[Mastodynia and fibrocystic disease of the breast. Perspectives and methods of medical treatment].

Mastodynia, which means painful breast, is part of the larger syndrome of premenstrual tension (PMS). It presents as a mammary dysplasia which is cyclical or as fibro-cystic disease of the breast. Numerous treatments have been advocated, all more or less founded on theories of the aetiology and pathology that have not yet been proven. This article tries to clarify the physio-pathological bases and the efficacy of the various therapeutic regimes which have been applied and the mechanism by which they act.