Ovarian Cysts

Many women develop growths, known as ‘cysts’, in or on their ovaries. These cysts are fluid-(water) filled sacs (rather like a blister). In some women cysts are completely harmless, requiring little or no treatment. These cysts are ‘benign’, or non-cancerous. Other cysts, however, can be cancerous, which is why a diagnosis is extremely important when ovarian cysts are suspected. Cysts can vary in size. They are normally small, which means that you may not even know you have one until a routine examination picks it up. However, some are large enough to cause menstrual irregularities or discomfort.

What are ovarian cysts?

There are two main types of ovarian cysts: functional and abnormal. These are then broken down into several further types, depending on the characteristics and cause.

Functional cysts

These are the most common type of ovarian cysts. Many ovarian cysts are due to abnormal cell growth, but functional cysts are different, caused mainly by a slight alteration in the normal functioning of the ovary. There are two types of functional cysts: follicular and luteal, which are named according to the half of the cycle at which they appear. Follicular cysts appear in the first half; luteal cysts appear in the second half.

Follicular cysts

Each month the egg-making follicle of your ovary releases an egg. However, in the case of follicular cysts, the egg is not released and the follicle continues to grow, becoming enlarged and filled with fluid. These cysts can cause few if any symptoms and may only be diagnosed when you are seeing your doctor for other reasons. Normally ultrasound is the form of diagnosis.

Luteal cysts

This type of cyst develops in the second half of the cycle after the egg has been released (at ovulation). As soon as ovulation has taken place in a normal cycle, the ruptured follicle then develops into the corpus luteum which produces progesterone in anticipation of a pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilised, the corpus luteum withers, progesterone levels fall and a period occurs. A luteal cyst is formed when the corpus luteum fails to wither when it should, and fills with blood instead.

Pain or spotting at ovulation (called mittelschmerz) can be caused by the release of blood from the corpus luteum when there is a slight drop in oestrogen at ovulation.

Abnormal cysts

These are very different from functional cysts because they are the result of abnormal cell growth. This does not, however, mean that they are cancerous. Many cysts are simply benign growths. No one knows for sure what causes this abnormal cell growth. The cysts can remain forever, without causing any problems, or they may burst, requiring emergency surgery.

Cystadenoma cysts

These cysts develop from cells on the outer surface of the ovaries. They can grow to a large size and are sometimes attached to the ovary by a stem. The cysts themselves may not cause any remarkable symptoms, but they can twist on their stems and then rupture, which can be extremely painful, and require emergency surgery.

Endometrial cysts

Endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the womb (endometrium) begins to grow in parts of the body other than the womb. (see section on Endometriosis). These endometrial patches can form on the ovaries, creating cysts known as ‘chocolate cysts’ because they are filled with old blood.

Every month during your period these endometrial patches of tissues that have become encapsulated in a cyst will bleed. Because there is no outlet for the bleeding, the cyst becomes larger. Even small chocolate cysts can rupture, although they may grow very large causing severe pain.

Dermoid cysts (teratomas)

Dermoid cysts are a very bizarre phenomenon, and are classed as tumours rather than simply cysts. Every one of your eggs has the potential to create another human being, and dermoid cysts are effectively structures that are filled with pieces of bone, teeth, hair and skin. One theory is that an unfertilised egg begins to produce various body tissues. Alternatively, it has been suggested that we are effectively carrying a ‘twin’ inside. It is unknown how or why these kinds of tumours grow. They are solid structures, which means that they are not, technically, cysts, but they can become malignant (cancerous).

Polycystic ovaries

Many women experience a large number of small cysts in the ovaries, often accompanied by hormonal imbalance. This condition is called ‘polycystic’ (see section on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ), although technically they are not cysts, but very small egg follicles.

Are there any symptoms ?

The simple answer is not always. Some women develop cysts and experience no symptoms whatsoever. Others notice changes in their monthly cycles that indicate potential problems. Still others experience pain and obvious symptoms, such as the following:

•     Irregular periods
•     Pain, dull aching or cramping in the abdomen
•     Pain during intercourse
•     Breakthrough bleeding
•     Swelling in the abdomen

Supplements

The supplements recommended below may be useful for ovarian cysts. For best results you should take them over a period of three months, at the end of which you should be reassessed in order to monitor improvements and changes and then adjust the supplement programme according to your new condition.

The supplements below will enhance the dietary changes you are making, working to balance hormones, improve immunity, enhance liver function and protect against abnormal cell growth. Some of these supplements are recommended simply because they will encourage optimum health, which will allow your body to function normally.

Multivitamin and Mineral

A good quality multivitamin and mineral would form the foundation of your supplement programme to make sure that you are getting a ‘little bit of everything’. You then add in those nutrients in slightly higher amounts which are known to be helpful for ovarian cysts.

Vitamin C

This is an important nutrient for boosting immune activity. If the immune system is working efficiently, it can destroy abnormal cells, which is important to prevent abnormal cysts.

Zinc

Zinc is also crucial for the immune system, but it plays an additional role in the reproductive system. Zinc is needed for normal egg development as it helps cells reproduce, and it can also protect your body against free radical damage. Free radicals can cause cell damage (to the DNA), so it is important that they are kept under control .

B vitamins

The B-complex vitamins are needed by your liver to convert excess oestrogen into weaker and less dangerous forms. B vitamins are, therefore, essential, when you are working to balance your hormone levels.

Antioxidants

Add a good antioxidant formula to supplement your diet. This should include vitamins A and E and the mineral selenium. Antioxidants helps to protect your cells against damage and any abnormal cell changes.

Vitamin D

This is an important nutrient for immune function and many women today can be deficient in vitamin D.

Omega 3 fatty acids

The Omega 3 fatty acids can help with hormone balance and it is thought that nowadays we can be getting ten times too much Omega 6 from our diet and not enough Omega 3. The correct balance of these two essential fatty acids is crucial for your health.

Herbs

Other herbs can be used to help balance the hormones, which will encourage the ovaries to function normally. This can help to prevent functional cysts.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Echinacea is useful for boosting immune system function as it can increase white blood cell count and activity. These increased levels can help the body to engulf abnormal cells.

Echinacea appears to be more effective when taken on a slightly infrequent basis. Take it for 10 days, take a three-day break, and then repeat for another 10 days.

Milk thistle (Silymarin marianum)

This is an important herb for the liver, acting as a tonic. It can encourage the detoxification process, which means that abnormal cells will be destroyed and excess hormones excreted.For more information on which herbs to use for ovarian cysts, see the rest of the Understanding Ovarian Cysts ebook at The Natural Health Practice which you can download.

Caution

You should not take any of the above herbs if you are taking, The Pill, Fertility drugs, HRT or any other hormonal treatment or other medication unless they are recommended by a registered, experienced practitioner.

Tests

There are a number of tests available that are extremely useful and are well worth considering. These tests can give you invaluable insights into understanding what is going on in your body at the moment and can tell you what vitamin and mineral deficiencies and heavy toxic metal excesses you may have. They can let you know what your general condition is and how well your digestive system is functioning and then explain what action you need to take to rectify any imbalances the results may reveal. The analysis of these results lets you know what supplements you need to take in order to bring your body back into balance and into optimum health. This is also designed to help prevent these problems from recurring in the future. You would then be re-tested after three months to monitor your progress and to adjust the supplement programme accordingly.

Mineral Deficiency Test with Supplement Programme (hair)
Find out what the mineral and heavy toxic levels are in your body

This test measures the deficiencies and excess levels of 12 different minerals (including calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc) and 6 heavy toxic metals (including aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel) that may be present in your body. Find out more – Mineral Deficiency Test with Supplement Programme (hair)

Online Personalised Supplement Assessment Programme
Discover what vitamins and minerals you need and should be taking

The analysis of this comprehensive questionnaire will give you a three monthly supplement programme to help balance any vitamin and mineral deficiencies you may have. Find out more – Online Personalised Supplement Assessment Programme

Vitamin D Deficiency Test (at home finger prick blood)
With all the news in the press about the benefits of having good levels of vitamin D e.g. prevention of cancer, especially breast cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis it is important that you know whether or not you are lacking in this vital vitamin.

We know that Vitamin D is required for calcium absorption, but it also plays many other important roles including prevention of cancer, especially breast cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. As well as all of these benefits, it is now thought that having good levels of vitamin D can help slow down the ageing process and low levels have been implicated in other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and inflammatory bowel disease. To check whether you have sufficient levels of Vitamin D please click Vitamin D Deficiency Test (at home finger prick blood)

Omega 3 Deficiency Test (at home finger prick blood)
If you want to find out if you are getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids from your diet and whether you have the correct balance of essential fatty acids.

Signs of an Omega 3 fatty acid are dry skin, lifeless hair, cracked nails, fatigue, depression, dry eyes, lack of motivation, aching joints, difficulty in losing weight, forgetfulness, breast pain. If you have also tried to lose weight by going on a low-fat or no-fat diet, you are likely to be deficient in these essential fats. It is now estimated that we are getting ten times more Omega 6 fats from our diet than Omega 3 and over the last century there has been an 80% decrease in the consumption of these Omega 3 fatty acids. When you eat Omega 3 fats they are converted to substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body.

Many of the women I see in the clinic have been taking evening primrose oil supplements – an Omega 6 fatty acid – for many years as it can be helpful with PMS. But you can end up with too much Omega 6 and not enough Omega 3 in your body. Some women are also taking combinations such as Omega 3, 6, and 9 in supplement form because they have heard that we need a good balance of all the Omega fatty acids. This is true, but you have to take into account what your own levels may be in the first place. It is no good adding in more Omega 6 if you have already got enough or in fact too much in your body. (You can now have a blood test to tell you if you have the correct levels of Omega 3 to Omega 6 in your body see below). To check whether you have sufficient levels of Omega 3 please click Omega 3 Deficiency Test (at home finger prick blood)

After three months you would then have a re-test in order to monitor your progress and adjust your supplement programme according to your new condition.

If you need help in obtaining any of the supplements, herbs or tests mentioned above, click, ovarian cysts options at The Natural Health Practice. They can supply all of them for you online or if you prefer to talk to somebody first you can also order by mail order on the telephone. The products supplied by this company are always of the highest quality.

Nutrition

Ensure you are getting the right nutrition.Follow the dietary recommendations outlined in the free The Foundation of Health ebook. For more information on the special dietary recommendations for ovarian cysts, read the rest of the ebook on Understanding Ovarian Cysts ebook at The Natural Health Practice

Supplements

The supplement programme below should be taken for at least three months in order to achieve best results

To avoid having to purchase numerous supplements for all of the above and to make the process easier, I have put together a supplement programme which contains all the nutrients mentioned above and in the correct dosages. For more information about these click Ovarian Cysts Supplement Programme.

In my book ‘The Natural Health Bible for Women’ I explain the impact of nutrition on ovarian cysts and also give in great detail a list of the most important nutrients and herbs required in order to help you.

If you would like to order these special supplements now, you can do so through the Natural Health Practice by clicking Ovarian Cysts Supplements at the Natural Health Practice.

Tests

The tests below have been specially selected to be the most helpful if you are concerned about ovarian cysts.

Mineral Deficiency Test with Supplement Programme (hair)

Online Personalised Supplement Assessment Programme

Vitamin D Deficiency Test (at home finger prick blood)

Omega 3 Deficiency Test (at home finger prick blood)

After three months you would then have a re-test in order to monitor your progress and adjust your supplement programme according to your new condition.

If you need help in obtaining any of the supplements, herbs or tests mentioned above, click, Ovarian Cysts options at The Natural Health Practice. They can supply all of them for you online or if you prefer to talk to somebody first you can also order by mail order on the telephone. The products supplied by this company are always of the highest quality.

Read More

The section above forms part of a larger complete e-book on Ovarian Cysts.

 

In the rest of the e-book you will learn what the medical approaches to ovarian cysts are and how to combine them with the natural approach. This is called Integrated Medicine and is the way that healthier of the future is moving towards. You will also learn what medical tests will give you an accurate diagnosis of your condition and if you really need to have them. The medical treatments for ovarian cysts are then examined which can include looking at either drugs or surgery. Each treatment is then discussed and the pros and cons of the options explained. The Integrated Approach to ovarian cysts is considered in some detail so that if appropriate you can know how to combine the best of both conventional and natural medicine.

At the end of the ebook is a practical step by step summary of what you can do to help yourself.

If you would like to read the rest of this ebook click, Understanding Ovarian Cysts ebook at The Natural Health Practice and you will be given details of how you can download the whole ebook.