Dr. Nicole Sundene
Ovarian cysts are a common sign of hormone imbalance as well as a cause of hormone imbalance.
Sudden severe sharp pain in the right lower abdomen in women is often misinterpreted as appendicitis only for women to find they have a giant cyst on their ovary and that is the cause of the pain…or even worse some women have nausea and vomiting when they suddenly burst.
WHAT IS AN OVARIAN CYST?
An ovarian cyst is generally a fluid filled sac on the ovary that is generally non-cancerous and will resolve on its own. When a cyst is solid on the ovary the radiologist will need further imaging usually with an MRI to confirm it is not cancer. However, fluid filled cysts are generally non-cancerous and just extraordinarily painful and annoying.
WHAT CAUSES OVARIAN CYSTS?
Hormone imbalance, hypothyroidism, conditions such as PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and Perimenopause are the most common causes of Ovarian Cysts I find as a Hormone Doctor.
Endometriosis, pelvic infections and certain cancer can also cause cysts. Although this is rare. Generally if your cyst hurts really bad that is a good cyst. A bad cyst is generally painless aka probably cancer. So while I am not some sick psychopath that wants you to have bad Ovarian Cyst pain… I know as a doctor that has been through this repeatedly for seventeen years…that this is a strong sign that it is not a worrisome type of cyst. Just a really painful annoying one!
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF OVARIAN CYSTS?
Generally one sided severe sharp pain in the pelvic region or lower abdomen. While smaller cysts may just cause dull pain or sharp twinges of pain at times, larger cysts can cause pain in the low back, thigh and hip. Painful intercourse, and bleeding when the cyst finally ruptures can also occur.
Frequent urination, and painful bowel movements can also occur. Did you know the Ovary can also refer pain all the way up to the shoulder?
Also, feeling quickly full while eating little food is also a common sign of a large Ovarian Cyst or Fibroid. Some women are in so much pain they also have nausea, vomiting, and sweating.
While this is common to some degree when the cyst suddenly ruptures it should not go on for a long time. So if you are in so much pain you cannot stand, are weak, dizzy and feverish this could indicate the ovary has twisted and is in torsion. This would be a medical emergency. Many of my patients do go to the ER for their cysts because they need IV pain management in the middle of the night when it ruptures. I would rate the pain of a rupturing Ovarian Cyst up there with child birth, kidney stone, or a herniated disc. Patients are often crying, writhing, rocking, and rolling about in pain from all of these conditions.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN MY CYST IS FLARING?
For most typical ovarian cysts they can be managed at home while they are rupturing with a heating pad, anti-inflammatory diet, ginger tea for nausea and curcumin or turmeric for the pain and or over the counter pain relievers like Advil.
I have most of my patients follow this regime and/or castor oil pack if that helps as well. If the pain is so severe you are crying, sweating, dizzy or feverish then you need to go to the ER and then follow up with your OBgyn or Women’s Health Naturopathic Doctor after.
DO I NEED SURGERY FOR MY CYST?
Generally Ovarian Cysts I have managed over the course of my seventeen years as a Naturopath and eight years in Family Medicine do not require surgery. This is a situation generally managed well in out patient care. Most women feel more comfortable at home with their family, pets, own bed and things. However if you are in super bad pain this is abnormal and may require surgery and an ER visit. Large cysts that are causing women severe pain, inability to urinate or have a bowel movement generally require surgery. I have had patient's in my practice with cysts the sizes of volleyballs, grapefruits, and oranges that required surgery.
WHAT IS THE TEST FOR AN OVARIAN CYST?
A pelvic ultrasound can be conducted to determine the size and severity of your cyst or cysts. Cysts that are not filled with fluid are at risk of cancer and need further work up with an MRI. Both of these tests do not expose you to radiation, unlike a CT. If the Obgyn really needs a CT they will order that but most cysts are visualized well with MRI.
HOW CAN I PREVENT OVARIAN CYSTS?
Working with a Women’s Health Naturopathic Doctor to confirm your hormones are properly adjusted is critical for preventing future cysts. The same types of hormone imbalance that cause fibroids, polyps, endometriosis, and bad menstrual cramps can cause Ovarian cysts so it is important to get things checked out.
Most OBgyn’s only have birth control pills as a treatment for Ovarian Cysts. Fortunately, as a Naturopathic Doctor that specializes in Women’s Health, I have more tools in my tool kit than just prescribing synthetic chemicals that stop your period.
Cysts are a symptom in Women’s Health that “something is not right” and we need to listen to this important message the body is sending to us in order to effectively make Ovarian Cysts go away. Otherwise they will probably come back every six weeks like a raging case of Chronic Herpes!
Thankfully I have nutrition, supplements, herbs, and hormone lab testing in my tool kit to help women understand why they have Ovarian Cysts in the first place, and natural tips to help them go away for good or at least not come back as often.
Ovarian cysts can be super painful. When I was younger I had vomiting from the pain when my cyst ruptured. The pain was akin to labor pains. Ovarian cysts while not technically dangerous or harmful can be extraordinarily painful and that is why I like to work on a prevention program as a Women’s Health Doctor so that women do not have to suffer with severe day destroying pains that always seem to find the perfect “right time” like Valentine’s Day, Christmas or your birthday to POP!
So let’s get you off the struggle bus if you have Ovarian Cysts, and figure out why you have them in the first place as the first step in making them go away.
Need my help taking a holistic approach to your Ovarian Cysts? Simply visit my SCHEDULE page to get started with my Naturopathic Women’s Health detective process.
Dr. Nicole Sundene
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is the author of "The Hormonal Acne Diet" and specializes in Holistic Dermatology and Hormones. She is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones.
Dr. Sundene specializes in Holistic Women's Health conditions for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease.
She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
