Mammary

Mammary the scientific name for the breasts. They are composed of fatty tissue and glands capable of producing milk. At the center of the breast the milk glands fuse into a single outlet, the nipple. The growth of the breast largely depend on production of female hormone. The female breast is usually much larger during pregnancy, because of heightened production of female hormone and increased production of milk glands. The nursing process after childbirth depends upon the pituitary which help produce actively secreting glandular structures. Generally milks begins to flow within a few days of birth, though it may begin sooner. At first, the milk, yellowish and cheesy, is a protein rich substance known as colostrum. Finally this gives way to true milk, a thin bluish white secretion.

The size and shape of the woman's breasts depend on fatty tissue rather than glands. It is not uncommon for one breast to be slightly larger than the other, but this difference in size is no indication that the breasts and their functioning are not normal. These glands are both internal and external in their secretion. There is a intimate relationship between these glands and the corpus luteum (a small yellow area in an ovary found at the site where an egg is formed and burst from the gland). At the time of menstrual period they can enlarge and become tender. The injection of corpus luteum, on the other hand, causes hypertrophy ( increase in the size of an organ) of the mammary glands. The size of these glands has no relation to the menstrual function nor to the amount of glandular secretory tissue, as many large glands are mostly fat.

There is a close relationship between the uterus and these glands. When a new-born child is put to the breast, uterine contractions occur. By prolonging lactation, women prolong the time of amenorrhea (failure of menstruation).

The hormone of the mammary glands has a decided action on the blood supply of the pelvic organs as well as neutralizing ovarian function. Lack of production of this hormone may result in profuse menstruation in young girls. It may also be contributory to periods lasting longer, or occurring too frequently, e.g. every two or three weeks.

It is said to have some effect on uterine fibroids (benign tumor composed of fibrous and muscle tissue) with menorrhagia (excessive bleeding during menstruation) and metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding between menstrual periods). Proper function will relieve mastodynia (pain in the breasts seen mostly before the onset of menstrual periods and associated with lumps in he breasts).

Some women, in an effort to preserve breasts from sagging, have been led to believe that special exercise or massage will correct this condition. There is no indication that either exercise or massaging will have the desired effect. Sagging may be due to fluctuations in weight which have tendency to weaken the ligaments supporting the breasts. However there are those who believe that if the ligaments that support the breasts are weakened in some way, strengthening these ligaments through proper exercise will in effect correct as least to some degree the sagging of the breasts.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food And Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References: Medical and Health Encyclopedia volume 2 pages 295-299, Endocrine, Organs And Their Impact page 43, Blackwood Materia Medica, p. 294-295.