| Many people will be asking what is a chocolate cyst. I | | | | There are a number of proven natural and non |
| had never heard of one until I worked with a girl who | | | | surgical treatments that a woman can implement |
| suffered the most terrible period pains ever and | | | | herself, which all help to shrink the cyst and alleviate |
| would sometimes almost faint with the pain. | | | | the pain. These consist of a combination of such |
| Unfortunately by the time she was diagnosed, her | | | | things are dietary changes, nutrient support and |
| cyst had reached the size of a large grapefruit and | | | | stress management. |
| complications had set in and damaged one of her | | | | Dietary changes. It is important to cut back on fat |
| ovaries. Since she was only in her early twenties, this | | | | levels since any fact stored in the body produces a |
| was a considerable blow to her. | | | | haven for the production of estrogen, which if left |
| So what is a chocolate cyst and how does it get its | | | | untreated will further throw the menstrual cycle in |
| name? Chocolate cysts are derived from a condition | | | | chaos. So it is recommended to cut out dairy, beef |
| called endometriosis and it affects women during | | | | and chicken and increase nutrient rich food such as |
| their child bearing years. It occurs when the | | | | green vegetables, soy, cold water fish and fibre, |
| endometriosis,or lining of the uterus, detaches itself | | | | which will all help to balance the hormones and |
| and begins to grow outside of the uterus. This lining | | | | remove excess estrogen from the body. Try also to |
| or tissue can then implant itself anywhere within the | | | | eat more oily fish such as salmon, tuna and halibut, |
| abdominal cavity. The endometriosis may invade the | | | | which contains omega 3 that acts a natural |
| ovary, producing blood filled cysts called | | | | anti-inflammatory. |
| endometriomas. Over time this blood darkens and | | | | There are a wide variety of vitamins and minerals |
| becomes thick and sticky almost like chocolate, | | | | that can be used to help top up any deficiencies in |
| hence the term "chocolate cyst". The cysts can vary | | | | your everyday diet such as calcium and magnesium |
| in size from a small pea to the size of a grapefruit. | | | | whilst herbal teas, such as camomile or mint tea,can |
| Endometriosis varies considerably from one person to | | | | be a great comfort too, since they contain calming |
| another and whilst some women will not suffer any | | | | and soothing properties. |
| pain, others like my friend are doubled up each month | | | | It is known that emotions can play a large part in |
| with pain. Endometriosis can irritate surrounding areas | | | | creating the growth of ovarian cysts, and stress in |
| and cause scar tissue to be formed, which in turn can | | | | particular is known to cause problems. Modern day |
| merge with all of the pelvic organs and even cover | | | | living creates a lot of stress and it is particularly |
| them completely, which may cause damage and | | | | important if you have the symptoms of an ovarian |
| infertility. | | | | cyst, to try and de-stress. Take time out of your |
| A chocolate cyst can only be accurately diagnosed | | | | daily routine to sit and relax over a cup of tea and |
| by means of a laparoscopy and a surgeon can | | | | take your time with it. In addition relax in a warm |
| actually treat the endometriosis during this process | | | | bath filled with some fragrant bubbles and just enjoy |
| by cutting away the diseased tissue and draining the | | | | the moment and forget any worries. Exercise is great |
| cysts. Unfortunately an over enthusiastic surgeon can | | | | for relieving stress as well and pilates and yoga are |
| sometimes remove too much healthy tissue which | | | | particularly effective as they comprise of gentle, |
| can have a detrimental effect on fertility. | | | | stretching exercises which will help relieve pelvic and |
| Alternatively, and depending upon the size of the | | | | abdominal pressure. |
| cyst, doctors may prescribe a course of hormone | | | | Imagine a life free from the agonies of irregular, |
| tablets to simulate either pregnancy or menopause | | | | painful periods. Think how great it would be to wake |
| which are the conditions that are known to slow | | | | up each morning feeling reinvigorated and ready to |
| down endometriomas and means they will not keep | | | | take on the world. Wouldn' t it be wonderful not to |
| growing during each menstrual cycle. It will also | | | | feel in low spirits and irritable with everyone. Well you |
| reduce the size of the endometriosis tissue over | | | | can get your life back and become a happy, healthier |
| time. | | | | person by implementing the above suggestions. |