All About Fibrocystic Breast Changes

3. Causes of Fibrocystic Breast Changes

Researchers do not know what causes fibrocystic breast changes, but they believe fluctuating hormones, especially estrogen, during a woman's menstrual cycle play a significant role. As mentioned earlier, symptoms associated with fibrocystic breasts tend to be worst right before menstruation and disappear or lessen as soon as the period begins. Fibrocystic breasts contain certain characteristics when viewed under a microscope. They contain round or oval fluid-filled cysts, prominent scar-like tissue, and enlarged breast lobules, as well as an overgrowth of cells lining the milk-producing tissues or milk ducts.