OVARIAN CYST

What is an ovarian cyst? What are its clinical treatments and home remedies?

What is an ovarian cyst? What are its clinical treatments and home remedies? An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the ovary. Some ovarian cysts also have ovarian tissue in them. Most of the ovarian cysts develop due to the hormonal changes, but some are congenitally by birth.

Ovarian cysts are generally benign, and they probably do not need any treatment because of their asymptomatic nature. They rarely cause any trouble. Even some cases have been reported in which the woman didn’t feel any kind of pain.

In this article, you’ll know more about ovarian cysts, their clinical treatments, and, home remedies?

What actually is an ovarian cyst?

An ovarian cyst is simply a sac that develops in ovary and then becomes fluid-filled. They especially get in young women who still get their periods. A lady might not even know that she is having an ovarian cyst. It is because they are mostly painless, and they go away on their own without the need for treatment. Cysts commonly occur during pregnancy.1

Causes of Ovarian Cysts

Most ovarian cysts develop during that part of the menstrual cycle during the growth and release of eggs from the ovary. These are called “functional cysts” as they normally occur during the menstrual cycle. In addition to this, many pathological states lead to the development of “pathological cysts’’.

Types of Ovarian Cysts

There are many types of ovarian cysts, but functional cysts are the most common type. Furthermore, functional cysts are classified into:

• Follicular cyst: This develops in the follicle-a sac in which an egg grows and germinates. Follicles are located inside the ovaries, and at each monthly cycle, a fully-grown dominant follicle ruptures to ovulate. If it doesn’t rupture, that follicle may form a follicular cyst.
• Corpus Luteum Cyst: Following the rupture of the dominant follicle, the remaining tissue normally develops into a yellow-colored structure called corpus luteum. Cyst developing into the corpus luteum is called a corpus luteum cyst.

Other types of ovarian cysts include:

• Dermoid cysts
• Cystadenomas
• Endometriomas

There is also a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in which many cysts develop in the ovary.2

Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts

Most often, ovarian cysts are asymptomatic. However, symptoms can occur depending upon the severity of the cyst. These symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Swelling at the lower abdomen
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Fast Breathing
• Fever

Severe symptoms occur if an ovarian cyst ruptures such as internal bleeding, and fainting, etc.

Diagnosis of Ovarian Cysts

Only medical professionals are able to diagnose ovarian cysts. They do so by imaging techniques such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be used.3

Clinical Treatments of Ovarian Cysts

Regarding functional ovarian cysts, no treatment is done as they occur due to hormonal imbalances. Doctors just wait and see what happens. Most often, cysts resolve by themselves. However, if they don’t and become painful, analgesics are prescribed.

Very often, doctors also recommend their patients to take birth-control pills, also called as contraceptive pills. These drugs are useful in a way that they have estrogens and progesterone that prevent Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome to develop. They also prevent ovarian cancers.

When cysts start doing harm, such procedures are opted.

• Laparoscopy: Doctors insert a tube-like instrument into the tummy and then, if necessary, remove the small cysts.
• Removal of cyst surgically: Cysts can also be removed by surgical intervention if laparoscopy is unable to do so.
• Oophorectomy: Very large cysts that have almost damaged the ovary are surgically removed completely along with ovary by a procedure called oophorectomy.4

Home Remedies for Ovarian Cysts

Several home remedies that are enlisted below can be useful if followed:

• Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain killer to relieve pain.
• A heating pad can assist in easing menstrual cramps.
• Usage of ginger tea is helpful such that ginger posses many anti-inflammatory substances helpful in preventing infections.
• Adjustments in the diet are always essential in preventing disease occurrence.
• Having almonds in your snacks help to prevent the pain and discomfort. It is due to the fact that they are loaded with magnesium which plays role in relieving pain.
• Studies have shown that flaxseeds help in reduction of androgen levels in females.5These high levels of androgens are associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

The Bottom Line

Different home remedies can help ease any sort of pain or discomfort or even regulate the hormonal levels. However, there are no such proven things that can possibly prevent future ovarian cysts formation. If you are experiencing symptoms of abdominal pain or you see any kind of swelling in your tummy, see your doctor right away. Your doctors can easily diagnose ovarian cysts and can effectively guide you about their prevention and treatment. They will also provide you with a treatment plan.

References

1.        Ovarian cysts: Overview. (2019).

2.        Ovarian cyst - NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cyst/.

3.        Kiemtoré, S. et al. Diagnosis and management of a giant ovarian cyst in the gravid-puerperium period: a case report. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 19, 523 (2019).

4.        Salat-Baroux, J., Merviel, P. & Kuttenn, F. Management of ovarian cysts. BMJ 313, 1098 (1996).

5.        Nowak, D. A., Snyder, D. C., Brown, A. J. & Demark-Wahnefried, W. The Effect of Flaxseed Supplementation on Hormonal Levels Associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Case Study. Curr. Top. Nutraceutical Res. 5, 177–181 (2007).