Fibrocystic breasts, also known as fibrocystic breast disease, is a benign (non-cancerous) condition in which the breast tissue becomes lumpy, tender, and sometimes painful. It is a common condition that affects many women at some point in their lives.

Fibrocystic breasts are caused by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle. The breast tissue responds to these changes by becoming denser and more lumpy. Symptoms of fibrocystic breasts may include breast pain, tenderness, swelling, and the development of small, fluid-filled sacs (cysts) in the breast tissue.

While fibrocystic breasts are not considered to be a serious medical condition, they can be uncomfortable and can cause anxiety for some women. Treatment for fibrocystic breasts may include over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or prescription medications to reduce breast pain and inflammation. In addition, wearing a supportive bra and reducing caffeine intake may help to alleviate symptoms.

Women with fibrocystic breasts should continue to have regular breast exams and mammograms as recommended by their healthcare provider to ensure early detection of any breast changes that may be a sign of breast cancer. While fibrocystic breasts do not increase the risk of breast cancer, it's important to be vigilant about breast health and report any changes in breast tissue to your healthcare provider.

The exact cause of fibrocystic breast changes isn't known, but experts suspect that reproductive hormones — especially estrogen — play a role.

Fluctuating hormone levels during the menstrual cycle can cause breast discomfort and areas of lumpy breast tissue that feel tender, sore and swollen. Fibrocystic breast changes tend to be more bothersome before your menstrual period and ease up after your period begins.

When examined under a microscope, fibrocystic breast tissue includes distinct components such as:

• Fluid-filled round or oval sacs (cysts)
• A prominence of scar-like fibrous tissue (fibrosis)
• Overgrowth of cells (hyperplasia) lining the milk ducts or milk-producing tissues (lobules) of the breast
• Enlarged breast lobules (adenosis)

If you don't experience symptoms, or your symptoms are mild, no treatment is needed for fibrocystic breasts. Severe pain or large, painful cysts associated with fibrocystic breasts may warrant treatment.

Treatment options for breast cysts include:

• Fine-needle aspiration. Your doctor uses a hair-thin needle to drain the fluid from the cyst. Removing fluid confirms that the lump is a breast cyst and, in effect, collapses it, relieving associated discomfort.
• Surgical excision. Rarely, surgery may be needed to remove a persistent cyst-like lump that doesn't resolve after repeated aspiration and careful monitoring or has features that concern your doctor during a clinical exam.

Examples of treatment options for breast pain include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or prescription medication
• Oral contraceptives, which lower the levels of cycle-related hormones linked to fibrocystic breast changes