Men may not want to read this.

I have been having some pain in my ovaries so I decided to do some research on ovarian cysts, which is what my doctor thinks I may be developing.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that is usually found on the surface of an ovary. There are several types of ovarian cysts and each has different underlying causes. Most women will have them during child bearing years. Most are completely without symptoms but some types can cause serious health problems.
Types of ovarian cysts:
1. Functional (physiologic) cysts such as follicular cyst, and corpus luteum cyst.
2. Dermoid cyst.
3. Endometrioma or “chocolate cyst”
4. Cystadenoma
5. Multiple cysts-Polycystic ovary
Ovarian cysts are diagnosed by a pelvic exam by palpating the ovaries. They can also be diagnosed by a pelvic ultrasound, where sound waves are transmitted through your pelvic area and an image of your ovaries and uterus is shown on a video screen. One other way is by laparoscopy which is a surgical procedure when you doctor wants to see the cyst.

Ovarian cysts can be treated by watchful waiting where the doctor will schedule several ultrasounds to keep watching them to see if they go away on their own or not. Birth control pills can help in treatment by altering your hormone levels so the cyst will shrink. One other way is surgery where it would be surgically removed if it is large, solid or filled with debris, persistently growing, irregularly shaped, or causing pain.

Ovarian cysts can be prevented by improving the quality of your diet, increasing exercise, controlling stress, or using bio-identical hormones, these are supplements and herbs to help balance your hormonal system.

I almost always have pain in my ovaries. I am terrified that it is going to be something that requires surgery. I used to be on birth control pills but 2 years ago I got an IUD called the Merena. It seems that every since then the pain hasn’t gotten worse, so as soon as I am able to get back into my doctor I may have to have that removed. I hope not because taking the pill every day was hard to remember and I got pregnant with my daughter while I was on the DepoProvera shot. I would like to keep the Merena but am not sure I can handle the pain for 3 more years since it is good for 5 years.