Ovarian Cysts

I've been prone to cysts for 5years which only got tested and discovered last year! I am almost always in AGONY and have tried everything from birth control to surgery but they always return! I honestly cannot cope anymore and my docs useless! Please help!!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I find often that women who have chronic pelvic pain are talked into believing that 1-2 cm cysts are causing their problems.  These cysts are normal and are almost always present on every woman's ovaries.  I hope this is not what your doctors are talking about too!  Your problem is a difficult one--chronic pain in the pelvic area, and believe it or not, often results from some sort of major physical/psychological trauma that becomes worse and worse over time.

Most women end up with hysterectomies and removal of the ovaries, but often this doesn't cure the pain which usually moves somewhere else.  Sometimes on the other hand, a hysterectomy does a world of good-- its usually difficult to predict.

I have found in my practice, that if I suppress both cysts AND menstrual periods with depot Lupron, and it HELPS, then a hysterectomy likely will too.  If is doesn't help, a hysterectomy likely won't.  Chronic pain is very poorly understood, and has to do with how the nerves of the body "remember" pain.  It also often leads to depression (not vice versa as many doctors would suggest).  

You might find a sympathetic ear at a pain specialist clinic, or another route that has some promise, is the "natural" or Naturopathic pathway.

Just some thoughts.
Good luck!
Dr B

[Rhiannon89]

My cysts usually around 5cm hense surgery and a loads of painkillers and I'm too young to have my ovaries removed. I can't take the 'wait & see' advise nomore I can't cope! I put myself on a low-carb diet with exercise and natural remedies such as chasteberry but im in too much pain to or eat- im down to nearly 7stone from over 8st 2month ago! What can be done? Im desperate!! x