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Sports Bra Preferences by Age and Impact of Breast Size on Physical Activity among American Females.International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2021For many females, sports bras are an essential piece of equipment for participation in sports and physical activity. Breast pain or discomfort from lack of support may...
For many females, sports bras are an essential piece of equipment for participation in sports and physical activity. Breast pain or discomfort from lack of support may be a contributing factor to the noted gender disparity in physical activity of females compared to males. Our objective was to evaluate sports bra usage and characterize sports bra preferences of an active female cohort. This multicenter cross-sectional survey study was conducted at five geographically distinct academic centers. Our measure was administered during outpatient sports medicine clinic visits to females aged 11-64 years old. Chi-square tests were used to compare characteristics across subgroups. Our analysis consisted of 438 respondents, with a mean age of 22 ± 12.2 years. More than a quarter (27.4%) reported lack of breast support prevented them from being active or exercising. Age ( = 0.03), breast size ( < 0.0001), and household income ( = 0.01) were significantly associated with greater frequency of physical activity being limited by lack of breast support. Lack of breast support may be an important barrier for young females of specific populations to meeting physical activity recommendations. Further research is needed to improve the understanding of this important piece of sporting equipment for women.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Breast; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Female; Humans; Mastodynia; Middle Aged; Sports; Young Adult
PubMed: 34886465
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312732 -
Clinical Imaging Feb 2022To investigate the utility of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in the evaluation of focal breast pain, considering breast density and breast cancer risk.
RATIONAL AND OBJECTIVE
To investigate the utility of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in the evaluation of focal breast pain, considering breast density and breast cancer risk.
METHODS
Ninety-one cases of focal breast pain evaluated with DBT and ultrasound (US) from 12/30/2014 to 11/9/2017 with 2-year follow-up were identified. Exclusion criteria were non-focal, axillary, or radiating pain; palpable or skin changes; pregnancy or lactation; and history of ipsilateral cancer, trauma, or infection. Demographic data, Tyrer-Cuzick Score (TCS), medical history, breast density, imaging results, and pathology were recorded. Descriptive statistics were reported.
RESULTS
Eighteen percent (16/91) of cases demonstrated findings, all benign. Of these, 6% (1/16) were detected by DBT only, 88% (14/16) by US only, and 6% (1/16) by DBT and US. US resulted in 3 benign biopsies. Ninety-nine percent (75/76) of cases with no findings at the site of pain on US also had no findings on DBT. Ninety-eight percent (89/91) of cases with no cancer detected at the site of pain on US also did not have cancer on DBT. DBT detected 2 incidental cancers not associated with pain. DBT and US agreed that there was no finding at the site of pain in 82% (75/91) of cases. A high degree of agreement between DBT and US was seen when stratified by breast density and TCS.
CONCLUSION
DBT may be appropriate for the evaluation of focal pain. Low breast cancer incidence was observed at the site of focal pain across all mammographic breast densities and breast cancer risks.
Topics: Breast; Breast Density; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Mammography; Mastodynia; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34798561
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.11.003 -
International Breastfeeding Journal Oct 2021Despite numerous benefits, many mothers stop breastfeeding soon after birth. A common reason for this is the experience of pain or discomfort. One resource which women...
BACKGROUND
Despite numerous benefits, many mothers stop breastfeeding soon after birth. A common reason for this is the experience of pain or discomfort. One resource which women use to share their breastfeeding challenges and seek support are online forums. This study aimed to collect data from online forums to explore 1) usage of forums as social support for breastfeeding-related pain; 2) experiences of breastfeeding-related pain; 3) perceptions and strategies to deal with breastfeeding-related pain; and 4) the impact of pain on breastfeeding duration.
METHODS
Data was gathered through searches of online forums based in the UK and USA: Netmums, What to Expect and Mumsnet using key terms: 'painful breastfeeding' and 'sore breastfeeding'. Data extraction took place in July 2018 and included posts made between 2012 and 2018. Data included 123 posts and 193 replies, analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS
The first theme identified was 'variation in types of pain', highlighting the variety of painful experiences and their descriptions. In particular, this theme reveals the large variety of different types of pain women experience at different stages throughout their breastfeeding journey, as well as the different pain characteristic they focus on in the description of their experience (i.e., location, sensory or physical aspects). Secondly, the theme 'perceived causes and explanations for pain' revealed how women interpret pain experiences either due to a recognised condition or behavioural cause. The third theme 'cessation of breastfeeding related to pain' identified. How women experience both physical and psychological struggles (e.g., guilt) related to breastfeeding cessation, with pain being a main factor in considering cessation of breastfeeding. Finally, the theme 'shared experiences and support' identified women's strong need for both practical and emotional support to deal with pain. Many women look for this support through the knowledge exchange offered on the online forums.
CONCLUSIONS
Pain was a key reason for breastfeeding cessation, commonly associated with strong feelings of guilt. The online forums provide a unique form of social support for breastfeeding women to find ways to cope with the pain, while highlighting the urgent need for more appropriate antenatal education on realistic expectation surrounding breastfeeding.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Mastodynia; Mothers; Pain Perception; Pregnancy; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 34663383
DOI: 10.1186/s13006-021-00426-9 -
JBI Evidence Implementation Jan 2021Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to ensure healthy growth and development of an infant. Nipple pain and trauma are common complications associated with...
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS
Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to ensure healthy growth and development of an infant. Nipple pain and trauma are common complications associated with breastfeeding, which render it difficult for the mother to continue breastfeeding. The aim of this project was to promote evidence-based practice in the management of nipple pain or trauma for breastfeeding mothers in a large tertiary hospital in China.
METHODS
The project was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework and Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System. Six audit criteria were applied in baseline and follow-up audits to assess compliance in practice with best practice recommendations. The Getting Research into Practice tool was used to help analyze barriers to the fulfillment of each audit criterion based on the baseline audit results. Implementation strategies were discussed and then undertaken to overcome the barriers and bring changes to the current practice.
RESULTS
The baseline audit results demonstrated poor compliance in nipple pain or trauma management practice with all of the six criteria. Significant improvements were achieved in the follow-up audit. Specifically, the compliance rate increased from 15 to 100% for criterion 1 and from 2 to 93% for criterion 2. For criteria 3, 4, 5 and 6, the compliance rate increased from 0 to 90, 85, 100 and 86%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The current evidence-based implementation project was successfully conducted and achieved great improvement in the management of nipple pain or trauma associated with breastfeeding. Continuous effort is required to maintain changes and further improve practice.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Mastodynia; Mothers; Nipples; Tertiary Care Centers
PubMed: 34491923
DOI: 10.1097/XEB.0000000000000272 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Sep 2021There are many diagnoses in the field of gynecology that can severely impact the lives of patients and that are associated with an increased risk of developing...
BACKGROUND
There are many diagnoses in the field of gynecology that can severely impact the lives of patients and that are associated with an increased risk of developing depression. The goal of this study was to investigate which gynecological diagnoses are associated with depression.
METHODS
This retrospective case-control study based on the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) included 5893 women aged 18 years or older with depression and 5893 age-matched pairs followed in 256 gynecological practices in 2019 (index date). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to study the association between 33 pre-defined diagnoses documented within five years prior to the index date and depression diagnosis.
RESULTS
In total, 9 diseases were significantly associated with diagnosis of depression. The strongest association was observed for breast cancer (Odds Ratio (OR: 2.11 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.76-2.52)), followed by female infertility (OR: 1.91 (95% CI: 1.48-2.47)), cancer of female genital organs excl. breast (OR: 1.87 (95% CI: 1.32-2.66)), and sexual dysfunction (OR: 1.63 (95% CI: 1.27-2.09). Other diseases that showed a significant association with depression included endometriosis, mastodynia, candidiasis, infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission, and urinary incontinence. Patients with a higher number of different disorders were more likely to be diagnosed with depression (ORs from 1.40 for two disorders to 2.38 for >6 disorders as compared to no disorders).
CONCLUSION
A wide range of diseases documented in gynecologists' practices were associated with depression diagnosis. Understanding all of these associations may help gynecologists to refer women promptly to psychologists or psychiatrists who may help to manage depression in this population.
Topics: Case-Control Studies; Depression; Female; Germany; Gynecology; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 34304041
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.018 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2021Mastalgia, or breast pain, is common among women which can lead to significant impairment in daily living. Hence, finding an effective treatment that can alleviate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mastalgia, or breast pain, is common among women which can lead to significant impairment in daily living. Hence, finding an effective treatment that can alleviate the symptom is very important. Thus, we carry out this study to determine the efficacy of evening primrose oil (EPO) for mastalgia treatment in women. The review included published randomised clinical trials that evaluated EPO used for treating mastalgia against a placebo or other treatments, irrespective of the blinding procedure, publication status, or sample size. Two independent authors screened the titles and abstracts of the identified trials; full texts of relevant trials were evaluated for eligibility. Two reviewers independently extracted data on the methods, interventions, outcomes, and risk of bias. The random-effects model was used for estimating the risk ratios and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Thirteen trials with 1752 randomised patients were included. The results showed that EPO has no difference to reduce breast pain compared to topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E. The number of patients who achieved pain relief was no different compared to the placebo or other treatments. The EPO does not increase adverse events, such as nausea, abdominal bloating, headache or giddiness, increase weight gain, and altered taste compared to a placebo or other treatments. EPO is a safe medication with similar efficacy for pain control in women with mastalgia compared to a placebo, topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E.
Topics: Female; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Mastodynia; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; gamma-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 34200727
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126295 -
Journal of Complementary & Integrative... Dec 2022Cyclic mastalgia is one of the most prevalent problems in women of reproductive age and sometimes it is so severe that it influences their activities and requires... (Review)
Review
Cyclic mastalgia is one of the most prevalent problems in women of reproductive age and sometimes it is so severe that it influences their activities and requires treatment. The available drug treatments for mastalgia are not satisfactory and most patients have inclined towards complementary and alternative medicine including herbal medicines. Therefore, in order to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of herbal medicines conducting systematic review studies and meta-analysis seems essential, thus this systematic review was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of herbal medicines on cyclic mastalgia and its probable side effects. The databases of Pubmed, Medline, Embase, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of science, Complementary Medicine Database, SID (Scientific information database), Magiran and Iranmedex were searched from 1997 to 2020 and limited only for English and Persian languages. The studies were appraised according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan software. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated to assess an overall estimate of effectiveness for the continuous data. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated for dichotomous data. Thirty papers were included in the study. Meta-analysis of data demonstrated that herbal medicine was an effective method in reducing the severity of mastalgia compared to the placebo (SMD: -3.26, 95% CI: -5.05 to -1.46, p=0.00004). Subanalysis of data showed no difference between the effectiveness of herbal medicine on the severity of mastalgia compared to the pharmacologic treatment. This research demonstrated efficacy of herbal medicines in alleviating cyclic mastalgia. Therefore, these herbal medicines can be regarded as an alternative treatment for women suffering from cyclic mastalgia. However, due to the limited number of studies in relation to each specific herbal treatment, conducting further studies in this area is recommended.
PubMed: 34107571
DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0531 -
Asian Nursing Research Aug 2021This study aimed to describe the clinical response to five-step systematic therapy (FSST) in the management of plugged ducts and mastitis. FSST was a comprehensive milk...
PURPOSE
This study aimed to describe the clinical response to five-step systematic therapy (FSST) in the management of plugged ducts and mastitis. FSST was a comprehensive milk stasis dredging treatment, which contained five steps to make the milk out of the plugged duct.
METHODS
This retrospective study included 922 breastfeeding women, 714 with plugged ducts, and 208 with mastitis who received FSST from June to September 2017. The breast pain score, swelling degree, and range of breast induration were recorded pre-FSST and post-FSST.
RESULTS
After a single FSST, pain score and swelling degree were significantly improved (both p < .001) in all cases. After FSST, the mean breast pain relief score was 1.69 ± 0.70, whereas the mean swelling fade away degree was 1.61 ± 0.62. In the subgroup analysis, pain score and swelling degree were significantly improved (both p < .001) in the plugged ducts group and the mastitis group. The score of pain relief in the plugged ducts group was less than that in the mastitis group (1.63 ± 0.68 vs. 1.91 ± 0.70, t = 5.30; p < .001), whereas improvement of swelling fade away was greater in the plugged ducts group than the mastitis group (1.65 ± 0.64 vs. 1.48 ± 0.56, t = 3.49; p = .001). The composition ratio of changes in induration range between the two groups was statistically different (Pearson χ = 137.87, p < .001), of which more obvious improvement in the plugged ducts group than the mastitis group (χ = 25.65, p < .001).
CONCLUSION
FSST can relieve pain, reduce breast swelling and range of induration, and for plugged ducts or mastitis varied degree differently.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Breast Diseases; Breast Feeding; Breast Milk Expression; Cryotherapy; Female; Humans; Laser Therapy; Massage; Mastitis; Mastodynia; Mortality; Patient Education as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 34048977
DOI: 10.1016/j.anr.2021.04.001 -
Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung Mar 2022This study aimed to assess the sleep quality of patients with the complaint of non-cyclical breast pain (NCBP), compare them to a healthy control group, and analyze the...
PURPOSE
This study aimed to assess the sleep quality of patients with the complaint of non-cyclical breast pain (NCBP), compare them to a healthy control group, and analyze the interrelationship of sleep quality with pain, anxiety, depression, and quality of life.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted in consecutive women presenting to the general surgery clinic between May 2020 and December 2020. Patients diagnosed with NCBP formed one group for study and 44 receiving routine well-woman care formed the control group. Evaluations were undertaken using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
RESULTS
Of 160 consecutive patients, 116 were diagnosed with NCBP and 44 controls. Poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was present in 59% (n = 69) of the women with NCBP and 38% (n = 17) of the controls (p = 0.018). According to PSQI global score, overall sleep quality was significantly lower in the NCBP group compared to the control group (p < 0.007). Sleep latency, sleep duration, and daytime dysfunction were the major components determining the PSQI global score (p = 0.004, p = 0.004, and p < 0.001, respectively). The correlation matrix revealed a statistically significant correlation between the HAD-A, HAD-D, and SF-MSQ and NHP subgroups and PSQI global score in the NCBP group (p < 0.001) whereas this significant correlation was detected with only the NHP subgroups among the controls.
CONCLUSIONS
A considerable proportion of NCBP patients, regardless of sensory or affective characteristics and trajectory of pain, experience significant sleep disturbances. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the existence of central sensitization syndrome in NCBP patients to determine the required pharmacological treatment.
Topics: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dyssomnias; Female; Humans; Mastodynia; Sleep Quality
PubMed: 34036447
DOI: 10.1007/s11325-021-02407-y -
Breast Care (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2021Adolescence is accompanied by a variety of changes in young breast development, which greatly affects the adolescent's psychology and socialization. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Adolescence is accompanied by a variety of changes in young breast development, which greatly affects the adolescent's psychology and socialization.
SUMMARY
PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies relative to epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and management of all breast disorders in adolescence and their consequences. Development disorders are breast asymmetry, breast atrophy, breast hypoplasia, hypomastia, juvenile breast hypertrophy, and tuberous breast. Breast congenital abnormalities include athelia, amastia, accessory breast tissue, polymastia, polythelia, and congenital disorders of nipples. Breast infections are commonly caused from Gram-positive coccus rather than Gram-negative bacteria. Breast abscess occurs when breast infections are not promptly treated. Nipple discharge is caused by a variety of conditions and should be managed carefully. Fibrocystic changes, cysts, and fibroadenomas are the most common benign masses in adolescence. Primary, secondary, or metastatic breast cancer is extremely rare in adolescence. However, clinicians should include breast cancer in the differential diagnosis of a breast mass in adolescence.
KEY MESSAGES
Clinicians should be aware of all breast disorders that may occur in adolescence. Early diagnosis and treatment will result in the reassurance of adolescents and their families without any detrimental effect on their psychology, sexual behavior, and socialization. Adolescents with breast disorders may require a multidisciplinary approach by a pediatrician, a gynecologist specializing in pediatric-adolescent gynecology, a plastic surgeon, and a psychologist for the best management of breast disorders.
PubMed: 34012369
DOI: 10.1159/000511924