Ovaries: Cysts and related issues [General Discussion]

I’ve been on Cilest birth control for over a year now. About eight or nine months ago, they found a clear cyst on my left ovary. It was only about half a centimeter back then. Within four months, it grew to 3.5 cm, and at my last exam, it hit roughly 4.3 cm.
My gynecologist told me to stop taking Cilest since I was using it for contraception and gave me a referral for a CA 125 test, which came back normal. Because my doctor was incredibly blunt—basically offering zero explanation about what kind of cyst this actually is—I went to see a private specialist instead. She performed an ultrasound, showed me everything looked normal, and insisted it’s just a water cyst, so there's no reason to panic. However, she didn't mention anything about stopping the Cilest. Now I’m stuck. I don't know who to listen to. Should I keep taking the Cilest? If I recall correctly, oral contraceptives are supposed to have a positive effect on cysts.
Are there any natural methods that might cause a cyst to rupture, like specific teas or something similar?

Hi!
I'm wondering if an ovarian cyst can mimic early pregnancy signs? Specifically, is it possible for a cyst to cause most of those symptoms, leading someone to suspect they're pregnant when it's actually a cyst? I've been dealing with various issues over the last week or two, but after reading some previous posts and considering the pain in my left ovary—which really only started two days ago after having a little bit of soda 😕—I thought maybe it could be a cyst. My gynecological exam from two months ago was normal. Thanks for any input! 🙂

goldenmoose25 said:I’ve been on Cilest birth control for over a year now. About eight or nine months ago, they found a clear cyst on my left ovary. It was only about half a centimeter back then. Within four months, it grew to 3.5 cm, and at my last exam, it hit roughly 4.3 cm.
My gynecologist told me to stop taking Cilest since I was using it for contraception and gave me a referral for a CA 125 test, which came back normal. Because my doctor was incredibly blunt—basically offering zero explanation about what kind of cyst this actually is—I went to see a private specialist instead. She performed an ultrasound, showed me everything looked normal, and insisted it’s just a water cyst, so there's no reason to panic. However, she didn't mention anything about stopping the Cilest. Now I’m stuck. I don't know who to listen to. Should I keep taking the Cilest? If I recall correctly, oral contraceptives are supposed to have a positive effect on cysts.
Are there any natural methods that might cause a cyst to rupture, like specific teas or something similar?

Here’s my own experience: I took Cilest for ten years straight without a single break because every gynecologist I saw (and believe me, I have cycled through hundreds of them) told me I didn't need to take a break. And wouldn't you know it? I always ended up with a cyst on my left ovary. One time, it grew all the way to 7 cm, and my doctor sent me off for pre-op tests in a total panic! But since I had already had surgery on my right ovary as a teenager—where they ended up removing almost the entire thing—😠 I just told them, "Nope, you aren't putting me under the knife this time." So, I sought a second opinion. The doctor I see today told me, "Let's just wait and see. Take some medical leave, rest up, don't lift anything heavy..." and then we scheduled a follow-up for three months later. After that check-up, the cyst had shrunk drastically (it was down to about 1 cm)!

Regardless of whether I'm on birth control, I always seem to have a cyst on that ovary. The size fluctuates, though occasionally—though it's rare—there isn't one at all. About six months ago, my doctor diagnosed me with a multilocular cyst, which somehow persisted despite the pill until my last check-up, when it was identified as unilocular—I think it's a water cyst. During those six months after finding the multilocular one, I just said, "Okay, enough is enough." I turned to herbal remedies. My go-to blend is calendula, vervain, mugwort, and nettle. Did that specific tea combo work? Who knows! But the multilocular ones are gone, even if this so-called "ordinary" one has stayed the same size (38mm).

For the last nine cycles, I've dealt with unbearable migraines on the first day of my period (that's specifically that window when hormone levels drop during my seven-day break from the pill).

I suggested to my gynecologist that we just "toss" the Cilest, since the pills seem to be causing these cysts to grow, hit a peak, and then eventually shrink anyway. I'm still sticking to my herbal tea blend, but I've also started taking evening primrose oil (1300mg), Vitamin E (400), and hemp tincture to help balance out my hormones—which, by the way, is something doctors in America, the UK, and Germany often prescribe for cases involving fibroids.

I'm really hoping my next check-up shows that my plant-and-vitamin cocktail is doing its job. Even if nothing else happens, I just want the cyst to stay stable, because nature definitely takes its sweet time!

Give it a shot; you've got nothing to lose!

bluecrane16 said:My gynecologist mentioned to me that most women actually deal with cysts, even if they don't realize it at all, because they're just those typical functional fluid-filled ones. I went through it myself last year, where they usually just seem to burst right in the middle of my cycle. For instance, I'll go in for an ultrasound at the start of my period and there's a cyst clearly visible, but then by the middle or end of the cycle when I get checked again, it's just completely gone. From what I've gathered, with these specific types, you don't really see any dark discharge or anything unusual like that.

My doctor found two so-called chocolate cysts on my ultrasound. Now she wants to do a 4D ultrasound to be sure, though she did mention the possibility of needing a laparoscopy.

Daniel White15👍
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. How long have you been drinking these teas, and how often per day? What’s the dosage? I’m definitely going to start; I really want to avoid surgery if I can. It’s been too long since my last check-up, and I’m terrified the cyst has grown.
I’m still on Cilest, mainly for contraception—it’s the only thing that makes me feel secure enough.
Where do you pick up your teas? At health food stores or somewhere like CVS?
Honestly, I think the cyst is down to my stress levels and this non-stop, frantic lifestyle. Too much nervous energy. I really need to get a handle on that.🙂

Feel free to discuss tea here where you can 😉

Just a quick heads-up here: please avoid typing out the names of any herbs or dropping links in your posts. 🙂

goldenmoose25 said:Daniel White15👍
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. How long have you been drinking these teas, and how often per day? What’s the dosage? I’m definitely going to start; I really want to avoid surgery if I can. It’s been too long since my last check-up, and I’m terrified the cyst has grown.
I’m still on Cilest, mainly for contraception—it’s the only thing that makes me feel secure enough.
Where do you pick up your teas? At health food stores or somewhere like CVS?
Honestly, I think the cyst is down to my stress levels and this non-stop, frantic lifestyle. Too much nervous energy. I really need to get a handle on that.🙂

Hi! Here is some more great news from my side—there is NOTHING left on my left ovary!!! And get this, it’s been there for a year, despite all those hormones I was taking. I’ve been drinking herbal tea for four months straight now—I mean, every single day. My routine is simple: I brew about a liter in the morning, let it steep covered for about 20 minutes, strain it, pour it into a liter bottle, and take it with me when I head out to work. Honestly, whenever I get thirsty, I reach for my tea instead of plain water. What's in the mix? In that one liter, I add a teaspoon of calendula, a teaspoon of chamomile, a teaspoon of valerian, and a teaspoon of nettle leaf (you can find the root too, but for our specific issues, the leaf is what you want). I buy everything from local herbal apothecaries; I just feel like I can trust them the most. On top of all that, I’m also taking evening primrose oil and Vitamin E. Just a heads up though—be prepared to be running to the bathroom a lot! 😁.

I totally agree—stress and everything that hitches a ride with it really does a number on our skin. It’s just science, right? You get those stress hormones spiking, which then trigger a whole domino effect of hormonal imbalances, and suddenly, you're facing all that trouble. It's like a vicious cycle!

Was it some magic herbal tea or just the stars aligning? Honestly, who cares! All I know is that my tenant—who was absolutely nothing but pure trouble—has finally been gone for over two years now. I’m pretty convinced those herbal brews did the trick and cleared the air.

Good luck!

Daniel White15 said:Hi! Here is some more great news from my side—there is NOTHING left on my left ovary!!! And get this, it’s been there for a year, despite all those hormones I was taking. I’ve been drinking herbal tea for four months straight now—I mean, every single day. My routine is simple: I brew about a liter in the morning, let it steep covered for about 20 minutes, strain it, pour it into a liter bottle, and take it with me when I head out to work. Honestly, whenever I get thirsty, I reach for my tea instead of plain water. What's in the mix? In that one liter, I add a teaspoon of calendula, a teaspoon of chamomile, a teaspoon of valerian, and a teaspoon of nettle leaf (you can find the root too, but for our specific issues, the leaf is what you want). I buy everything from local herbal apothecaries; I just feel like I can trust them the most. On top of all that, I’m also taking evening primrose oil and Vitamin E. Just a heads up though—be prepared to be running to the bathroom a lot! 😁.

I totally agree—stress and everything that hitches a ride with it really does a number on our skin. It’s just science, right? You get those stress hormones spiking, which then trigger a whole domino effect of hormonal imbalances, and suddenly, you're facing all that trouble. It's like a vicious cycle!

Was it some magic herbal tea or just the stars aligning? Honestly, who cares! All I know is that my tenant—who was absolutely nothing but pure trouble—has finally been gone for over two years now. I’m pretty convinced those herbal brews did the trick and cleared the air.

Good luck!

I’m genuinely happy to hear you’ve managed to get everything back on track—and honestly, the point about stress is spot on. We rarely even realize the sheer scale of what stress does to us or the damage it can actually cause. It’s all just one massive, messy chain reaction, I suppose.

...So, I finally pulled the trigger and scheduled the laparoscopy. My gynecologist says it’s best to just get it out of there. I had my CA 125 levels checked, and they're slightly elevated—it's supposed to be under 35, but I'm sitting at 39.80. I'm a little nervous, 😲 even though they say it's nothing to lose sleep over. Does anyone have advice regarding the laparoscopy itself? I heard it's done under general anesthesia... how long do you usually stay in the hospital, how much sick leave should I take, and what's the best stuff to pack for the hospital stay?

jadescout56 said:...So, I finally pulled the trigger and scheduled the laparoscopy. My gynecologist says it’s best to just get it out of there. I had my CA 125 levels checked, and they're slightly elevated—it's supposed to be under 35, but I'm sitting at 39.80. I'm a little nervous, 😲 even though they say it's nothing to lose sleep over. Does anyone have advice regarding the laparoscopy itself? I heard it's done under general anesthesia... how long do you usually stay in the hospital, how much sick leave should I take, and what's the best stuff to pack for the hospital stay?

There's actually a whole thread about laparoscopy, go take a look, there's plenty of info there.
Just ask if there's anything else you need to know.😉

Jeremy Kern said:There's actually a whole thread about laparoscopy, go take a look, there's plenty of info there.
Just ask if there's anything else you need to know.😉

Hi 🙂

So, I’m checking in here too... had my exam today, and they found a clear cyst on my right ovary measuring 4.3x4.5cm. I have to get some bloodwork done first so the doctor can recommend a birth control pill (though he suggested Yaz), and then I have a follow-up in two weeks. Honestly, it surprises me that he scheduled me for an 🤷 so early. That right ovary really hurts when touched, so I'm just hoping it clears up on its own...

Hi!! So, I’m 23 and I went to see my OBGYN today, and they found a cyst (maybe two?) measuring about 7cm x 3cm... The doctor told me to get some blood work done—specifically the markers—which I'm doing tomorrow morning... He also prescribed 5 mg of Provera for me to take for three months, specifically from day 16 to day 21 of my cycle, since things have been a bit irregular when I'm stressed... My husband and I have actually been trying to conceive, and I mentioned that to the doctor, but then I saw in the instructions for the Provera that you shouldn't get pregnant while taking it... Does that mean we can't even try for a baby for the next three months?🤷 And if this medication is meant to trigger my period, does that imply that any attempts we made during these three months won't actually work?...😕 Is it even possible to get pregnant while on Provera since it's a hormone, and what happens if I actually do get pregnant??😕 I honestly don't understand any of this...??!! 😕😕😕 😕

Can cysts actually pop up again after a pregnancy? And when’s the best time to get an ultrasound on my ovaries if I’m worried about them? I've been feeling this weird discomfort around my left ovary for a while now, and every single time my period ends, the pain starts kicking in hard... It's definitely more on the left side than the right. It's not a bladder infection either; I already had a urine culture done and everything came back clear...
And could those cysts cause swollen lymph nodes in my groin?

Roger Morgan2 said:Can cysts actually pop up again after a pregnancy? And when’s the best time to get an ultrasound on my ovaries if I’m worried about them? I've been feeling this weird discomfort around my left ovary for a while now, and every single time my period ends, the pain starts kicking in hard... It's definitely more on the left side than the right. It's not a bladder infection either; I already had a urine culture done and everything came back clear...
And could those cysts cause swollen lymph nodes in my groin?

Cysts can honestly show up at pretty much any time. For the most accurate results, you should aim to get your ultrasound done between day 5 and day 7 of your cycle—though sometimes even day 3 is recommended.

I haven't heard of cysts causing swollen lymph nodes before. Honestly, just go get that ultrasound done, and then you'll have some real answers! You might want to grab a standard blood test too, since swollen nodes can sometimes point toward inflammation or other underlying issues.

Best,

Daniel White15 said:Cysts can honestly show up at pretty much any time. For the most accurate results, you should aim to get your ultrasound done between day 5 and day 7 of your cycle—though sometimes even day 3 is recommended.

I haven't heard of cysts causing swollen lymph nodes before. Honestly, just go get that ultrasound done, and then you'll have some real answers! You might want to grab a standard blood test too, since swollen nodes can sometimes point toward inflammation or other underlying issues.

Best,

Based on what my own gynecologists have told me—and I actually see a few different specialists because I'm dealing with PCOS—it seems like the follicular phase is really the sweet spot for getting an ultrasound done. Sometimes they might even want to perform a verification around the time you miss ovulation, but generally speaking, right after your period ends is probably your best bet.

They taught me the same thing—that you should schedule your ultrasound during the follicular phase, basically as soon as possible after your period ends. I always aim for somewhere between day 5 and day 9 or 10.
That’s when things look most realistic. Plus, there's a chance some kind of cyst just cleared out with your period, so you can see everything clearly before the hormones start kicking in again.

I'm trying to look up some women's health stuff, but I'm honestly pretty lost...😢

Quick question...

Diagnosis is a clear cyst on the ovary, about 6x3.
At a hospital in Chicago.
How long does someone usually stay in the hospital for surgery?
Roughly? Like 5 days? 10 days?
They aren't sure yet if they'll go with laparoscopy or if they'll have to do an open surgery.😢
If she was admitted today, and they said they probably won't operate until Monday?

Help...

Not sure where this belongs, so I'll just drop it here. Might be a stupid question. 😁

I'm in my second round of Logest after taking a month off. Before the break, I was on it for six months. Usually, right around the middle of my cycle—when I should be ovulating—I feel pain in the ovary where I have a 2-3 cm cyst. Is it possible the pills are causing that? Do they affect cysts at all? Actually, the cyst was the main reason I was prescribed the pills in the first place.