Natural solutions for ovarian cysts

Have you ever been told that you had an ovarian cyst? I sure have, and had them quite often in my early twenties. Ovarian cysts should not be confused with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), which is a different condition where a woman produces more male hormones than normal and can lead to other symptoms. An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that can develop on one or both of the ovaries. They are especially common during childbearing years.

In most cases ovarian cysts occur as a part of our normal ovulation cycle. They develop from our follicles (the capsules that hold our eggs). They usually shrink and go away on their own, without any intervention. Ovarian cysts often go unnoticed and many women have no symptoms at all. However, sometimes these cysts can grow large and do not go away on their own. When this occurs they can cause pain, rupture, and contribute to other complications.

What are the different types of ovarian cysts?

The most common types of ovarian cysts form during the menstrual cycle and are called functional cysts. The two main types of functional cysts are follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts.

• Follicular cysts: In a normal cycle an ovary releases an egg each month. The egg grows inside a capsule called a follicle. After the egg goes through the maturation process, the follicle breaks open to release the egg (better known as ovulation). A follicular cyst develops when the follicle doesn’t open to release the egg. Instead, the follicle continues to enlarge and grows into a cyst.
• Corpus luteum cysts: Once an egg is released from the follicle, the follicle then shrinks into a structure called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum’s job is to secrete hormones for conception. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum typically dissolves. However, sometimes fluid can accumulate inside the corpus luteum and a cyst is formed. 

There are other types of cysts that are less common. They are called complex cysts. Here are some examples:

• Endometriomas or ‘chocolate cysts’: These cysts can be present in women who have endometriosis. These cysts form when endometrial tissue grows in the ovaries.
• Dermoid cysts: These cysts develop from the cells that make our eggs. They can contain other tissue structures like teeth and hair.
• Cystadenomas: These cysts are filled with mucus, fluid, and/or ovarian tissue. Instead of growing inside the ovary, they are usually located outside of the ovary and attached to it by a stalk.

Symptoms of ovarian cysts

Many women have no symptoms at all when they have an ovarian cyst. This is especially true with functional cysts. However, if they do not shrink and go away, or they grow larger, they can become problematic. Some symptoms of this can include:

• Pelvic pain
• Irregular periods
• Painful periods
• Mid cycle pain and spotting
• Bloating
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Pain with sex
•  Bowel and urinary problems
•  Fertility problems

 How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?

Since a lot of ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms, many women are diagnosed incidentally (such as during a routine pelvic exam). Here are the three most common ways to confirm if a cyst is present:

• Pelvic exam: During a pelvic exam your provider may be able to palpate and feel the cyst on the ovary
•  Ultrasound: A probe is placed on the abdomen (abdominal ultrasound) or in the vagina (a transvaginal ultrasound) to confirm if a cyst is present on the ovary
•  CT scans/MRIs: Although not a common first step for diagnosis, CT scans and MRIs can also confirm the presence of an ovarian cyst. These may be utilized for more complex cases, such as when the cyst is so large that it is pressing on other structures or if it looks suspicious on ultrasound

What treatments are common for ovarian cysts?

• Watch and wait: Since a lot of ovarian cysts go away on their own (usually over the course of 1-3 cycles), a lot of doctors will opt to do nothing. They may request you come in periodically to monitor the size.
• Hormonal birth control: This is given with the purpose of suppressing ovulation. Without ovulation you typically will not make new cysts.
•  Surgery: If your cyst does not go away after several cycles, if they grow very large, if it is causing you problematic symptoms, or if it looks suspicious for something more serious, your doctor may recommend having it surgically removed.

Two things to note regarding traditional ovarian cyst treatment are firstly that treatments don’t address the underlying cause. Secondly, prevention is possible and should be the primary focus.

Prevention over treatment 

Ovarian cysts are associated with excess estrogen (Estrogen Dominance). This excess estrogen can be caused by too much estrogen itself or not enough progesterone to counter balance the estrogen that we have. If we address this issue we can often prevent ovarian cysts from occurring in the first place. Prevention is always preferred over treatment. 

To prevent ovarian cysts, our main focus needs to be on four things:

1. Supporting our liver in breaking down excess estrogen that we no longer need
2. Supporting our gut to eliminate the excess estrogen in our stool
3. Reducing the amount of estrogen that we get from external sources
4. Increasing our progesterone

 I have some tips for you that will help with all four of these strategies.

FOCUS ON GOOD NUTRITION

Eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet is always our first line of defense for our health. This is no different when we want to keep our hormones balanced and prevent ovarian cysts. Consuming lots of fruits and vegetables, keeping sugar intake low, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and avoiding processed foods are some good nutrition strategies that will help support hormonal health. 

CHOOSE ORGANIC

 Eating organic is so important to keep our estrogen in check. Conventional meat and animal products are full of hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals that can cause hormonal problems.

 Take this example: animals are often injected with growth hormones to make them larger before being utilized for food. Growth hormones have estrogen. When these products are consumed, this excess estrogen is also ingested. If you eat meat and animal products, try to only purchase grass fed, pasture raised, and organic.

 Organic produce is also important. A lot of fruits and vegetables are sprayed down with pesticides, which are chemicals that can cause hormonal disruption, when they are planted and growing. Purchasing organic will decrease the amounts of these chemicals that you ingest.

EAT YOUR CRUCIFEROUS VEGGIES

 The veggies in this family include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts, and swiss chard. These veggies are super beneficial because they help our liver to process estrogen and prepare it to be eliminated. One of the main ways that we can limit excess estrogen from accumulating in the body is by helping our liver to “pack up” estrogen for its road trip out of the body. Cruciferous vegetables support our liver in getting this job done.

GET ENOUGH FIBER

 Once our liver has packed up excess estrogen and got it ready to be eliminated, our bowel movements are what ultimately removes it from the body. If you aren’t having daily bowel movements, this estrogen that should be eliminated can end up recirculating in the body. This will subsequently cause an increase in our estrogen levels. Ensuring that you get enough fiber will help promote bowel regularity. Whole grains, oats, lentils, fruits, and vegetables are good food sources.

 MINIMIZE EXPOSURE TO XENOESTROGENS

 Xenoestrogens are synthetic substances/chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body. These chemicals can be found in your food, cleaning and personal care products, cosmetics, plastics, pesticides, and herbicides. When we are exposed to these substances, combined with the estrogen that is naturally produced in our body, it can cause symptoms of excess estrogen (such as ovarian cysts). Using green, all natural, and chemical free products with as few ingredients as possible will help to lessen your exposure. Opt to also avoid plastic and utilize glassware, stainless steel, beeswax, and ceramics instead.

EAT HEALTHY FATS

Our hormones need fat to stay in balance. In fact, fat is an actual structural component of our hormones. When our hormones are in sync, we are less likely to suffer from symptoms of imbalance. Eating foods like avocado, wild caught fish, coconut oil, nuts and seeds will give you a healthy dose of good fat.

GET A HANDLE ON STRESS

 Stress is a major cause of hormonal problems. When we experience stress, especially chronically, this raises our levels of the stress hormone cortisol. There is a decrease in progesterone production when cortisol is elevated. This results in higher estrogen levels because we need enough progesterone to counterbalance it.

 Although easier said than done, finding strategies to manage stress is crucial when trying to prevent hormonal related conditions like ovarian cysts. It’s unrealistic to think that we won’t ever experience stressful times in our lives, but finding healthy ways to cope and manage these stressors will benefit your hormones and your general health overall.

ADD IN SUPPLEMENTS

 Although getting your nutrients from food sources should be your main focus, supplements can often give you a helpful boost that could be beneficial for your hormones. If you have ovarian cysts, here are some supplements that may help. If you take any medications or have medical conditions, remember to always speak with your personal provider before starting a supplement regimen.

• Probiotics: Probiotics are essential to having a healthy digestive system.  They help us to maintain a good amount of healthy bacteria in the gut, which has many benefits for our overall health. Specifically related to our hormones, this good bacteria keeps harmful bacteria from inhibiting the breakdown and elimination of excess estrogen.
•  B complex vitamin: B vitamins play a major and crucial role in hormonal balance. They support our adrenal glands and have mood boosting qualities (super helpful when trying to manage stress). B vitamins also help our liver with detoxification, they support blood sugar balance, and they can boost progesterone while decreasing estrogen. All especially important when trying to prevent ovarian cysts.
•  Magnesium: Magnesium is a force to be reckoned with and is involved in over 300 processes in our body. Our hormones love magnesium! Magnesium assists with stabilizing blood sugar, which helps to prevent hormonal imbalance. It relaxes the nervous system while helping to decrease cortisol (this will help increase our progesterone). Magnesium also supports liver detoxification and optimal thyroid function, both which are imperative to hormonal health.
•  DIM: A DIM supplement provides concentrated benefits of cruciferous veggies (mentioned above), but in capsule form. It helps promote estrogen balance in the body by supporting phase 1 of our liver’s detoxification process. During this process, estrogen is broken down and prepared for phase 2 detoxification.
•  Sulforaphane Glucosinolate: A sulforaphane supplement supports our liver’s phase 2 detoxification process. During this process, estrogen is further processed and prepared to be eliminated from the body in our stool. Broccoli sprouts are an excellent source of sulforaphane if you’d like to forego the supplement and stick to food sources instead.

Conclusion

Ovarian cysts are commonly seen during childbearing years. In many cases they are not a cause for concern and women exhibit no symptoms. However, some cysts grow large, do not go away on their own, and could potentially contribute to other complications. Ovarian cysts are associated with excess estrogen and prevention is possible when tackling this root cause.

 The tips outlined above are some good strategies to utilize when addressing ovarian cysts. I’ve helped many women in my practice successfully get rid of, and prevent new ovarian cysts from developing. If you’d like more information on my programs or to schedule a free introductory call, visit www.healthierexistence.net

References

Diet and Estrogen Status: The Cruciferous (https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jmf.1998.1.67?journalCode=jmf)

Oral Contraceptives for Functional Ovarian Cysts (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21901701)

Endocrine Disruptors Research (https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/programs/endocrine/index.cfm)

Dietary fat intake and reproductive hormone concentrations and ovulation in regularly menstruating women (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4763493/)

Diindolylmethane Modulates Estrogen Metabolism in Patients with Thyroid Proliferative Disease: A Pilot Study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048776/) 

Low levels of 3,3'-diindolylmethane activate estrogen receptor α and induce proliferation of breast cancer cells in the absence of estradiol (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25048790/) 

Ovarian cysts: Overview (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539572/)

Oral contraceptives to treat cysts of the ovary (https://www.cochrane.org/CD006134/FERTILREG_oral-contraceptives-to-treat-cysts-of-the-ovary)

The Impact of Diet and Lifestyle on Gut Microbiota and Human Health
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303825/)

The Intestinal Microbiome and Estrogen Receptor-Positive Female Breast Cancer
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27107051/)

The Impact of Essential Fatty Acid, B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Zinc Supplementation on Stress Levels in Women: A Systematic Review
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28178022/?from_term=Magnesium+anxiety&from_pos=10)

Nutritional Factors in the Etiology of the Premenstrual Tension Syndromes (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6684167/) 

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