Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How to Reduce Risk Factors
• Method 2 of 2: Managing Ovarian Cyst Pain
• Tips

An ovarian cyst can not only cause severe pain, but also be a symptom of another medical condition. Therefore, if you often develop ovarian cysts, be sure to inform your gynecologist about it. An ovarian cyst may appear after normal ovulation. These cysts are called functional cysts. While this type of cyst cannot be prevented, the risk of developing problem cysts can be reduced and medical methods can be used to treat or remove painful ovarian cysts.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How to Reduce Risk Factors

1. 1 Quit smoking. Smoking not only increases the risk of ovarian cysts, but also increases the likelihood of developing other negative conditions, such as cancer or emphysema. If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit this bad habit. There are drugs and programs to help you quit smoking.
2. 2 Lose weight. Being overweight increases your risk of developing a condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which increases the likelihood of an ovarian cyst. If you are overweight, do your best to regain a healthy weight.
   • For women with PCOS, it is enough just to lose 10% of their total weight to solve this problem (which is quite real).
   • Keep a food diary to keep track of the amount of food you eat.
   • Reduce your calorie intake to burn more than you eat.
   • Eat more fruits and vegetables.
   • Exercise at least half an hour a day, five days a week.
3. 3 Start taking birth control. Doctors often recommend birth control pills to prevent ovarian cysts from forming. Birth control pills can also lower your risk of ovarian cancer. Talk to your doctor if you want to reduce your chances of developing ovarian cysts with birth control pills. But keep in mind that birth control pills have side effects too.
   • Contraceptives suppress ovarian function and prevent ovulation. For this reason, the proper effect can be achieved from tablets, plasters, rings, injections and implants.
4. 4 Treat conditions that increase your risk of ovarian cysts. Certain diseases increase the likelihood of ovarian cysts forming, so it is very important to treat them. The risk of developing an ovarian cyst is significantly higher if you have the following conditions:
   • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - This is a disease due to which cysts form in the ovaries and ovulation stops. With PCOS, women often have high levels of male hormones.
   • Endometriosis - with this disease, the cells of the uterus grow outside of it. The symptoms of this disease are pain, excessive menstruation and infertility.
5. 5 Determine if the problem is with fertility medications. Some medications that stimulate ovulation can increase your risk of ovarian cysts. Always check with your doctor before stopping any medication. Taking Clostilbegit (infertility medicine) increases the likelihood of an ovarian cyst. This medicine may also be marketed under names such as "Clomed" or "Clomiphene".

Method 2 of 2: Managing Ovarian Cyst Pain

1. 1 Make an appointment with your gynecologist. If you experience pain or other side effects of an ovarian cyst, be sure to report them to your gynecologist. The gynecologist may advise you to wait and observe the situation. Your doctor may recommend that you get an ultrasound scan a few weeks after the cyst is found to confirm it is there.
2. 2 Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve cyst pain. Before taking, carefully read the instructions for use of the drug. Check with your doctor if you are unsure or unsure of how much medicine to take.
3. 3 Drink soothing herbal teas. A cup of herbal tea can help relieve some of the pain caused by an ovarian cyst. The warmth of the tea will help relax your muscles and keep you distracted. Drink one of the following types of tea:
   • chamomile tea;
   • Mint tea;
   • tea with raspberry leaves;
   • decaffeinated green tea.
4. 4 Apply warmth. Apply a heating pad to your abdomen to relieve some pain from an ovarian cyst. To do this, take a bottle of warm water or an electric heating pad. Place the heating pad on your lower abdomen for about 10-15 minutes.
   • Take breaks between treatments to avoid overheating your skin.
5. 5 Try to relax. Stress and tension can increase pain, so take some time to relax. List of activities that are great for relieving stress:
   • playing with a pet;
   • walk in the fresh air;
   • taking a bubble bath;
   • keeping a diary;
   • call a friend;
   • listening to music;
   • watching a funny movie.
6. 6 Talk to your doctor about surgery. If the cysts are too large or cause other symptoms, surgery may be needed to remove them. The need for surgery may also arise if the cyst is cancerous. Ovarian cysts can be removed in two ways:
   • Laparoscopy - If the cyst is small, then the surgeon will make a small incision and remove the cyst using a laparoscopic camera.
   • Laparotomy - if the cyst is large, then the doctor will have to make a larger incision to remove the cyst.

Tips

• Note that cysts are often functional. This type of cyst often does not cause painful sensations. If you have severe pain due to an ovarian cyst, it may be due to another type of cyst that needs medical treatment or surgical removal.