Mammary gland diseases in the postpartum period and management - Part 3

The article was written by Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Dinh Toi - Obstetrics Department - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

Mastitis is one of the most common breast diseases in the postpartum period, especially in women who often have blocked milk ducts. This is a dangerous disease that, if not detected and treated early, will cause many serious complications.

Postpartum mastitis occurs in about 2 to 10% of breastfeeding women.
Postpartum mastitis is the result of prolonged stagnant milk. Normal milk is not a sterile suspension. These bacteria belong to the resident flora, invading upstream into the milk ducts. However, they are inhibited by bacteriostatic factors in milk. When milk is stagnant, the inhibitory capacity decreases, making bacteria more likely to cause disease. The causes of milk stasis are therefore risk factors for mastitis.

The initial symptoms are due to local stasis, localized to one area of ​​the mammary gland, accompanied by signs of inflammatory syndrome (swelling, heat, redness, pain) in the diseased breast.
If symptoms persist for more than 12-24 hours, a superinfection leading to infective mastitis may occur. At that time, the symptoms become more obvious: fever > 380C, decreased lactation, systemic symptoms such as (fatigue, muscle pain, chills,...).

For mild mastitis (non-infectious mastitis)
Symptomatic treatment: reduce swelling and pain with NSAIDs and cold compresses; Empty the udder: Continue breastfeeding, express milk. When mastitis lasts more than 12-24 hours with high fever: Use more antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus. If clinical improvement does not occur within 48-72 hours, ultrasound should be performed to detect breast abscess.
Consider antibiotics in mastitis: 10-14 duration of treatment may reduce the risk of recurrence. However, a shorter course (5-7 days) can be used in cases of rapid and complete response.

When you have symptoms of blocked milk ducts, you should immediately go to a reputable medical facility to be examined and unblocked milk ducts soon, avoiding long-term causes of breast abscess, very dangerous mastitis. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinmec International General Hospital has successfully received and treated many cases of mastitis in the postpartum period or postpartum mammary gland diseases. A team of highly trained, experienced and highly qualified medical professionals helps diagnose and provide an accurate and effective treatment regimen. Modern and advanced equipment, new generation ultrasound, MRI and CT systems help doctors detect diseases accurately.
If you have a need to examine and treat breast diseases at Vinmec, please book an appointment directly at the website or contact the hotline for detailed advice.