Ovarian
cysts are commonly found in young women and these are
often detected on routine ultrasound scans, and cause
considerable confusion and anxiety in the minds of
patients. Most cysts are asymptomatic, but at times,
they may undergo torsion manifested as sharp pain in the
ovaries.
Though sharp pain in the ovaries is
symptomatic of cysts, there may be other causes to the
pain. Ovulation, menstrual cramps, ovarian tumors,
ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory
disease, ovary remnant syndrome, ovary infection can all
cause severe pain.
When
diagnosing the cause of sharp ovarian
pain, the doctor will review the symptoms and
medical history of the patient. A physical exam and/or
other tests might also help in diagnosing the cause of
the pain. Some diagnostic tools might include:
- Blood
and urine tests
- Pregnancy
tests in females of reproductive age
- Vaginal
cultures to check for sexually transmitted diseases
such as gonorrhea and Chlamydia
- Abdominal
and pelvic X-rays
- Diagnostic
laparoscopy
- Ultrasound
- CT
scan of the abdomen and pelvis
When a
mature egg bursts from the follicle a sharp sudden pain
can sometimes be felt as the egg is released into the
fallopian tubes. The pain generally lasts only for a few
hours. Most women are unaware of this natural phenomenon
but should the pain continue for days or gets worse
medical attention must be sought. The
treatment of acute ovarian pain
will depend on the cause, how intense the pain is, and
how often the pain occurs. Pain medications like
Tylenol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as
ibuprofen, or narcotic pain medicine and antibiotics are
helpful if there is an infection. If the pain is due to
torsion of the ovaries, adhesions the treatment might
involve surgery.
There
are many different herbs that are said to help regulate
levels of estrogen in the body, which can be helpful for
women with ovarian cysts or fertility problems or other
problems related to the ovary. Some of these herbs
include licorice, Black cohosh, ginseng, chaste berry,
fennel etc. Most of them contain natural estrogen or
chemicals similar to estrogen.
Ovaries are an important part of a female reproductive system. Apart from releasing an egg for fertilization every month, the ovaries also produce hormones which protect the heart, prevent osteoporosis, keeps the skin hydrated, provide a general feeling of well being etc. it is essential to take good care of the ovaries. Holistic medicine will help do just that. It is tailored to individual woman's problems and lifestyle. It will not interfere with conventional treatments but in fact complement it. There are no side effects and since it involves changes in lifestyle, weight management, stress reduction etc, it will also promote good health.
