| mastalgia | <symptom> General term for breast pain, affecting two thirds of women attending breast clinics. Usually indicates benign problem, often oversensitivity of breast tissue to reproductive hormones. Most women respond to treatment with gamolenic acid (derived from the evening primrose and starflower plants), which takes up to three months to have any effect and may not give relief for more than two years. In more severe cases, synthetic steriods may help. The use of a tailor-made support bra can be of help. (05 Jan 1998) |
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