Women with Insulin Resistance and obesity-related Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) have cysts that pose different levels of concern.
Ovarian cysts fall into various categories. In the United States, ovarian
cysts of some type are prevalent in nearly all pre-menopausal women and
14.8 percent of post-menopausal women (1). These cysts are fluid-filled
sacs located within or on the outside wall of the ovary. The majority of
ovarian cysts are benign; they cannot be prevented and frequently will
go away without treatment. Some cysts grow painfully large and must be
removed. Studies have also shown that women who are past menopause and
who have ovarian cysts have a higher risk of ovarian cancer (2).
Ovarian Cyst Symptoms
Ovarian cyst symptoms range widely in makeup and degree of seriousness.
Some women with ovarian cysts do not experience any symptoms. Others suffer
from abdominal pain, weight gain, pain during sexual intercourse, breast
tenderness, painful menstrual periods, abnormal bleeding and/or nausea
or vomiting. Cysts may bleed, rupture or twist the ovary, causing significant
pain (3). The symptoms a woman experiences may vary in accordance with
the type of cyst that she has.
Types of Ovarian Cysts
- Functional
- Endometriomas
- Cystadenomas
- Dermoid Cysts
- Polycystic Ovaries
Functional Cysts
The most common ovarian cysts are functional cysts, which form during a
woman's normal menstrual cycle. Each month, the ovary grows tiny sacs that
hold the eggs. After a sac breaks open and releases the egg, the sac normally
dissolves. On some occasions, however, the sac doesn't break open, but
continues to grow, or it might release the egg and then fail to dissolve.
The resulting growth is a functional cyst. These cysts usually disappear
naturally within a few weeks or months. Functional cysts are almost never
associated with cancer (4).
Endometriomas, Cystadenomas and Dermoid Cysts
Some women experience other, more serious ovarian cysts, such as endometriomas,
cystadenomas, and dermoid cysts. Endometriomas develop in women who have
endometriosis whereby tissue from the lining of the uterus attaches to
an ovary and forms a growth. Other cysts include cystadenomas and dermoid
cysts, which develop from cells in the ovary. Cystadenomas are filled with
a liquid or a sticky fluid. Dermoid cysts may contain hair, bone, teeth
and cartilage. All of these cysts may become large and painful and usually
require removal (5).
Polycystic Ovaries
Women who suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have multiple small cysts
located on their ovaries. In a picture of a polycystic ovary, the ovary
is larger than normal, with cysts resembling a string of pearls located
around the edge. Fertility with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an issue;
sufferers frequently experience difficulty with conception. The root
cause of PCOS is Insulin Resistance, a condition that occurs as a result
of the inability of the body's cells to properly utilize insulin.
Detection of Ovarian Cysts
Most women with ovarian cysts don't exhibit symptoms. Their physicians
may detect the presence of the cysts through a routine pelvic exam or an
ultrasound, and verify it with a check of hormone levels.
Treatment of Ovarian Cysts
A physician may choose one of three tactics to treat ovarian cysts. Initially,
the physician may choose to watch and wait. The cyst might go away on its
own, which is the case with most functional cysts. If the cyst is fairly
large, the doctor may choose to prescribe birth control pills, in order
to alter the hormone levels, which may cause the cyst to shrink and disappear.
The final alternative for treatment is surgical removal of the cyst.
Prevention of Ovarian Cysts
Although it may not be possible to totally prevent ovarian cysts, you can
take certain steps to improve your overall health that may be helpful in
reducing the occurrence of ovarian cysts. These steps include improving
your overall diet, increasing your exercise, reducing your stress levels,
and balancing your hormonal systems. These are important steps in the treatment
of PCOS and its underlying Insulin Resistance, as well as in reducing the
risk of other ovarian cysts.
Because there is no single solution that addresses all the symptoms
of PCOS or Insulin Resistance, you must rely on a multi-faceted approach
to reversing these conditions. A complete system, including nutraceuticals
(vitamins, herbs and minerals that are disease specific), a realistic exercise
program, nutritional guidance and a support network that will help you
change unhealthy lifestyle choices, is required to address the issues presented
by these syndromes.
Polycystic ovaries can be caused by Insulin Resistance-related
obesity, which the Insulite PCOS System has been scientifically
designed to reverse by balancing glucose, insulin and hormone levels, thus
aiding weight loss in combination with a nutritious diet and regular exercise.
One ingredient is magnesium, which decreases high blood glucose levels
as well as excess insulin secretion - major factors in cyst formation.
Overweight women do not have a monopoly on PCOS, however, as females of a healthy weight and even lean women can also suffer from this condition.
You may be interested in some of our Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) about PCOS and the Insulite PCOS System.
(1)
Helm, C. William. Ovarian Cysts. eMedicine, December 23, 2004.
(2)
The Federal Government Source for Women's Health Information,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, January, 2005.
(3)
Dunne, Dr. Nancy. Natural Health Solutions for PCOS, Ovarian Cysts. 2002-2005.
(4)
The Federal Government Source for Women's Health Information,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, January, 2005.
(5)
Women's Health, 2000.
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