What are ovarian cysts?

A woman has two ovaries located on either side of her uterus. These ovaries release an egg approximately every 28 days  – part of the menstrual cycle – and also release oestrogen and progesterone which play an essential part in her fertility. 

What sort of ovarian cysts ?

An ovarian cyst describes a fluid-filled sac that is formed either within an ovary or on its surface. Most of the time these do not cause discomfort and are harmless.

There are however some sorts of ovarian cysts, for example those that are very large, that block the supply of blood to the ovary, or rupture, that can cause serious health problems. These include:

• Pelvic pain which can range from sharp stabbing pains to dull heavy sensations – this can also make intercourse painful
• Heavy, irregular or lighter than usual periods
• Difficulty in becoming pregnant

TCM view of ovarian cysts

When we are in good health Yin and Yang will we well balanced.

Yin represents cool, water and the feminine and Yang represents heat, dry, and masculine energy. When Yin and Yang are out of balance ill health results. TCM interprets ovarian cysts as resulting from a Yin Pathology – there is too much Yin that is not sufficiently controlled by Yang. This Yin Pathology creates an overabundance of fluids which start to coagulate in the ovaries. This then transforms into Phlegm which further causes dampness – and for the Blood to stagnate. This manifests in swollen, bloated cysts.

Too much Yin is the underlying cause of an ovarian cyst, so it is important that we boost the amount of Yang energy in the body to dry up the Yin which in turn will encourage the cysts to dissolve. It works in just the same way as using the heat from a hair dryer dries out wet hair!  When we seek to address cysts, our main treatment goal is to add energy to (or in TCM language to Tonify) the Kidneys, to dry up and move Dampness and Phlegm, and to shift any stagnant Blood.

Yang is the warming and moving aspect of life. We can see Yang energy in ourselves when we go for a run and become hot and sweaty. To boost Yang energy and to control the slow, cold sinking Yin energy, we can use Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbal Treatment, and make simple effective changes to our diet and lifestyle, focusing on ovarian cyst causes.

Many women suffering with Ovarian Cysts will often experience hormone imbalances and may find it difficult to ovulate. When supporting patients with acupuncture treatment for ovarian cysts we therefore not only seek to shrink the cysts, but also work to bring balance to her hormones and to support effective ovulation. Here at GinSen we use a variety of acupuncture techniques to help improve blood flow to the reproductive organs and to also optimise ovulation.

How does acupuncture work to shrink ovarian cysts naturally?

Lifestyle tips to help move ovarian cysts

• Let’s get moving – increasing the amount of exercise that you do every day can help to get things moving. Try to incorporate a few short walks into your daily routine or boost your Yang by having a quick dance around the kitchen to your favourite song. You can also try yoga, several research has demonstrated that doing yoga may lower a person’s chance of developing cysts. 
• You are what you eat – what you eat may affect cyst development so try to reduce your intake of carbohydrates such as white bread, white potatoes and pastries. Try to fill up instead on high fibre food such as lean protein found in Chicken, Fish and Tofu and anti-inflammatory food such as Ginger, Turmeric and Tomatoes. Eating healthy is delicious! List of foods to avoid with ovarian cysts: Refined Sugar-Rich Foods, Fried Foods, coffee, and fatty foods.
• Treat yourself to a massage. The pain of an ovarian cyst can cause the surrounding muscles to tense up which can be particularly uncomfortable during a period. Massaging your lower back thighs, buttocks, and stomach promotes blood flow, helping to loosen tense muscles and reduce pain.

Get in touch today

For more information about how Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can help to free you from the misery of ovarian cysts please book your free consultation today – you can get in touch here!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.