1.2 cm complex ovarian cyst, please recommend natural treatment

The doctor said I have a complex ovarian cyst on my right ovary, 1.2 cm, and she pretty much said I probably had an ovarian cyst before I even had an ultrasound done, just because I told her I had severe pain on the right side during sex one time. She said that the cyst had a mixture of solid and liquid material and that if the bloodwork comes back with a high level of a certain enzyme then she would schedule a surgery the next week to remove the cyst because she's "aggressive."  I am opposed to any unnecessary drugs or surgery. About 3 or 4 or so weeks ago I have severe pain on the right side during sex, but it has not been severe since then, but mild pain is still present. Generally the pain is mild in that area, or crampy, but its not all the time. Its like Im aware of the cyst. But I am doing research now and Im so confused. Also a few months ago I took a morning after pill which I read is the equivalent of taking 50 birth control pills at once. My period is normal though, with a lot of brown blood coming out this time. My other symptoms like occasional nausea with no vomiting, bloating, cramps when I'm not on my period, have been happening to me for so long I kind of regard them as normal...I fly a lot because I'm a flight attendant so bloating and nausea when we take off is normal. I had diarrhea for a few days, but that was after I went the Middle East and drank the plane water. It went away on its own in 2 or 3 days and I never had any pain with that or my normal bowel movements. But even before my one year of flying, I have been bloated often and sometimes I feel nauseous. Is it weird that the doctor didn't mention giving me a pregnancy test with all the blood work, she said she would "throw it in" and she knows I'm sexually active? I really want to go the natural route for this one. Please help by recommending something that is not drugs or surgery. Thanks!

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,

I think your doctor is trying to be complete and careful.
A pregnancy test is always a good idea if your are sexually active and do not use consistent contraception (well even if you did, pregnancy can happen!)
the morning after pill can definitely upset your GI tract!

Finally a complex 1.2 cm ovarian cyst is most likely a cyst of ovulation. M first choice would be a repeat ultrasound in 3 months to see if it has gone away.
good luck to you. You have a tough job!
take care