Anyone else suffer with breast cysts?

[MidnightEagle]

I had an appointment at the breast clinic this week after finding a lump in my left breast. 2 days before the appt I found another one underneath the original. The clinic confirmed they were breast cysts and found some in both breasts. I asked the radiologist what do I do if I find more. She said if they feel like the other lumps if is reasonable to monitor them over a six week period to check for fluctuations in size as normally cysts shrink and swell. The original one I found is getting smaller but today I found another one above the original. Does anyone else suffer with these and have any tips for monitoring? They seem to be popping up fast. I have only noticed them over the last 6 weeks. I feel like I need to be checking everyday at the minute!

I was diagnosed with these last week. Was told to keep an eye out between mammograms as I was back to the bottom of the list now I hah had one, and "a lot can change in three years "

I’ve had a few, had to have a couple drained. They can be painful and a nuisance

Me too!

And I've been told now I've had a couple like that I may have more.

I was diagnosed with breast cysts in July - i was told mine are hormonal and related to breastfeeding. I’ve definitely felt mine shrink - I am a bit obsessed with checking :( I also take flaxseed daily which is supposed to help.

I was diagnosed with cystic breasts at the breast clinic; consultant said they see a lot more instances in women taking hrt. I have stopped hrt (wasn't really helping) and the cysts have gone.

I'm 42 do don't even qualify for regular mammogram

Thankfully so far they haven't been painful. The first and biggest I found wasn't sore at all. These other 2 newer ones are a bit tender to touch.

Yes same and another one has literally popped up in the last couple of days!!

Oh didn't know that about the flaxseed oil. Thanks! I've been taking evening primrose oil.

I'm not even on HRT but was told they are caused by hormones.

I have them and they normally appear behind my nipple so sorry if tmi but get green discharge. They are painful and vary in size. If small they leave them. I have had them drained twice at the breast clinic. They didn't give me any tips how to stop it happening but I do also get ovarian cysts so don't know if it's connected. I'm in my early 40's and they started in my mid 30's.

Hormones for me too and I'm a few years older than you but not on HRT or anything

Thank you. I'm 42. Yes seems to be common in the 35-50 age bracket. They didn't drain any of mine but did say I could go back if they started getting painful.

Thank you. Glad to hear I'm not the only one not on HRT getting them. Seems to be a connection with perimenopause too!

I'm menopausal and have been getting them for past 4/5 years and have had several drained.

I'm not and never have been on HRT so I think it is to do with hormonal changes generally.

Yes, had 2 huge ones drained earlier this year. About 15mls out of each one. I can feel half a dozen pea sized ones in my right book still, too small to drain. Not on hrt, I have a copper coil, definitely perimenopausal. I have just started evening primrose oil tablets, hoping that may lessen them. They're uncomfortable and feel horrible, like a bag of marbles.

I've been taking evening primrose oil too. Someone above suggested flaxseed oil.

Oh. I've had these for years and years. I go about once a year and have the biggies drained. I leave the smaller ones alone.

One was as big as a golf ball once!

I'm not old enough for mammograms either but every time I have a referral to the breast clinic I have an ultrasound and mammogram as part of the process

Big tip! Ask to be aspirated (drained) before any mammogram. It's so much less painful if you have the big ones drained.

Last draining they had to use 3 syringes in one breast (over 100 MILs of fluid) and in the other 2 syringes.

I love getting the drained. Makes me feel so much better.

Once they got infected (don't know how) and I had to take antibiotics.

Don't worry about it. Some women have cysts. It does mean you need to be careful about breast checks and being aware of any other symptoms though.

I was told they'd go away when I hit menopause.

I think I'm probably what's called oestrogen dominant and that leads to these cysts. I've definitely had a drop off of oestrogen lately (so much MSK pain) and am now on HRT. the HRT is helping with the MSK pain, and no sign of increase in cysts.

I'm a cysty person. Had ovarian cysts and my hairdresser told me I have cysts on my scalp too! Hey, I sound attractive don't I?

Yes I have this and have had since puberty. My breasts are very "knotty". I've never had to have them drained as of yet but rarely bother to get them seen to.

Worse around pre menstrual time. I've had some really sore ones behind the nipple (feel horribly achy and get sharp shooting pains through the area)

Also have a fibroadenoma. I've also had cysts on the ovaries. Think I'm just one of those people.

I'm kind of used to it. The only thing it affects is I absolutely hate my breasts or nipples being touched (if you get my drift) it makes me wince. They're always verging on sore/tender.

Draining them helped stop the pain straight away but my cysts come back quickly unfortunately. I was told they should go after the menopause. My sister gets them as well and is a few years older and going through the menopause so we shall see.

The newer mammogram machines picked mine up a few years ago. Several about the size of a grain of rice, totally unnoticeable to me. However based on the protocol where I live, 6 mthly ultrasounds plus annual mammo for two years…

Is that due to the cysts alone or other factors such as family history?
I won't qualify for mammograms for another 8 years.

Cysts alone, zero family history.
I did not find the investigations reassuring, since I had zero knowledge of the cysts.

Yes weird. Mine are so big they feel like grapes but not been offered any extra checks.

Me apparently!
After finding a lump earlier this year and having a minor meltdown, mammogram and ultra sound showed it to be a cyst. But they also found a much, much bigger cyst in my other breast that I couldn’t even feel! I’ve got the hang of it now, they become much more noticeable and painful depending on where I am in my completely irregular cycle (thanks peri - such a laugh 🤦‍♀️). At other times, they disappear and i can’t feel them.