Hi Karen,

It is not uncommon for non-lactating women to develop mastitis. There are 
several different kinds of mastitis that appear in non-lactating women. I 
suffered from chronic subareolar abscesses. I had a recurrent mastitis 
under the areola 14yrs after weaning. We treated it with antibiotics, 
normal course and when it returned the third time, I went onto long term 
antibiotic therapy. Long term therapy worked for about a year. But,I 
finally ended up in surgery; several infected sebaceous glands and some 
breast tissue were removed. I was hospitalized for a week and given 
massive doses of antibiotics. Glands tested positive for staph. The 
surgeon warned me that it may reoccur. That was 12 yrs ago and so far, so 
good.(knocking on wood!)

I had a friend who developed cystic mastitis. It traveled bilaterally 
through her ducts. She was very large breasted (size M) and had weaned her 
daughter 7yrs prior to this problem. Little abscesses would pop up 
anywhere, anytime. Her scheduled reduction surgery was postponed many 
times. The surgeon insisted that she be infection free for 6 mths prior to 
the surgery. It was a tough go for her; it took over two yrs before she 
was able to have her breast reduction.

‘Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book’ has information on non-lactating mastitis. 

It has been previously mentioned on LactNet that most of us “older” LCs 
can still express milk. My baby was weaned 20 yrs ago and I am sure that I 
could express enough to impress someone (but whom??). My right makes more 
than my left, it is the one I fondle the most when speaking of hand 
expression, breast compressions, massage…etc…


Ellen Penchuk, IBCLC, RLC

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