PREVALENCE AND IMPACT OF CYCLIC MASTALGIA IN A UNITED-STATES CLINIC-BASED SAMPLE

OBJECTIVES: A descriptive study was conducted to examine the prevalenc e of premenstrual breast symptoms, the impact of cyclic mastalgia on v arious activities, and associated patterns of health care utilization. STUDY DESIGN: Patients at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic (n = 11 71) completed a questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-nine percent of women re ported regular premenstrual discomfort; 36% had consulted a health car e provider about the symptoms. Current moderate-to-severe cyclic masta lgia was found in 11%. Women <36 years old with cyclic mastalgia were 4.7 times as likely as asymptomatic young women to have had a mammogra m. Mastalgia interferes with usual sexual activity in 48% of women and with physical (37%), social (12%), and work or school (8%) activity. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclic mastalgia is a common problem, sometimes severe en ough to interfere with usual activities, and it is associated with hig h use of mammography among young women. Largely ignored both scientifi cally and clinically in the United States, this disorder merits furthe r biopsychosocial investigation.