Ovarian Cysts
Can you recommend a herbal supplement to help with an ovarian cyst and prevent pain?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder and is a complex condition which needs to be carefully assessed on an individual basis. For this reason my suggestion is to have a Naturopathic consultation so that a full case history can be done, including personal and family medical history, medications, diet and lifestyle.
Ovarian cysts are fluid containing swellings (benign tumours) in the ovary which can be a few centimetres in diameter (occasionally they can grow larger) and if they twist, rupture or bleed they can cause severe pain. For many women this condition is asymptomatic and the cysts may disappear spontaneously.
Women with PCOS produce excessive quantities of androgens in their ovaries (due to excessive Luteinizing Hormone production; conversely, excessive production of androgens can cause excessive production of Luteinizing Hormone). PCOS patients generally have abnormally high (free) Testosterone levels. Excessive amounts of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) are produced by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome patients (this excessive production of LH results in excessive production of Androgens that are responsible for many of the symptoms of PCOS - conversely, excessive production of androgens can cause excessive production of Luteinizing Hormone).
Some symptoms of Ovarian Cysts
- Weight problems
- Lack of regular ovulation/ menstruation
- Excessive hair growth
Some causes of Ovarian Cysts
- Insulin resistance
- Obesity
- Oestrogen dominance (excessive estrogens – female sex hormones produced in the ovaries)
- Excess androgens (testosterone)
- Poor liver function
- Thyroid function
- Adrenal function
- Xenoestrogen exposure (synthetic estrogens)
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Use of the oral contraceptive pill or Hormone replacement therapy
Natural treatment for Ovarian Cysts:
- Evening Primrose Oil is an anti-inflammatory and also a hormonal modulator for the female reproductive system.
- The brand Brauer produces a remedy called Reckeweg Utoplex is a homeopathic medicine to normalise hormones, stimulate circulation to the reproductive system and reduce reproductive cysts.
- B vitamin Complex will again help as a gentle anti-oxidant, regulation of the menstrual cycle, reduce excessive amounts of androgens from the adrenals and also shrink the size of the cysts,
- A supplement which contains chromium to address the insulin resistance.
- Diet - low fat, whole food, mostly vegetarian diet. Choose an alkaline diet such as fresh fruit and vegetables, oily fish, green leafy vegetables, tofu products/ soy milk, and grains (millet, brown rice, buckwheat).
- Decrease the consumption of inflammatory/ mucus forming foods such as red meats, dairy, wheat and sugar.
- Increase 'alive' growing foods like wheatgrass, barley grass, spirulina, sprouts and soaked grains and seeds into your diet.
- Vegetable juices rather than fruit juices.
- Increase the amount of water intake in the form of herbal teas and filtered water.
- Avoid Alcohol and smoking.
Please also see our liver detoxification newsletter for more health tips and advice.
Herbal remedies for Ovarian cysts.
- False Unicorn helps to normalize ovulation in women with PCOS. It also helps to normalize follicular development and reduces the incidence of ovarian cysts in women with PCOS. It also reduces the amount of estrogens produced by the ovaries.
- Chaste Berry lowers elevated estrogens levels and increase progesterone levels.
- Thuja is anti-cystic and lymphatic herb.
- Poke Root, Red clover and Violet leaves are anti-cystic herbs helping to remove lymphatic congestion and stimulates clearance of metabolic wastes.
- Ginger is a circulatory herb to stimulate blood flow and cleansing of the reproductive organs.
- Blue Flag is a lymphatic herb which assists in removing lymphatic stagnation and congestion and is also a specific herb for female reproductive cysts.
- Paeonia is a hormone modulator, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, nourishes the blood and circulation.
- Bupleurum, Dandelion and St Marys Thistle aid liver congestion and cleanse the blood and lymphatics. They help to conjugate excessive hormones and remove them from the circulation. In Chinese Medicine it is believed that the liver governs the health of the pelvic area and reproductive organs. This means by reducing the burden of wastes in the liver will increase the vitality of the circulation to the reproductive organs and improve menstrual cycles.
* Acupuncture is beneficial for revitalising energy to the reproductive organs, stimulating Qi (energy) to the organs and reducing any pain and inflammation experienced.
A naturopath can tailor make a herbal tincture for you with these ingredients. Next time you have an appointment with your doctor enquire into getting a thyroid function test and a hormone test done which includes a liver function, testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone and Luteinising Hormones. This hormone test will give you a clearer diagnostic picture of what is happening with your hormones. Also keep in mind that when trying to balance hormones it will take a period of at least 3-6 months to recorrect any problems. Ovarian cysts will also change in size and occurrence with each cycle due to oestrogen production throughout the month.