Treatment of benign breast disease with danazol: a follow-up report

One hundred thirty-five women with benign breast disease (BBD) were treated with danazol, an impeded androgen. Their ages ranged from 19 to 60 years (mean age, 30). The dose varied from 100 to 800 mg per day for 90 to 180 days, depending upon the severity of the disorder. Overall relief of pain was observed in 97% and of tenderness in 90.5%. There was complete or marked improvement of nodosities in 73%. Seventy-eight patients were followed every six months for two to four years. The recurrent symptoms were pain in 6%, tenderness in 6% and nodosities in 10%. Incidentally, we found that 29.3% of infertile women with BBD conceived within 24 months after cessation of a course of therapy. The side effects, when present, were trivial.