What are Ovarian Cysts?

Sacs of fluid that form within a woman’s ovaries are known as ovarian cysts. A woman may develop a cyst in one ovary or both the ovaries at the same time. Ovarian cysts occur very commonly in women of childbearing age, and are less common in females after menopause. Homeopathic medicine for ovarian cysts works to treat the symptoms and also dissolve the cysts safely with time.

Ovaries and Their Function

Ovaries are two oval-shaped gonads which make up an important part of the female reproductive system. The ovaries are found on either side of the uterus and have two major functions – production of egg (ovum) for fertilization, and the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Every month, an ovum (egg) is released from the mature follicle. If the ovum is fertilized by a sperm, it leads to pregnancy. If the ovum doesn’t get fertilized, then it breaks down and is shed along with the lining of the uterus in the form of menstrual bleeding.

Causes and Types of Ovarian Cysts

The cause behind an ovarian cyst depends upon the type of cyst. Ovarian cysts are of different kinds, the most common being functional cysts, dermoid cysts, endometriomas, and cystadenomas. Another condition, known as Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) also leads to the formation of cysts on the ovaries.

Functional Ovarian Cysts

Functional cysts are the most common and harmless ovarian cysts that tend to disappear on their own within two to three menstrual cycles. Functional cysts are linked to the menstrual cycle.
Functional cysts are further divided into two types – follicular cyst and corpus luteum cyst.

a) Follicular Cyst: In a menstruating female, every month a follicle in the ovary matures, and it contains an egg. This follicle ruptures to release the egg (a process known as ovulation). If for any reason the follicle does not rupture and release the egg, then it swells up into a fluid-filled follicular cyst.

b) Corpus Luteum Cyst: During the menstrual cycle, the ovum (egg) is released from the follicle during ovulation. The follicle then gets converted to a mass known as ‘corpus luteum’ that secretes the hormone progesterone.
If the ovum gets fertilized with sperm (that is, a pregnancy occurs), then the corpus luteum keeps secreting progesterone to maintain the pregnancy in the early stages. If pregnancy doesn’t happen, then this corpus luteum stops secreting progesterone and disappears. In some cases, the corpus luteum doesn’t disappear even in the absence of a pregnancy. It then gets filled with fluid or blood and persists in the ovary in the form of a corpus luteum cyst.

Dermoid Cyst

A dermoid cyst is a benign cyst that contains some tissues like hair, skin, fat, teeth, thyroid tissue, nails, bone, etc. These cysts are also known as ovarian teratomas.
These cysts are seen in women during the reproductive years. Women usually below the age of 30 years tend to develop these cysts. Although not a serious problem, dermoid cysts cause a problem if they rupture. They can then cause infection or ovarian torsion, both of which require medical attention.

Endometriomas

Endometriomas are ovarian cysts that contain a brown, tar-like thick fluid and are also known as chocolate cysts. These cysts develop when the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus gets attached to the ovary and produces a growth there to form a cystic mass.

Cystadenomas

Cysts that develop from cells covering the outer layer of the ovary are called cystadenomas. These cysts do not grow inside the ovary; instead, they develop on the surface of the ovary. These cysts can contain watery fluid or thick mucus-like substance.
Those filled with watery fluid are known as serous cystadenomas, and those filled with thick mucus-like substance are known as mucinous cystadenomas.

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

PCOS is a very common metabolic disorder that arises as a result of hormonal imbalance in females. In PCOS, multiple follicles (fluid-filled sacs) grow inside ovaries that contain immature eggs. These eggs then may not reach maturity and ovulate.

Homeopathic Remedies for Cysts

The conventional mode of treatment usually prescribes oral contraceptives or birth control pills in most cases of ovarian cysts. These pills don’t treat the root cause of ovarian cysts; they mask the symptoms by regularising the menstrual cycle without treating the cysts. They may also suppress ovulation to prevent the formation of more cysts.
These pills do not dissolve the existing ovarian cysts, and discontinuing their use can lead to the formation of new cysts. In addition to this, there are some side effects of these pills like nausea, breast tenderness, vaginal discharge, decreased libido, mood changes, weight gain, and migraine.

Ovarian cyst treatment with homeopathic medicine is a holistic approach that treats the main cause behind the problem. Homeopathic medicines are very safe to use among women of all age groups, and these treat ovarian cysts gently without any side effects.
Homeopathic medicine for ovarian cyst can help dissolve the cysts already present and also reduce the tendency to develop more cysts.
These medicines help in correcting menstrual irregularities linked with ovarian cysts and the associated symptoms like bloating, back pain, dyspareunia, etc. Correct and timely use of ovarian cysts can also help prevent surgery in a lot of cases.

Some of the most important homeopathic medicines that are used for treating ovarian cysts are – Lachesis Muta, Lycopodium Clavatum, Colocynthis, Apis Mellifica, Pulsatilla Nigricans, Sabina Officinalis and Sepia Succus. Each of these homeopathic medicines has their characteristic indications to use them.

Homeopathic Medicine for Ovarian Cysts

Lachesis Muta – Homeopathic Medicine for Ovarian Cysts on Left Side

Lachesis Muta is a homeopathic medicine for left ovarian cysts. Swelling and pain in the left ovary that gets better during menses, short and scanty menses, and menstrual bleeding that is blackish in color are the symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine.

Lycopodium Clavatum – Homeopathic Medicine for Ovarian Cysts on Right Side

Lycopodium Clavatum is a homeopathic medicine for right ovarian cysts. Burning or boring pains may be felt in the ovary. Irregular periods, profuse or prolonged periods, pain during intercourse and abdominal bloating are the main symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine.

Colocynthis – Homeopathic Medicine for Painful Ovarian Cysts

Colocynthis is a homeopathic medicine for ovarian cysts that are painful. The pain varies in character, ranging from cramping, stitching to tensive. Burning sensation in the ovaries that gets better upon bending over double and a sensitive ovarian region that seems hard and swollen are the symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine.

Apis Mellifica – Homeopathic Medicine for Ovarian Cysts that cause Pain during Intercourse

Apis Mellifica is a homeopathic medicine for ovarian cysts that cause pain during intercourse. A stinging, sharp, cutting pain from the ovary radiating down the thigh, soreness and tenderness over the ovarian region, heaviness in the ovarian region and pain in the ovaries during menstruation are the symptoms indicative of Apis Mellifica.

Pulsatilla Nigricans – Homeopathic Medicine for Ovarian Cysts with Scanty Menstruation

Pulsatilla Nigricans is a homeopathic medicine for ovarian cysts with scanty menstrual bleeding. A tendency of delayed menstruation, menstrual colic, chilliness, vomiting, heavy pressure in the abdomen and lower back, a pressure in the bladder and rectum are the symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine.

Sabina Officinalis – Homeopathic Medicine for Ovarian Cysts with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Sabina Officinalis is a homeopathic medicine for ovarian cysts with heavy menstrual bleeding. The menstrual bleeding is usually bright red, and copious, with the presence of dark clots. Movement tends to worsen the bleeding, and pelvic pain that extends down to the thighs is present. Dragging pain in the back and lower limbs, and bloating and distension in the pelvic region are the symptoms that indicate the need for Sabina Officinalis.

Sepia Succus – Homeopathic Medicine for Ovarian Cysts with Irregular Menstruation

Sepia Succus is a homeopathic medicine for ovarian cysts with irregular menstruation. The periods may be early or late, scanty or profuse, or of long or short duration. A bearing down sensation in the pelvis, soreness, fullness, pressure, distension, and pain in the pelvic region with a frequent urge to urinate are the symptoms that indicate the need for this remedy.

Ovarian Cyst: Contributing Factors

The contributing factors that lead to ovarian cysts include:

• hormonal imbalance
• pelvic infections
• a family history of ovarian cysts
• obesity or gaining weight rapidly

Ovarian Cysts: Symptoms

In many cases, ovarian cysts don’t lead to any symptoms and are diagnosed during a regular ultrasound. In other cases, some symptoms that may appear in case of ovarian cysts include:

• Pain in the lower abdomen (pelvis on the side of ovarian cyst). The pain may be sudden, severe or may be dull.
• Bloating, heaviness, fullness in the abdomen
• Irregular periods, heavy/scanty periods
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Frequent urination
• Painful bowel movements
• Lower back pain or thigh pain
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Infertility
• In cases of PCOS, menstrual irregularities may be accompanied by other features like acne, hirsutism, obesity, hair fall.

Frequently Asked Questions on Ovarian Cysts

What are the complications of ovarian cysts?

Ovarian torsion and rupture are two main complications of ovarian cysts. Sudden severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, fever dizziness, and fast breathing are some of the symptoms that appear as a result of these complications. These need immediate medical emergency attention.

Are Ovarian Cysts Cancerous?

Most of the times, ovarian cysts are non-cancerous.
A very small percentage of ovarian cysts can be cancerous, and these usually tend to occur after menopause in women.

Can Ovarian Cysts lead to Infertility?

Ovarian cysts are of different types, and while some cysts can cause infertility, most of them are not linked with infertility.

• Cysts that can lead to infertility are ovarian cysts that develop as a result of polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriomas.
• Cysts not linked with infertility are functional cysts, dermoid cysts, and cystadenomas.