Fluid filled or solid sacs of tissue which grow on or near the ovaries. Usually cysts bring no symptoms, though they may sometimes disrupt menstrual cycles or, if they are large, press on another structure causing pain, discomfort and swelling.

Treatment

Dietary

Some research points to the fact that women with ovarian cysts frequently suffer from thyroid deficiency. You can find this out by taking your temperature first thing in the morning; if you on average you have a temperature lower than 97.6 degrees F (36.4 degrees C) you are likely to be thyroid deficient. The following is recommendations will help to solve this:

* increase your intake of fresh saltwater fish and shellfish, and ensure you iodized salt.

* take a thyroid extract, available in health food stores.

* vitamin E is helpful in eliminating cysts. The best natural source are vegetable oils, seeds, wheatgerm and nuts. A supplement of 800 iu is recommend daily.

some naturopaths believe that cysts are the body’s mechanism of ridding itself of toxins. To aid the purification process, they advise following diet based of the following guidelines:

* drink at least 8 glasses of spring water daily

* eat organically produced food and free range meat.

* eliminate sugar, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks and refined foods.

* vitamin B complex is helpful in detoxifying the body: take 50 - 100 mg daily.

Homoeopathy

take 1 tablet 3 times daily for up to 2 weeks:

* left ovary gives pain, worse in the morning, less during menstrual period: Lachesis 6c.

* right ovary gives stinging pain with painful periods: Apis 6c.

Exercise

vigorous exercise is recommended to increase circulation and elimination.