As per the findings of an ambispective cohort study, cyclical mastalgia can be effectively tackled using first-line treatments such as reassurance, physical assistance, flax seeds, and NSAIDs (topical and oral). For those who do not respond to these measures, Tamoxifen or Centchroman therapy can be deemed as safe alternatives. This study by Kamal Kataria et al aimed to assess the effectiveness of medical therapy in relieving cyclical mastalgia.

The study encompassed women over 14 years old experiencing moderate to severe cyclical breast pain, with a pain score of 5 or higher on a visual analog scale (VAS). These patients were treated with medications and followed up for a year. Therapeutic success was characterized as a drop in pain severity to below 3 on the scale. The analysis involved 100 patients suffering from cyclical mastalgia. Initially, the average pain score was 6.5, ranging from 5 to 9. Following 12 months of therapy with various methods, the mean pain score dropped to 0.5, with 96% of subjects showing improvement.

However, a few patients experienced side effects from the medications. For instance, among those managed with Centchroman, 8 out of 31 reported issues like menstrual irregularities and excessive bleeding. Similarly, a few patients taking Danazol experienced side effects like nausea/vomiting, hot flashes, too much hair growth, and menstrual irregularities. A few patients discontinued treatment owing to adverse effects like nausea/vomiting, excessive hair growth, and acne.