifically. As a rule, only a therapy of the symptoms associated with the mastopathy is carried out (symptomatic treatment).
To alleviate the symptoms, painkillers (for example ibuprofen or paracetamol) and herbal remedies can be used. Especially in the case of mastopathy in men, monk’s pepper or locally applicable Bingelkraut are particularly suitable. In addition, the complaints caused by the changes in the breast tissue can be alleviated by homeopathic preparations (for example Phytolacca) or Schuessler salts.
While mastopathy in women usually recedes completely after the menopause, the causes of the changes in the breast tissue must be identified in affected men. In addition, malignant changes should always be ruled out if the symptoms persist. For this reason, a mastopathy that occurs in men should also be examined with suitable imaging procedures.
In this context, especially the ultrasound examination of the breast represents a suitable diagnostic measure. If there is a specific suspicion of a malignant change in the mammary gland tissue, a tissue sample (biopsy) can be taken. The main aim of treatment of mastopathy is to relieve the symptoms caused by the remodelling processes of the mammary gland tissue.
In this context, patients suffering from a mastopathy can take painkillers. Above all, analgesics containing the active ingredients ibuprofen or paracetamol are particularly well suited to alleviate pain associated with mastopathy. Since in most cases an imbalance in the hormone balance of the affected patients is responsible for the development of mastopathy, the therapy of this disease consists mainly of balancing the hormone concentrations.
If the symptoms persist, any excess of estrogen should be compensated by the administration of progestins. According to the therapy schedule, affected patients (this only applies to affected women) must take a special progestin preparation from the 16th to the 25th day of the cycle, depending on the cycle. In addition to pain, the remodelling processes of the breast tissue cause significant tension in many of the affected patients.
In addition, the symptoms typically do not occur permanently but at regular intervals. The therapy of these tensions is usually carried out by administering so-called “prolactin inhibitors” (synonym: lactation inhibitors). In this way, the remodelling processes of the mammary gland tissue can be inhibited and the symptoms felt by the affected patients can be significantly alleviated.
The effect of the typically prescribed drugs should already occur after a few days if taken properly. A decrease in symptoms can therefore be expected quite quickly after initiation of a suitable therapy. If the breast tissue does not respond to the selected therapy, a further visit to the treating specialist and, if necessary, a change in the therapy strategy should take place soon.
In particularly pronounced cases of mastopathy, the secretion of estrogen can also be intervened directly. In this context, drugs containing the active ingredient Danazol are particularly suitable. When taken regularly, this active ingredient inhibits the release of oestrogen.