Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of fibrocystic breasts may include:

• Breast lumps or areas of thickening that tend to blend into the surrounding breast tissue
• Generalized breast pain or tenderness or discomfort that involves the upper outer part of the breast
• Breast nodules or lumpy tissue change in size with the menstrual cycle
• Green or dark brown nonbloody nipple discharge that tends to leak without pressure or squeezing
• Breast changes that are similar in both breasts
• Monthly increase in breast pain or lumpiness from midcycle (ovulation) to just before your period and then gets better once your period starts

Fibrocystic breast changes occur most often between 30 and 50 years of age. These changes happen rarely after menopause unless you're taking hormone replacement medicine such as estrogen or progesterone.

When to see a doctor

Most fibrocystic breast changes are normal. However, make an appointment with your doctor if:

• You find a new or persistent breast lump or area of prominent thickening or firmness of the breast tissue
• You have specific areas of continuous or worsening breast pain
• Breast changes persist after your period
• Your doctor evaluated a breast lump but now it seems to be bigger or otherwise changed