This is the 13th episode of the i-Med Podcast, and I’m excited to share some news with you about it.

From the beginning we have worked to bring you interesting content in integrative medicine, and to share insight into the challenges in the research world in integrative care, so that as a member of the public, you can make more informed decisions about your healthcare. However, over the last year, we have had way more interest and feedback from clinicians, who are looking to advance their skills in a way that better supports their patients, and it has made it challenging to satisfy both groups of listeners.

Starting today, this podcast (The original i-Med podcast) will be focused on educating the public, continuing with the same high level of quality that I have focused on over the first year, but with topics that are more focused on public health care consumers.

I am happy to announce that we are launching the i-Med Research Hub online subscription content for practitioners, who can access our new subscriber only content for the i-Med podcast. You can learn more at our website imedresearchhub.com

The second half of today’s show also examines the treatment for cyclical breast pain or “mastalgia”. References are included below.

Enjoy, and I look forward to the future of the i-med podcasts.

Ader, D. N., South-Paul, J., Adera, T., & Deuster, P. A. (2001). Cyclical mastalgia: Prevalence and associated health and behavioral factors. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 22(2), 71–76.

Bharati, M. (2016). Comparing the Effects of Yoga & Oral Calcium Administration in Alleviating Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome in Medical Undergraduates. Journal of Caring Sciences, 5(3), 179–185. https://doi.org/10.15171/jcs.2016.019

Blommers, J., de Lange-De Klerk, E. S. m, Kuik, D. J., Bezemer, P. D., & Meijer, S. (2002). Evening primrose oil and fish oil for severe chronic mastalgia: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 187(5), 1389–1394.

Colak, T., Ipek, T., Kanik, A., Ogetman, Z., & Aydin, S. (2003). Efficacy of topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in mastalgia treatment. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 196(4), 525–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1072-7515(02)01893-8

Die, M. D. van, Burger, H. G., Teede, H. J., & Bone, K. M. (2013). Vitex agnus-castus Extracts for Female Reproductive Disorders: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. Planta Medica, 79(07), 562–575. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1327831

Hadi, M. S. A. A. (2000). Sports Brassiere: Is It a Solution for Mastalgia? The Breast Journal, 6(6), 407–409.

Halaska, M., Raus, K., Bĕles, P., Martan, A., & Paithner, K. G. (1998). [Treatment of cyclical mastodynia using an extract of Vitex agnus castus: Results of a double-blind comparison with a placebo]. Ceska Gynekologie, 63(5), 388–392.

Kataria, K., Dhar, A., Srivastava, A., Kumar, S., & Goyal, A. (2014). A Systematic Review of Current Understanding and Management of Mastalgia. The Indian Journal of Surgery, 76(3), 217–222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-013-0813-8

Kilicdag, E. B., Tarim, E., Bagis, T., Erkanli, S., Aslan, E., Ozsahin, K., & Kuscu, E. (2004). Fructus agni casti and bromocriptine for treatment of hyperprolactinemia and mastalgia. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics: The Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 85(3), 292–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2004.01.001

Mansel, R. E., & Dogliotti, L. (1990). European multicentre trial of bromocriptine in cyclical mastalgia. Lancet (London, England), 335(8683), 190–193.

Mirghafourvand, M., Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, S., Ahmadpour, P., & Javadzadeh, Y. (2016). Effects of Vitex agnus and Flaxseed on cyclic mastalgia: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 24(Supplement C), 90–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2015.12.009

Oksa, S., Luukkaala, T., & Mäenpää, J. (2006). Toremifene for premenstrual mastalgia: A randomised, placebo-controlled crossover study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 113(6), 713–718. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.00943.x

Preece, P. E., Richards, A. R., Owen, G. M., & Hughes, L. E. (1975). Mastalgia and total body water. British Medical Journal, 4(5995), 498–500.

Pruthi, S., Wahner-Roedler, D. L., Torkelson, C. J., Cha, S. S., Thicke, L. S., Hazelton, J. H., & Bauer, B. A. (2010). Vitamin E and evening primrose oil for management of cyclical mastalgia: A randomized pilot study. Alternative Medicine Review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic, 15(1), 59–67.

Rose, D. P., Boyar, A. P., Cohen, C., & Strong, L. E. (1987). Effect of a low-fat diet on hormone levels in women with cystic breast disease. I. Serum steroids and gonadotropins. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 78(4), 623–626.

Rosolowich, V., Saettler, E., Szuck, B., & BREAST DISEASE COMMITTEE. (2006). Mastalgia. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada: JOGC = Journal d’obstetrique et Gynecologie Du Canada: JOGC, 28(1), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1701-2163(16)32027-8

Schellenberg, R., Zimmermann, C., Drewe, J., Hoexter, G., & Zahner, C. (2012). Dose-dependent efficacy of the Vitex agnus castus extract Ze 440 in patients suffering from premenstrual syndrome. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, 19(14), 1325–1331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.08.006

Srivastava, A., Mansel, R. E., Arvind, N., Prasad, K., Dhar, A., & Chabra, A. (2007). Evidence-based management of Mastalgia: A meta-analysis of randomised trials. Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland), 16(5), 503–512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2007.03.003

Tavaf-Motamen, H., Ader, D. N., Browne, M. W., & Shriver, C. D. (1998). Clinical evaluation of mastalgia. Archives of Surgery (Chicago, Ill.: 1960), 133(2), 211–213; discussion 214.

Vaziri, F., Zamani Lari, M., Samsami Dehaghani, A., Salehi, M., Sadeghpour, H., Akbarzadeh, M., & Zare, N. (2014). Comparing the Effects of Dietary Flaxseed and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplement on Cyclical Mastalgia in Iranian Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. International Journal of Family Medicine, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/174532