Menopausal ovary cysts

[CathyA]

I've had these about twice a year since I became menopausal. (7 years ago). Its painful for about 2 weeks, then goes away. Seems like even though they are just cysts, it causes similar hormonal problems, just like the old ovulation.....migraine, GI problems, joint problems, etc. I've read that these can turn into cancer more as you get older.
Anyone else have problems with these? Of course, if the pain continues I'll see my OB/GYN, but until then, I'll just view it as another pain in the arse thing about being female.

[try2bfrugal]

I've had these about twice a year since I became menopausal. (7 years ago). Its painful for about 2 weeks, then goes away. Seems like even though they are just cysts, it causes similar hormonal problems, just like the old ovulation.....migraine, GI problems, joint problems, etc. I've read that these can turn into cancer more as you get older.
Anyone else have problems with these? Of course, if the pain continues I'll see my OB/GYN, but until then, I'll just view it as another pain in the arse thing about being female.

I cut back on yogurt and coffee and starting eating more veggies, especially broccoli and cabbage. I just tried different diets and that is what I found helpful. I have not had any breast cysts either since I changed my diet.

Broccoli and cabbage are supposed to be good for lowering estrogen levels. It sure worked for me. Exercise, yoga and hot water bottles also helped in the short term. Just walking around versus sitting made a difference in the pain levels. But the long term solution for me was broccoli.

I do not get migraines but some of my family members have found broccoli very helpful for those as well.

Here is a link on broccoli and breast cancer -
http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/nutrition/ask_expert/2005_07/question_02.jsp

[awakenedsoul]

Sorry to hear about your cysts. I haven't had them, but yogi tea really helps me with perimenopause. I put 5 whole cloves, 5 whole peppercorns, a stick of cinnamon, a piece of whole ginger, and 5 cardoman pods, (opened,) and grated nutmeg to taste into 3 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, and then simmer for 20 mins. Strain it, add one cup of milk or soy milk, honey, and serve. It has wonderful benefits and reduces inflammation. Soy milk has estrogen, so you might not want to use it. I need the estrogen and it makes me feel balanced.

I read a book about women who go through menopause easily, without problems. They eat every two hours, and they exercise every day. I've been doing that, and it's amazing! It keeps your blood sugar balanced. Also, taking fish oil has really helped me on many levels. Women in Japan don't get hot flashes, and they eat a lot of fish. I haven't had any hot flashes, either.

[Tussiemussies]

Hi Cathy A, if I were you I would have those checked by your dr. I wouldn't wait on it thinking it's just another pain. :)

[fidgiegirl]

First of all, sorry about your cysts, Cathy.

I am not menopausal but finding this discussion very interesting. I recently read a book about Hashimotos Thyroiditis and learned so much about hormones overall! I had no idea the HUGE role they play in our health and how when one gets off it throws all the other ones off.

try2bfrugal, do you cook your broccoli? After reading the effects of too much estrogen in the book (esp. on Hashi's), I am concerned and would like to try to get any out of my body that I can (I've been on birth control for years and am now going off. Sorry if TMI.) But broccoli can also interfere with the thyroid if uncooked, so that's why I ask.

awakenedsoul - what a divine tea.

[Selah]

For many years, different doctors told me I was perimenopausal because of my age and having rotten periods (which I'd had trouble with my whole life). Once I got to Israel, I could afford to have real scans, and they found that I had numerous cysts on my ovaries. After repeated and routine checks, they've now determined that they come and go according to my period cycle. They didn't prescribe any medication or make any recommendations as to how to deal with the intermittent pain...I just use ibuprofen and loud yells, LOL.

Ironically, I'd been having hot flashes and dryness, and my OB-GYN here intially put me on a kind of light hormone treatment designed to regularize my periods, which had gone absolutely crazy in terms of frequency, spotting, etc. But after two months on the medication, she had me do a hormone test during the "off" week of the medication (the week where you don't take anything and so are supposed to get your period). Turned out, I wasn't perimenopausal at all and my hormones were perfectly normal. What the heck?! So now, at 46, after being diagnosed as perimenopausal for more than four years, I'm...er...not. Doh!

[try2bfrugal]

try2bfrugal, do you cook your broccoli? After reading the effects of too much estrogen in the book (esp. on Hashi's), I am concerned and would like to try to get any out of my body that I can (I've been on birth control for years and am now going off.

I usually steam it. I have noticed that if I eat too much I get tired so it is somewhat of a balancing act. Broccoli and cabbage are traditional remedies for too much stomach acid so obviously huge quantities could create other issues, like gas or not having enough stomach acid to digest food properly. And of course cruciferous veggies are not supposed to be good for hypothyroidism.

I do not have to eat broccoli all of the time, just when I feel any breast cysts or ovarian pain and it seems to make them go away. For me just keeping my diet from being too acid seems to work, too. Like if I have a cup of coffee in the morning I follow it up with a banana for balance. Or if I have chili I'll put it on a baked potato.

[Tussiemussies]

In the winter we roast broccoli. You need to squeeze a little lemon juice on it for sugar but it comes out great! We let it go until there is a little crispness on the ends of the florets. You do need to cut off the florets and use them...:)

[Simpler at Fifty]

My friend had one ovary removed yesterday. Had a 5mm cyst and was in a lot of pain of late but really this whole year. Huge increase in her migraines and they are attributing it to the cyst.

[CathyA]

Thanks everyone. The pain is subsiding.
I was reading a medical report that said that if at all possible, a woman should try to keep her ovaries (provided they aren't cancerous), because even after menopause, they can protect against heart attacks.

[Tussiemussies]

Thanks everyone. The pain is subsiding.
I was reading a medical report that said that if at all possible, a woman should try to keep her ovaries (provided they aren't cancerous), because even after menopause, they can protect against heart attacks.

Glad to hear that the pain is subsiding!

[awakenedsoul]

I'm reading an excellent book by a doctor trained in Chinese medicine. It's called A Woman's Guide To A Trouble-free Menopause. It's fascinating. He says that women who have problemative periods when they're younger have difficulties during menopause. I always had easy periods, and I haven't had any hot flashes or sleepless nights. I've done yoga and mediation since I was 20, though. He talks a lot about qui and prevention through diet, stress reduction, etc...It's a totally different approach than Western medicine and hormone replacement. It really resonates with me.

[CathyA]

I never had any problems with my periods, except a bad headache the day before.
I think some women are just more dependent on estrogen and when its fluctuating, it has a bigger effect on our entire bodies. :(