I have dense, fibrocystic breasts, as I know many of you also do. It's great if you want a perky post-pregnancy pair, but not so great when you start the mammogram dance of suspicious lumps and bumps that tend to come and go on a monthly basis. When I went off of hormonal birth control in my 40's my body did what female bodies naturally do--it cycled, and with those cycles came periods of intense swelling and pain for two weeks out of every month.
After my own doctor didn't offer much help besides the offer of putting me back on the pill, I consulted Dr. Google and started trying different supplements: iodine, Vitex, maca, and clary sage, to name a few. I also tried limiting salt and drinking decaf (that didn't last long--do you want the sore jugs or the Dragon Lady, really?!?) There were many a night when all I could do was take a couple of ibuprofen and cuddle up with my favorite ice pack. Nowhere did I read anything about what my diet did to my hormones besides demonizing caffeine and suggesting that Big Macs were probably not the healthiest thing I could be eating. Shocker, I know.
During this time it became very difficult to schedule my yearly mammograms. I never really knew when to expect the soreness so I just gave up on trying to plan around it. One particular mammogram, besides being quite painful, showed that I had a couple of suspicious areas, which lead to another (3D) mammo, which lead to an ultrasound, which lead to an MRI. Thousands of dollars and a few high-stress months later, I managed to get a test with my breasts at their normal size and I was given a clean bill of health.
Then something interesting happened. I was trying to lose a few pounds that had been creeping up on me, so I stopped eating sugar and most grains. Instead of waiting anxiously for my period to arrive and give me a break from the swelling shelf I was carrying, it snuck up on me with no pain, and very few other PMS symptoms. I kept it up and noticed the same thing happened the next month. However, the following month included Thanksgiving with a week-long feast of mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, pumpkin pie, and lots of wine. Boom! Back came the ballooning bongos, the ice packs, and the supportive super-bras. The next month (Christmas cookies, anyone?) wasn't any better, but it was enough to convince me that there was a definite correlation.
I wish I could tell you that I never eat sugar anymore and that my hormones are completely balanced, but that would be a lie. It's a constant struggle, but at least I've figured out the consequences, and that makes it easier to put down the cupcake. When I have a dessert or a glass or two of wine, I will inevitably wake up with night sweats and a headache, and if I let it go on for a day or two, I will probably experience the bra-busting symptoms I've tried to avoid. In the women's groups I am a part of I hear story after story of women who have reversed their menopausal, pre-menstrual, and PCOS symptoms by watching what they eat, as well.
I certainly can't give you medical advice, and I encourage you to consult your doctor if you have any concerns about your breasts, PCOS, or other hormonal issues. There is no harm, however in eliminating sugar and highly-processed grains from your diet, so the way I see it, it's worth a try.
Virtual hugs, friends!
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