What are Ovarian Cysts?
Ovarian Cysts are small sac-like structures or blisters that form within an ovary. The functional cysts are generally filled with fluids and surrounded by a thin wall. The cysts can be cancerous in case they are filled with solid matter. This gynecologic problem is more common in women during their reproductive years as compared to postmenopausal women.
The condition is usually not malignant and tends to heal on its own within weeks or few months. Nonetheless, Ovarian Cysts should not be ignored but accurately diagnosed and treated thereafter, especially when cysts are too painful and large in size.
Home remedies for Ovarian Cysts natural treatment have been found highly beneficial in dealing with this condition. Certain homeopathic medicines are also considered valuable in this regard. However, cysts larger than 5 cm in diameter may require surgical treatment for removal.
Causes of Ovarian Cysts
Cyst-like structures or ovarian follicles are normally formed in ovaries during ovulation. When the follicles grow larger than normal, they are termed as Follicular Cysts. Such functional cysts usually appear in the first half of menstrual cycle.
Another type of functional Ovarian Cysts named Corpus Luteum Cysts can appear in the second half of the cycle. They generally do not produce any significant symptoms and are formed on only one side of an ovary.
Other more serious kinds of Ovarian Cysts include Dermoid Cysts, Endometrioid Cysts, Cystadenoma Cysts etc. Dermoid Cysts containing growths of body tissues like fat, hair or even bones are more common in younger females. Endometrioid Cysts also known as Chocolate Cysts, on the other hand, are formed when endometrial tissue is present on the ovaries.
Moreover, certain hormonal problems may cause Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which is characterized by the presence of multiple small cysts around both the ovaries. Besides, factors like stress and liver problems tend to aggravate the problem of Ovarian Cysts. It is believed that intake of birth control pills tends to reduce the chances of developing Ovarian Cysts as they prevent the ovaries from producing eggs during ovulation.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts
Simple Ovarian Cysts may not cause any significant symptoms. However, certain women suffering from Ovarian Cysts may develop symptoms like sense of fullness, heaviness or bloating in the abdomen, continuous or intermittent dull, aching lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, pain during bowel movement, inflammation (often due to ovarian torsion), irregular menstruation, unusually painful periods, spotting, weight gain, nausea, vomiting etc.
Certain types of Ovarian Cysts like Endometrioid Cysts and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) may also give rise to fertility related problems.
Natural Home Remedies for Ovarian Cysts
• Herbs like Milk Thistle, Dandelion, Red Clover, Chasteberry, Wild Yam, Echinacea, Black Cohosh etc are regarded as the most effective home remedies for Ovarian Cysts. However, this Ovarian Cysts home treatment with herbs usually takes at least six weeks to heal the problem. It is advisable to take these natural remedies after consulting a naturopath for proper guidance.
• Herbal home remedies for Ovarian Cysts taken in the form of tea, tincture, capsules etc are often used along with Bach Flower Remedies including honeysuckle, walnut, red chestnut and wild oats.
• The use of castor oil pack is another popular natural cure for Ovarian Cysts as it helps dissolve the cysts. Although, this castor oil home remedy for Ovarian Cysts should not be followed during pregnancy, menstruation and in case of cancerous cysts.
• Yoga and aromatherapy serve as excellent Ovarian Cysts home remedies. These alternative therapies are useful in improving hormonal imbalance and easing the pain.
For instance, massaging the abdominal area with a combination of two drops of Jasmine Essential Oil, one teaspoon of Sweet Almond Oil and three drops each of Geranium Essential Oil and Sage Essential Oil can help provide considerable relief from this problem. Yoga also
• Taking warm water baths and using hot packs on the abdominal area can help in dealing with the pain associated with this condition.
Diet for Ovarian Cysts
A healthy and balanced diet can help a great deal in dealing with Ovarian Cysts. Vitamin B and vitamin E, in particular, are highly beneficial in controlling the production of hormones, thereby avoiding Ovarian Cysts as well. Therefore, the diet should include judicious amounts of fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains etc.
In addition, adequate intake of water is also recommended. Women suffering from the condition should focus on the inclusion of high fiber foods in the diet in order to reduce symptoms relating to abdominal discomfort caused by constipation. Diuretic foods like parsley, watercress etc are useful in reducing inflammation.
Moreover, on the basis of their research, certain scientists believe that consumption of red meat and cheese products tends to increase the risk of developing this disease. Consumption of tomatoes and dairy products should also be reduced because they are considered as estrogen-rich foods.
Apart from following the natural home remedies for Ovarian Cysts, affected women should also try to reduce the consumption of carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates.
I do really agree with this article. I’m really into natural treatments. For me, if there’s another way to heal without the surgery i’m into that. I believe there’s a lot of women who had gone through ovarian cyst and they used natural treatments. Thank you for posting then for all the natural remedies.
Need help for relieving pain and have inustqoes (ovarian cyst/cancer/treatment)?For the last week or two I’ve had on and off type pain and it bothers me every day and is sometimes very sharp. I heard that most cysts go away by themselves (mine got smaller) but I’m concerned about ovarian cancer and there’s a huge cancer history in my family but so far no ovarian cancer and my hysterectomy was not for cancer. I read that some benign cysts will require treatment in that they do not go away by themselves, and in quite rare cases, others may be cancerous. I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts about five or six years after my (TVH/kept both ovaries) total vaginal hysterectomy. I didn’t have symptoms of ovarian cysts when they were first diagnosed and the doctor ordered the ultrasound and kept an eye on the cysts with updated ultrasounds.The last ultrasound about three years ago showed the cysts got small enough and I didn’t need further ultrasounds. 1. Anyone have advice on dealing with the pain and would heat help if surgery isn’t indicated? 2. If it’s not gas or appendicitis I’m experiencing does anyone know what can be done for them besides taking out the ovary? One doctor I didn’t like or agree with recommended I get my ovaries removed because of the history of cysts and I didn’t see him for that problem and he refused to help me with why I went in there and think he was just trying to get more money (the wait was over 3 hours in his office).Three other doctors agreed to not take out my ovaries including my surgeon if it wasn’t cancerous as it could prevent me from going into surgical menopause.3. I’ve never had symptoms of menopause but does anyone know if estrogen if needed again would help prevent the cysts from getting bigger if present again or would it just feed ovarian cysts?I was put on the estrogen patch 5 years later because my blood work showed I was low on estrogen and I didn’t have any symptoms of menopause. I was taken off the estrogen patch after it was thought that the narcotic pain meds I was taking for disc injury and muscle spasms could have caused the abnormality of the amount of estrogen in my system. Thanks in advance.
I have been diagnozed with 1.5 cm dermoid cyst in right ovary. But I had 8cm dermoid cyst in left ovary which grew very fast and I hot it removed via cystectomy in Sep’12 itself. Now I am worried that this cyst might grow in size again. I want to try some natural herbs..can someone please share the remedies tried or any doctor who gives such treatments?