estria

Hello Carly,

That other cyst that was on your ovary is a perfectly normal follicular cyst that would have gone away even without the birth control pills. Birth control pills USED to be the standard for trying to shrink cysts even though there was absolutely NO proof that it worked. After a number of studies, they now know that birth control pills are no better than simple watchful waiting for shrinking ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts come and go as part of a woman's normal cycle. They contain your eggs and about 10-14 days after the start of your period, the most dominant follicle (or cyst) bursts open to release an egg into the fallopian tube. After the release of the egg, the shell of the cyst regresses back into the ovary and the other cysts also regress .. only to begin to grow again at the start of the next period. This is how our body works. Sometimes these cysts can sometimes grow a bit too large .. either a follicular cyst that perhaps did not regress from the previous cycle and continues to grow or a corpus luteal cyst (the shell after ovulation) that plugs up again and fills with fluid. When a large cyst bursts, it realeases fluid (serous liquid) into the abdomen and this is what causes the pain (the fluid irritates the lining of the abdomen). Eventually the fluid is absorbed by the body although during this time you can feel very bloated and it can be quite tender and painful. If you are able to take it, ibuprofen like Advil or Motrin will help A LOT, as will a heating pad, a warm bath and peppermint tea with a bit of honey (mint tea helps with the bloating .. if you don't like mint tea, try cammomile). It can sometimes take up to a week for the pain to completely go away so be patient with yourself.

I hope this has helped you a bit.

Estria