If you have ovarian cysts, you’re not alone. Many women have them at some point during their lives. In most cases, they’re benign (not cancerous) and go away on their own without treatment. However, they can sometimes cause symptoms like pelvic pain or pressure, bloating, and difficulty urinating. See a Garden City ovarian cysts specialist if you experience any of these symptoms. He or she can determine if you have ovarian cysts and, if so, whether they need to be treated. This article looks for some of the most effective treatments for ovarian cysts. Read on to learn more.
Watchful Waiting
If your ovarian cysts are small and don’t cause any symptoms, your doctor may recommend a “wait and see” approach. This means that your doctor will monitor you over time to see if the cysts go away independently. You’ll likely have pelvic exams and ultrasounds every few months to check for changes in the size or appearance of the cysts. If your ovarian cysts don’t go away or if they cause symptoms, your doctor may recommend treatment.
Medication
If your ovarian cysts are causing symptoms, you may be treated with medication. The most common medicine used to treat ovarian cysts is birth control pills. These pills help shrink the size of the cysts and reduce the amount of estrogen in your body. This can help the cysts go away on their own. Other medications that they may use to treat ovarian cysts include:
- Progestin-only birth control pills
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists
- Danazol
- Aromatase inhibitors
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is another treatment option for ovarian cysts. This therapy helps to shrink the size of the cysts and prevent them from coming back. GnRH agonists are the most common hormone therapy used to treat ovarian cysts. These drugs work by stopping your body from making estrogen. This can help shrink the cysts’ size and make them go away.
Surgery
If your ovarian cysts are large, cause severe pain, or are cancerous, you may need surgery. The most common type of surgery used to treat ovarian cysts is laparoscopic surgery. This minimally invasive surgery is performed through small incisions in the abdomen. During the surgery, the doctor will remove the cyst or cysts.
Dietary Changes
If you have ovarian cysts, you may also want to make dietary changes. Some evidence suggests that eating a diet low in estrogen can help shrink the size of the cysts. You can do this by avoiding high estrogen foods, like soy products and flaxseeds. You may also want to avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine.
Alternative Therapies
Alternative therapies, like acupuncture and Chinese herbs, may also help treat ovarian cysts. Acupuncture is a treatment that involves inserting thin needles into the skin. Chinese herbs are a type of herbal medicine that is used to treat a variety of conditions. There is limited evidence to support these therapies for ovarian cysts, but some women find them helpful.
In summary, there are several different treatments available for ovarian cysts. Your doctor may recommend a “wait and see” approach, medication, surgery, dietary changes, or alternative therapies. If you have ovarian cysts, talk to your doctor about the best treatment option.
