Can Ovarian Cysts Dissolve If You Suppress Your Period?

[bobdylanfan]

I found out in May that I have two 2 cm cysts on my ovary and a possible ruptured one near my right. I went to the gyno complaining of pain. I was off of the pill at the time, but for the past month I have been on Loestrin. My periods have been a little uncomfortable, so I skipped my sugar pills in the pack and went straight for the active ones in the next pack to suppress my period until I find out what the heck is going on with my body. My gyno office and pharmacist said it was okay to do that so I would like to do that from now on.

But now I wonder if that will harm my cysts in some way. If I don't have a period, could they still dissolve on their own? I'm hoping the pills somehow help with my cysts. I want them gone. If they don't go away on their own I want to have them removed, even though they are supposed to be merely functional cysts.

I go in for another TVUS next week.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[bobdylanfan]

Thanks a lot, Annie. I wasn't sure when the cysts dissolve. I thought oral contraceptives suppressed ovulation but I'm not sure how long it takes for a body to adjust to new pills and stop ovulating. I've only been on them for a month. I appreciate your input very much. I'll be sure to ask the doc next week. My visit with her will answer lots of questions.

[AnnieBrooke]

My guess, and your doctor will be able to tell you if it's right, is that whether you have a period or not is immaterial, it is whether you ovulate that will affect the ovary.  Just a guess.

[bobdylanfan]

Thanks again. I will be sure to take the sugar pills next month if the cysts can't dissolve without ovulation or a period. I was hoping to regulate my period more than anything, but I really hope it doesn't harm the cysts, cause them to grow or something. I still don't understand how this stuff works.

[AnnieBrooke]

My sister's doc put her on the pill when she had a big ovarian cyst that wasn't draining or resolving, so it is done often enough I guess.  What I can't remember is if he had her suppress her periods.  It took three months to fix itself, but the other option would have been to drain it with a needle, and she was satisfied with the milder approach.  I think the goal of the pill was simply to keep her from ovulating (and thus stirring up the ovaries with hormones) rather than anything to do with her periods per se.

[bobdylanfan]

Plus, I just had my period last week and did not want to have it for 4 more days because of the new pills. That's how many sugar pills are in the Loestrin pack.

[bobdylanfan]

I did not decide to skip the sugar pills based on a doctor's advice. I just decided to do it this way because my periods have been the only time I feel any real pain in my pelvic region and I'm trying to get my body used to the new pills as well.

I have an appt with a gyne next week, so I'll ask her if it's okay. Thanks.

I really hope it's no big deal because it will be another 3 weeks before the next sugar pills.

[AnnieBrooke]

As long as you have the cysts, skip sugar pills on your doctor's advice only.  Sounds like that is what you did.  Talk to the doc about your concerns over possible harm to suppressing your period.