All About Ovarian Cysts

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled swelling which is found inside or outside the ovary.  The most common type forms inside one of the follicles where the eggs develop. 

Cysts vary enormously in size from being smaller than a pea to being so large that they can cause the abdomen to look distended. Most cysts form singly, although multiple cysts can form if a women has a disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome.

If your doctors suspects that you have problematic ovarian cysts, you may be sent for a scan to confirm the diagnosis.  The scan will be able to check the size of the cyst and, more importantly, look at the blood flow to the cysts which can give an indication if the cyst is cancerous.  Fortunately, very few cysts are malignant and once it is confirmed that your cyst is benign, you can look at your treatment options.

Some ovarian cysts will disappear of their own accord but others will cause ongoing symptoms. 


The Symptoms Of Ovarian Cysts
  • Pelvic pain or a sense of pelvic pressure
  • Pressure on the bladder, which may lead to frequent urination
  • Pressure on the rectum
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Severe pain if the cyst becomes twisted

Conventional Treatment

Once a proper diagnosis has been made, which is usually by ultrasound or laproscopy, the doctor will decide on the course of treatment.  If the cyst is cancerous, surgery will be performed. For benign cysts, treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms, with surgery sometimes recommended or birth control pills offered as these suppress ovulation, making the symptoms less severe. Pain relief tablets may also be offered.

Disadvantages

Taking birth control pills can cause fertility issues even when they are stopped. In addition, many women do not like the idea of using artificial hormones in the long term. Surgery does nothing to cure the root causes of ovarian cysts and this means that it is highly likely that further cysts will develop, as the root cause is still present. In addition, some professionals believe that surgery actually increases the risks of further cysts developing. This is just one reason why you might wish to consider using natural remedies for ovarian cysts.



Complications Of Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts can be a multitude of sizes. When a cyst reaches two centimeters or more in diameter, it is formally diagnosed as an ovarian cyst. Most cysts are what is known as "functional", meaning that they rarely causes complications. However, complications will develop in some cases and this will largely depend on the type and size of cyst.
  • Ruptured Ovarian Cyst-This can be a serious complication and can lead to internal bleeding and hemorrhage. In some cases it can be very dangerous and requires urgent medical attention.
  • Ovarian Torsion-Occasionally, the ovary might become twisted and this can lead to infertility. Torsion can disturb the blood supply which can lead to a complication known as ovarian necrosis. This can lead to inflammation and septic shock.

  • Peritonitis-This is the inflammation of the mucus membrane lining the abdominal cavity. This can cause excruciating pain and in some cases, the resulting complications can be life-threatening.
  • Infertility-This can be a permanent or temporary condition depending on the extent of the damage. If you are considering starting a family or have not yet completed your family, it is sensible to take ovarian cysts seriously.
  • Cancer-In some rare but still significant cases, ovarian cysts may become cancerous. This will require surgery along with appropriate cancer treatment 
As well as these complications, ovarian cysts can also lead to severe pain and hormonal imbalance. This can affect you both mentally, emotionally and physically. Conventional medication takes little account of the mental and emotional complications which can develop as a result of having ovarian cysts. Conventional treatment options can cause various side effects including weight gain, loss of fertility and the recurrence of larger and stronger cysts.