Ovarian Cyst
An ovarian cyst is a small sac filled with fluid or semisolid material that forms on or within one or both of your ovaries. Females have two ovaries. One ovary is located on each side of the uterus.
It usually forms during the ovulation process of follicle development or re
There are different types of ovarian cysts, most of which are painless and noncancerous (benign).
Ayurvedic View :
Cysts of the ovaries are caused due to Kapha Dosha aggravation, which promotes abnormal growth of the tissues. It is named as Granthi, which translates to tissue mass.
Types :
Most ovarian cysts are functional cysts. They form in response to your body’s changes during your menstrual cycle. Less commonly, ovarian cysts form for reasons unrelated to your period.
Functional ovarian cysts
Functional cysts are the most common type of ovarian cyst and aren’t disease-related. They occur as a result of ovulation. These cysts can be a sign that your ovaries are functioning as they should. Functional cysts generally shrink over time, usually within 60 days, without treatment. Sometimes, functional cysts are called simple cysts. They include:
- Follicular cysts: A small sac in your ovary, called a follicle, releases an egg each month as part of your menstrual cycle. A follicular cyst forms when the follicle doesn’t release an egg. Instead, the follicle fills with fluid and forms a cyst.
- Corpus luteum cysts: After the follicle releases an egg, it forms a hormone-producing structure called the corpus luteum. If conception doesn’t take place, the corpus luteum dissolves. But sometimes, instead of breaking down, it fills with fluid and forms a cyst.
Other ovarian cysts
Not all ovarian cysts form in response to your menstrual cycle. They aren’t always signs of disease, but your provider may want to monitor them to ensure that they don’t cause complications. Other types of ovarian cysts include:
- Cystadenomas: These cysts form on the surface of your ovary. They can be filled with fluid that’s thin and watery or thicker and mucous-like.
- Dermoid cysts (teratomas): Dermoid cysts contain cells similar to the tissue in your hair, teeth, or skin. They’re smooth, rubbery, and noncancerous.
- Endometriomas: These cysts are filled with menstrual blood and are typically a sign of having endometriosis.
- Ovarian cancer cysts: Unlike the conditions above, ovarian cancer cysts are solid masses of cancer cells. This can happen at any age but are more common after menopause.
Causes :
- Environmental Factors: Your exposure to environmental chemicals through diet, lifestyle, and habits like smoking or drinking.
- Poor diet and lifestyle, which create hormone imbalances such as high Estrogen and Insulin Resistance.
- Nutritional Deficiencies such as Vitamin D deficiency, insufficient dietary intake of proteins, and antioxidants.
- Endometriosis: Endometriomas (or chocolate cysts) often form on your ovary if you have advanced endometriosis.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Pelvic infections – Pelvic Infections.
- Abnormal cell reproduction: Unusual cell reproduction can cause dermoid cysts or cystadenomas to form.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS can cause multiple small cysts to form on your ovaries.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Severe pelvic infections can spread to your ovaries, causing cysts.
Symptoms :
Most ovarian cysts cause no symptoms and go away on their own. But a large ovarian cyst can cause:
- Pelvic pain or a dull ache in your back
- A feeling of fullness (bloating in your lower belly) — it may feel more pronounced on one side of your body
- Pain during sex (dyspareunia)
- Painful periods and/or irregular periods
- Trouble pooping or needing to pee frequently
- Fullness, pressure or heaviness in your belly (abdomen)
- Bloating
Treatment
In Ayurveda, ovarian cysts are often perceived as an imbalance in the doshas, particularly
Vata and Kapha. These imbalances can manifest physically and emotionally, affecting
reproductive health.
Chronic stress is often linked to ovarian cyst development. Ayurvedic treatments like
Shirodhara (a soothing oil-pouring therapy) and Abhyangam (full-body massage) to alleviate
stress and promote relaxation, fostering a conducive environment for healing.
It involves the adaptions of diet, lifestyle, and involves herbal cleansing and rejuvenation
therapies.
For non-functional cysts such as Hemorrhagic Cysts, Endometrioma Cysts, and Dermoid Cysts, more than one Dosha is vitiated along with imbalances in the bodily tissues such as Bone Tissues, Reproductive tissues, Plasma, and Blood Tissues. In such cases, both lifestyle and herbal therapies are required.