Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article

Breast Density and Volume Changes During the Menstrual Cycle

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Morphological changes
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Submitted   Apr 14, 2025
Published   Jun 24, 2025
Issue    Vol 6 No 1 (2024)
DOI   10.25082/AGPM.2024.01.003

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TeAyra Dillard
Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
Jasmine Jones
Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
Britney Bernard
Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
Rebecca Rudd
Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
Shaina Anderson
Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA

Abstract

This paper explores the dynamic changes in breast moisture content in relation to hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, emphasizing the role of estrogen and progesterone in influencing breast physiology. The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases—menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal—each of which elicits measurable variations in breast volume, density, and moisture due to hormone-driven tissue remodeling and fluid retention. Estrogen predominates in the follicular phase, promoting ductal proliferation and mild fluid accumulation, while the luteal phase is characterized by a significant rise in progesterone, resulting in marked stromal edema, increased glandular development, and heightened fluid retention. These hormonal changes are mediated through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and vasopressin pathways, which contribute to systemic and localized water retention, especially within breast tissue. The paper synthesizes hormonal biochemistry, breast anatomy, and biomechanical modeling to examine how these cyclic changes impact breast density and volume, with clinical implications for breast tenderness, mammographic sensitivity, and cancer screening. Imaging data and statistical analyses reveal a consistent pattern of increased breast density and volume during the luteal phase. Understanding these cyclical changes enhances the ability to anticipate breast-related symptoms, improve diagnostic timing, and personalize care, particularly for women with dense breast tissue or hormone-sensitive conditions.

Keywords
breast density changes, breast volume, breast development, estrogen during menstrual cycle, progesterone and menstrual cycle

Article Details

How to Cite
Dillard, T., Jones, J., Bernard, B., Rudd, R., Anderson, S., Foster, C., & Goswami, T. (2025). Breast Density and Volume Changes During the Menstrual Cycle. Advances in General Practice of Medicine, 6(1), 120-133. https://doi.org/10.25082/AGPM.2024.01.003
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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