Natural Remedy for Ovarian Cysts

If your doctor tells you that you have a complex ovarian cyst or complex ovarian mass, it means that you have a growth on your ovary that is composed of more than one part.  Most ovarian cysts are simply filled with fluid.  Complex ovarian cysts contain both liquid and solid components.  Sometimes these can even be separated by a wall and become know as a septated cyst.

Most of the time, this type of cyst is harmless.  However, there is a small chance (less than 5%) that it is cancerous.  For this reason, most doctors will recommend you have surgery so they can biopsy the cyst.  It is the only way to absolutely rule out cancer.

There are a few tests that you should ask for before you have the surgery.  These can give you and the doctor a better idea of what you are dealing with.  One of the most common is a blood test for CA-125.  Elevated levels of this hormone are found in 80% of women with ovarian cancer.  If it’s not elevated, then your chances of cancer are somewhat less.  However, having normal levels does not completely rule out cancer.

It can be scary to think about having surgery for this, especially when the chances of it being cancer are relatively low.  However, since ovarian cancer is usually not diagnosed until it’s too late to treat, it’s best to rule out the possibility while it is still relatively contained.

Usually, doctors will do a laparascopy to remove the cyst.  However, if the solid component is over 2 ½ inches in diameter, they may need to do a traditional abdominal surgery.  Also, if the doctor finds evidence of cancer while doing the laparascopy, he will often change the procedure in order to make sure any possible cancer is removed.  It will cause you to have a longer recovery time, but if it turns out you do have cancer, it is worth it.

Polycystic ovarian cysts, or PCOS, is a disease in which a woman’s ovaries contain a number of small cysts.  This is almost always accompanied by an irregular menstrual cycle.  It is possible to have numerous cysts on your ovaries without having PCOS.  However, most women who have PCOS will have multiple cysts.

Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Cysts

The main symptom of PCOS is an irregular menstrual cycle.  All women who have polycystic ovarian cysts do not regularly ovulate, so they do not have irregular periods.  Often, women with this syndrome will have a number of small cysts in their ovaries.  There are a few other symptoms that can be present when you have PCOS.  These are:

• Acne
• Obesity
• Excess Hair Growth
• Oily Skin
• Infertility
• Dandruff
• Skin Discolorations
• High Cholesterol Level
• Elevated Blood Pressure

All or only a few of these symptoms may be present.  PCOS varies from woman to woman.

Causes of Polycystic Ovarian Cysts

No one knows for sure the cause of PCOS.  While most women with this disease have numerous small cysts on their ovaries, the cysts are not believed to be the cause of the disease.  However, scientists have found a few correlations with other health problems.  For example, women with PCOS often have a sister or a mother with the same disease.  Also, many women with PCOS also experience problems with their insulin levels.  They also produce androgen from their ovaries.

Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Cysts

In general, doctors will try to control PCOS through medication.   This can include birth control and hormonal therapy.  Women with PCOS tend to have problems getting pregnant due to a lack of ovulation, but a fertility specialist may be able to help.  Also, many women have had success in controlling their PCOS through natural remedies, such as diet.

In extreme cases, doctors may remove the ovaries to cure this disease.  However, you should know that in some cases ovarian tissue is left, leaving the potential for future cysts.  Also, losing your ovaries can cause problems as you age.  You will likely need to take artificial hormones to prevent some of these problems.