The Ovarian Cysts - Their Symptoms And Treatment

Situated in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus, the ovaries belong to the Female reproductive system. Having the aspect of an almond, the ovaries are responsible with the production of Female hormones and eggs.

The Female experiences every month during the menstrual cycle a process called ovulation. In this process, the egg is traveling from the ovary to the uterus, through the fallopian tube. It is also known that the ovaries produce progesterone and estrogen. These are hormones that have a role in regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy and also influence woman's development of breasts, body hair and body shape.

On the ovary can appear a lot of types of cysts. During the menstrual cycle, there can appear cysts, that are called functional cysts. Woman's ovaries grow each month little cysts, that have the role of holding the eggs, and when the egg is mature, it will be released from the fluid-filled sac that forms the cyst. Then, the egg travels for fertilization through the fallopian tube and the sac dissolves.

A follicular cyst is a type of a functional cyst, and it appears when the sac continues to grow and doesn't break open to release the egg. Frequently, this cyst goes away in one up to three months.

If, after revealing the egg the cyst doesn't dissolve and seals off, fluid will build up inside of it. That is called a corpus luteum cyst, and usually disappears after a few weeks without any treatment. It is possible that this cyst will cause pain and will bleed, and it can grow up to four inches. There are some known drugs such as Clomid or Serophene that can raise the risk of developing this type of cysts.

Other types of cysts are endometriomas, which appear when tissue from the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. These cysts can be painful during menstruation or sex, and they look like a form of growth, attached to the ovary.

Cystadenomas are cysts that develop from the cells situated on the outer surface of the ovary. They can cause pain, become large, and are often filled with a sticky gel or a watery fluid.

Dermoid cysts can form from the cells situated in the ovary that are able to make teeth, hair and other growing tissues, are large and painful.

Cysts can form also where there are polycystic ovaries .There, the sac doesn't break open to release the egg, follicles are growing continuously inside the ovary when the cycle repeats, determining the apparition of cysts.

Very often, women do not know they have a cyst, because they have no symptoms, but sometimes, a cyst may cause weight gain, abnormal bleeding and painful menstrual periods, pain or pressure in the abdomen or during sex, breast tenderness or vomitation.

Other symptoms are also sudden severe abdominal pain, faintness, dizziness or rapid breathing. It is very important to go to the doctor as soon as you discover any of these symptoms.

Because there are not always symptoms, cysts are discovered by chance, usually during a routine pelvic exam. The doctor will perform an ultrasound control, and so, he will find information about the shape, size and composition of the cyst. The doctor might want to check the hormones level as well, or to take more tests.

By taking a blood test, the doctor will measure the substance called CA-125, because high level of that protein may indicate ovarian cancer. The CA-125 test is usually recommended for women aged over 35, who have a cyst partially solid. It is also known that non-cancerous diseases, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis can cause an increased level of CA-125 protein.

If there is found a cyst, there are a few steps that must be made. Sometimes, you don't need to do anything than wait and get more examinations, because it is possible the cyst to disappear. This happens especially at young women, who have no symptoms, and have a fluid filled-cyst.

If the cyst doesn't go away in a few months, causes pain, got larger or looks unusual at ultrasonic examinations, the doctor may need to take it off.

A surgery procedure is laparoscopy. This is suitable for small and benign cysts. The doctor is making a small incision above or below the navel, and a small instrument, like a telescope and which has some tiny tools is inserted into the abdomen, and the cyst can be taken off.

Laparotomy is used when the cyst is larger and suspicious. The doctor is making bigger incisions in the stomach, so he will be able to remove the cyst. If the analyses will show that the cyst is cancerous, the doctor might need to remove the ovaries and other affected tissues too.

Birth control pills are a solution that the doctor may prescribe if a woman frequently develops cysts, to prevent her ovulating and developing new ones.

It is very important for women to take periodically medical exams, because often cysts produce no symptoms, and are found only by chance.

For more info about pain from ovarian cyst or even about ruptured ovarian cyst please review this page http://www.ovarian-cysts-center.com/

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - Living With PCOS

Affecting between 5-10% of women in the United States, PCOS (a.k.a. Stein-Leventhal Syndrome) refers to a condition that primarily affects those between the ages of 15 to 30 years, and occurs when there is an imbalance within a woman's endocrine system resulting in cystic build up within the ovaries. The imbalance includes higher than normal blood levels of estrogen, Testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and decreased levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). As a result of this imbalance, under-developed follicles accumulate in the ovaries, rather than maturing and releasing during ovulation. As the follicles accumulate, cysts are formed producing pelvic pain. Further, due to lack of ovulation, those with PCOS often suffer from pelvic pain, irregular menses (periods), and may have difficulty getting pregnant.

Insulin resistance appears to play a key role in PCOS. In addition to other hormones, insulin helps regulate ovarian function. When someone has insulin resistance, cells throughout the body do not readily respond to the insulin within the blood. As a result, the insulin level within the blood remains high. These high levels may contribute to lack of ovulation, high androgen levels, infertility, and early pregnancy loss. High androgen levels correlate with weight gain, acne, decreased breast size, and increased hair growth in areas that are typical to males (face, chest, abdomen, and back). This is referred to as Hirsutism. Having insulin resistance also contributes to high levels of glucose and lipid levels within the blood, placing a person at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Pharmacologic Treatment

As there is no cure for this condition, the primary goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms of PCOS. Pharmacologic options to treat symptoms, available from your health provider, include birth control pills, Spironolactone (a drug that promotes fluid loss .a.k.a. diuretic), and Flutamide ( which blocks the activity of Testosterone). Additionally, Metformin (Glucophage) has been shown to lower insulin levels, cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and helps women regain regular menstrual cycles.

If pregnancy is desired, fertility drugs are usually considered. These include Comiphene (a.k.a. Clomid- which induces ovulation) and other more-potent ovulation-inducing medications. These drugs are not without risk, and must be prescribed and carefully monitored by a licensed healthcare professional who has special training in the field of reproductive endocrinology.

Alternative Treatments

Studies have shown that weight reduction (through dietary changes and regular exercise), as little as 5% below baseline, can effectively treat menstrual irregularities, problems getting pregnant, and high insulin levels. Dietary measures include limiting simple carbohydrates, and focusing on small frequent meals high in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, common in the Mediterranean diet (oily fish, nuts, and olive oil) have been shown to greatly benefit patients with PCOS.

Additionally, moderate exercise, of 30-60 minutes per day, should be incorporated into a treatment plan. Recommendations include walking, jogging, swimming, or biking. However, any exercise that causes you to reach your target heart rate for the recommended time (50-85% of resting heart rate) can be beneficial. The American Heart Association recommends the following target heart rates based on age:

Age                  Target Heart Rate
20 years         100-170 beats per minute
25 years         98-166 beats per minute
30 years         95-162 beats per minute
35 years         93-157 beats per minute
40 years         90-153 beats per minute
45 years         88-149 beats per minute
50 years         85-145 beats per minute
55 years         83-140 beats per minute
60 years         80-136 beats per minute
65 years         78-132 beats per minute
70 years         75-128 beats per minute

Finally, alternative treatment options for those with increased facial hair growth include measures such as shaving, bleaching, electrolysis, and laser therapy. A small Turkish study indicated drinking spearmint tea, twice a day, may also help to reduce hirsutism. Currently, studies using acupuncture to treat PCOS are being conducted. As always, contact your physician or nurse practitioner to discuss the best treatment option for you.

Susan Quinn, R.N. B.S.N -

http://www.wellnesscenterusa.com

Endometriomas And Laparotomies

A continually growing cyst in a woman who has been on oral contraceptives for at least several months should be investigated to rule out tumor. Because women on oral contraceptives should not ovulate, they should not develop functional cysts, therefore we're going to be looking at other types of cysts - the endometriomas, the cystadenomas, the dermoid cysts, occasionally polycystic ovaries, and rarely the cancerous cysts.

Another thing, intrauterine devices, so things like Marina by Berlex, the old Copper Sevens, various intrauterine devices which are pieces of plastic, plastic and metal, plastic and metal secreting hormone, put into the uterus which through a complex mechanism causes no - basically causes no conception. And these are not - and I repeat are not associated with any increase in cysts, any increase in tumors. There absolutely is - it's a non-event. Some women have a problem with intrauterine devices causing pain, and I don't doubt that.

I've had to remove many of them, because the uterus contracts and it can cause pain. It doesn't have to be right in the middle, can cause a right side, left side, but it is not causing a pathologic problem, something that's going to develop into something. I've noticed some of your questions here, and I think some of these are important to hit on as part of this. And one question by one of your listeners was, am I able to have children if I have ovarian cysts? Absolutely, there's no decrease in fertility if you have a diagnosis of ovarian cysts. The only case would be again, the endometriomas which are going to be - which is endometriosis in the wrong place if it's associated with infertility. We can treat that, we can treat it with medication, reverse that process, and start the ovulation. The other case would be polycystic ovaries. These are not usually large cysts, but again the polycystic ovaries are associated with infertility. Again, treatable, and in fact in cases where just diet is not going to reverse if there are certain drugs that can cause ovulation, or you can take Clomiphene, Clomid, it causes one to ovulate.

It can break that vicious cycle of not ovulating, and oftentimes it's very effective. Pregnancy usually does occur, and in rare cases there are certain surgical procedures on the ovary, very simple, that can stop the polycystic ovary disease symptom of not having periods. So that's reversible. So how hard is it to get pregnant with a cyst? It's easy. I mean you better have a cyst or you probably are pregnant because you're going to have to have a follicular cyst, although you might not see it.

A large cyst, some of these other cysts as we said can prevent pregnancy, but once they're removed or taken care of, it's not going to affect fertility, it's not going to affect a pregnancy outcome. You can have normal periods after a cyst. The only time your periods are usually abnormal is with endometriomas or polycystic ovary disease which we've talked about, and can be rectified. One woman notes that she had a cyst on her left ovary and she's 12 weeks pregnant, and wanted to know if this will affect the unborn child.

Dr Christopher Freville ponders upon the question - she has given us a little bit of information. We already know from our discussion, what have we learned today, that cysts on an ovary are common. In fact they're often necessary because the corpus luteum cyst of pregnancy is a functioning cyst necessary for the pregnancy and will not affect the unborn child at all. If it was a cyst - and sometimes I might add that cysts show up during pregnancy that don't go away. What do we do about those? Well, we have a large cyst that shows up on exam, or shows up on ultrasound that does not go away, then it is mandatory that this woman have operative intervention, have a laparotomy.

Laparotomies do not cause an increase in miscarriages, do not cause an increase - any child birth defects. It's just unfortunate complication unrelated to the pregnancy, but just as women are going to develop any of these cysts, women pregnant can develop any of these cysts. When they're found they need to be taken care of because the persistent cysts during pregnancy - during delivery could cause a problem with the delivery, and we don't want that. So as soon as you find out something during pregnancy we take care of it.

What You Need To Know About Infertility

As a father of an 18 year old daughter, as of this writing, I know very well what it's like to have difficulty having a child. It took my wife and I 4 years to conceive. Infertility is not something you think about until it affects you. Then, it's the only thing you can think of. It consumes your whole world and every waking minute is spent trying to figure out what the problem is. This article is going to give you the straight facts on infertility and hopefully lead you to some help in the process. There are natural treatments for this problem that are quite effective. Having that child you want may only be a few minutes away.

First thing we need to establish is what exactly infertility is. Technically, it is the inability to become pregnant after at least one year of trying to do so. Honestly, I don't know how they come up with that timeline, but that's the technical definition for whatever it's worth to you. I guess you could then say that my wife and I had some real problems.

Okay, so what exactly causes infertility? Unfortunately, there isn't just one cause and in many cases, it's a number of factors. One of the statistics that can't be ignored is that it seems that as women get older, they have a more difficult time getting pregnant. So obviously, age is a factor. When you compare the stats, 5% of women under 20 are infertile, to 30% of women over 35 are infertile, that's not something you can ignore.

But it's more than just age. Another common cause of infertility is vaginal or cervical infection. If these infections are not treated, they can work their way up into the fallopian tubes and cause serious, and sometimes irreversible damage.

Then of course, there is the way we live. They say you are what you eat. Well, the way many of us eat, it's a miracle that we have any children at all. Statistics show that women with eating disorders have a terrible time getting pregnant. In addition to food, there are the problems associated with smoking, drinking, taking drugs and stress. All of these contribute to infertility problems. Plus, women who are either very overweight or underweight usually have a difficult time getting pregnant.

And with all of this, we've only scratched the surface when it comes to infertility problems. Some women simply have abnormal hormone levels, which can be too high or too low and caused by a number of factors, not the least of which is a variety of diseases. When our hormone levels are not right, this leads to difficulty in getting pregnant.

Finally, with all the talk about environmental toxins, studies indicate that the very air that we breathe may be contributing to the infertility problem that we are facing in this polluted world of ours. For example, in lab studies, scientists have observed that the average sperm count of a normal healthy male has significantly decreased in this century, not just in the United States, but all over the world.

There is no question that infertility is a problem. However, you don't have to take dangerous infertility drugs like Metrodin, Pergonal, and Clomid in order to get pregnant. There are better ways. In my signature you'll find a site that can lead you to some answers that don't require the taking of harmful drugs.

That child you want can be a reality before you know it.

To YOUR Health,

Steve Wagner

Please visit my site at http://www.natures-healing-remedies.com where you can find an excellent resource in the products section for dealing with infertility.You can also get a free report on how the drug companies are killing us as well as get a 52 week series on a different ailment and treatment each week.

How Useful Are Fertility Drugs?

Fertility drugs aid people who are not able to produce children spontaneously. If you are one of these people, then you will want to talk to your doctor about your options.

Taking these drugs for infertility problems is usually the first step in treatment. There are several kinds of drugs that are available and you just need to find out which one is the right one for you and your situation. Your doctor will either be able to help you with this or point you in the direction of a specialist that can.

Drugs for infertility issues should only be prescribed by doctors who specialize in the treatment of infertility. Just like all medications, these drugs can cause side effects and you will need to be monitored closely by your doctor while you are taking them.

Some of the more popular and well-known drugs are: Follistim, Clomid, Repronex, Gonal-F, Brayelle, Menopur, Progesterone, Lupron, Metformin and hCG. The drugs act as hormones and they stimulate the ovaries to release eggs.

This enables the eggs to be ready for fertilization, so these hormones basically enable the woman to ovulate. One of the biggest concerns about these drugs is that they have caused many instances of multiple births.

This is due to the fact that they stimulate the ovaries to release more than the normal one egg that is usual during ovulation. There are more eggs available for fertilization, which means that more babies are likely to be created.

Fertility drugs are considered relatively safe, although some scientists have said that there is an increased chance of a woman getting ovarian cancer while using them. However, this has not been completely substantiated.

The chance of becoming pregnant with more than one baby increases the chance of something going wrong during the pregnancy. As the number of fetuses increase per pregnancy, so does the risk for complications, which can lead to miscarriage and premature labor.

Fertility drugs are also being used to treat the causes of male infertility. These drugs usually work, especially if a man has a low sperm count, or slow moving sperm. They can sometimes help to the point that the man is then able to fertilize his partner's eggs the natural way, or if this is not possible, at least allow the doctor to collect his sperm to use to artificially inseminate his partner.

Most of the fertility treatment drugs can help with low quality sperm, slow moving sperm and not enough sperm. However, if there are other factors, such as low quality sperm or just an allergic reaction to his sperm by his partner, then other avenues will have to be explored.

If you think that you are a good candidate for fertility drugs, then you need to discuss this with your doctor. If you do research and have your health care professional help you and guide you though the process, then it will make your life much easier.

There are many different types of drugs available to aid with infertility and it can be a big undertaking to research the pros and cons of each one that your doctor might recommend. Researching is going to be some of the best spent time for you as it pertains to your future reproductive health and pregnancy chances.

Mike Selvon portal offers free articles on infertility. Find out more about fertility drugs, and leave a comment at the pregnancy blog.

Male Infertility Treatments

Some causes of male infertility are sometimes correctable. A varicocele may be surgically repaired to improve fertility. Treatment with antibiotics of a chronic infection can enable a previously infertile man to become fertile. In some situations where substance abuse is a contributing factor, it may be essential for the male to abstain entirely from alcohol and/or other drugs and to join self-help groups in order to do so. Re-evaluation of medications prescribed to treat a chronic illness may produce positive results. A careful study of the man's exposure to occupational hazards such as radiation, lead, or dangerous pesticides may indicate a possible solution through change in employment.

In other cases, administration of various hormones can increase a borderline sperm count or suppress sperm antibodies enough to make conception possible. These hormones include Testosterone, thyroid hormone and cortisone. In some situations clomiphene citrate (Clomid) or human menopausal gonadotropins (Pergonal), medications that are used to induce ovulation in infertile women, may also be given to a man whose pituitary deficiency is the cause of his inability to father an offspring. In vitro fertilization, originally used more for Female infertility, is being used increasingly for the treatment of male infertility.

What is being described as a revolution in treating infertile men originated in Belgium in 1993, when researchers produced several successful pregnancies by the direct injection of a single sperm cell into a human egg in a Petri dish. The important discovery was that men who had no viable sperm in their semen often had at least a small number in their testes. The problem was that getting the sperm out of the testicles required a very expensive operation and an extended hospital stay.

In 1995, American researchers found a much easier and cheaper way to extract the sperm: by aspirating them through a thin needle in a procedure that can be done in the doctor's office. Even though the needle aspiration is not very expensive, it has to be combined with in vitro fertilization and the direct injection of sperm into eggs. The combined procedures, known as intracytoplasmic single sperm injection (ICSI), can cost as much as $15,000, an amount not likely to be covered by insurance.

The extraordinary advantage of this new development is that it has reduced fertilization to getting the sperm's genes into the egg. It doesn't matter whether the sperm can swim vigorously or even if it can penetrate the egg's outer layer. All that matters is that it is alive. Dr. Richard J. Sherins, director of the male infertility program at the Genetics and IVF Institute in Fairfax, Virginia and the developer of the aspiration technique, believes that it should be of the greatest use to the approximately ten million American men who have had vasectomies. This is encouraging news because while the vas may be surgically repaired, this does not always result in the resumption of fertility. And according to the "New York Times" (6/19/95), even though the method is expensive, it has resulted in a diminishing market for sperm donors both in this country and Europe.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Infertility

How To Use Anadrol Steroid

Anadrol is the strongest and also the most effective oral steroid. Anadrol has an extremely high androgenic effect which goes hand in hand with an extremely intense anabolic component. Anadrol is the U.S. brand name for oxymetholone, a very potent oral androgen.

This compound was first made available in 1960, by the international drug firm Syntex. Since oxymetholone is quite reliable in its ability to increase red blood cell production (and effect admittedly characteristic of nearly all anabolic/androgenic steroids), it showed particular promise in treating cases of severe anemia. For this reason, dramatic gains in strength and muscle mass can be achieved in a very short time. An increase in body weight of 10 - 15 pounds or more in only 14 days is not unusual. This item is shown to have a much more direct effect on the red blood cell count, without the side effects of a strong androgen.

Anadrol is considered by many to be the most powerful steroid available, with results of this compound being extremely dramatic. A steroid novice experimenting with oxymetholone is likely to gain 20 to 30 pounds of massive bulk, and it can often be accomplished in less than 6 weeks, with only one or two tablets per day. This steroid produces a lot of trouble with water retention, so let there be little doubt that much of this gain is simply bloat. But for the user this is often little consequence, feeling bigger and stronger on Anadrol than any steroid they are likely to cross. This will allow for more elasticity, and will hopefully decrease the chance for injury when lifting heavy. It should be noted however, that on the other hand the very rapid gain in mass might place too much stress on your connective tissues for this to compensate. Pronounced estrogen trouble also puts the user at risk for developing gynecomastia. Individuals sensitive to the effects of estrogen, or looking to retain a more quality look, will therefore often add Nolvadex to each cycle.

Clearly if this is the case we can only combat the estrogenic side effects of oxymetholone with estrogen receptor antagonists such as Nolvadex or Clomid, and not with an aromatase inhibitor. The strong anti-aromatase compounds such as Cytadren andArimidex would similarly prove to be totally useless with this steroid, as aromatase is uninvolved.

Anadrol is also a very potent androgen. This trait tends to produce many pronounced, unwanted androgenic side effects. Oil skin, acne and body/facial hair growth can be seen very quickly with this drug. Many individuals respond with severe acne, often requiring medication to keep it under control. Some of these individuals find that Accutaine works well, which is a strong prescription drug that acts on the sebaceous glands to reduce the release of oils. Those with a predisposition for male pattern baldness may want to stay away from Anadrol 5007 completely, as this is certainly a possible side effect during therapy. And while some very adventurous Female athletes do experiment with this compound, it is much too androgenic to recommend. Irreversible virilization symptoms can be the result and may occur very quickly, possibly before you have a chance to take action.

HOW TO USE ANADROL: Anadrol is unfortunately also the most harmful oral steroid. Its intake can cause many considerable side effects. Since it is I 7-alpha alkylated it is very liver toxic. Most users can expect certain pathological changes in their liver values after approximately one week. An increase in liver values of both the enzymes GOT and GPT also called transaminases, often cannot be avoided. Elevated GOT and GPT values are indications of hepatitis, i.e. a liver infection. Longer intake and/or higher doses can cause a yellow discoloration of fingernails, eyes, or skin jaundice). This is because oxymetholone induces an increase of biliburin in the liver, producing a bile pigment which causes the yellow discoloring of the skin. The liver enzyme gamma-GT also reacts sensitively to the oxymetholone, causing it to elevate

Other possible side effects may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, lack of appetite, insomnia, and diarrhea. The athlete can expect a feeling of "general indisposition" with the intake of Anadrol which is completely in contrast to Dianabol which conveys a "sense of wellbeing". The increased aggressiveness is caused by the resulting high level of androgen and occurs mostly when large quantities of Testosterone are "shot" simultaneously with the Anadrol. The body's own production of Testosterone is considerably reduced since Anadrol has an inhibiting effect on the hypothalamus, which in turn completely reduces or stops the release of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone). For this reason the intake of Testosterone stimulating compounds such as HCG and Clomid is absolutely necessary to maintain the hormone production in the testes.

ANADROL DOSAGE: As for the dosage, opinions differ. A dosage sufficient for any athlete would be 0,5 - 0,8 mg per pound of body weight/day. This corresponds to 1-4 tablets; i.e. 50-200 mg/day. Under no circumstances should an athlete take more than four tablets in any given day. We are of the opinion that a daily intake of three tablets should not be exceeded. Those of you who would like to try Anadrol for the first time should begin with an intake of only one 50 mg tablet. After a few days or even better, after one week, the daily dosage can be increased to two tablets, one tablet each in the morning and evening, taken with meals. Athletes who are more advanced or weigh more than 220 pounds can increase the dosage to 150 mg/day in the third week.Athletes continue their treatment with injectable Testosterone such as Sustanon or Testosterone enanthate for several weeks. Bodybuilders often combine Anadrol with Deca-Durabolin or Testosterone to build up strength and mass. Anadrol is to be taken seriously and the prevailing bodybuilder mentality "more is better" is out of place.

Trivial name Oxymetholone

Systematic name 5-alpha,17-beta-Androstan-3-one, 17-hydroxy-2-

(hydroxymethylene)-17-methyl-

CAS number 434-07-1

ATC code A14AA05

Merck Index Number 7036

Chemical formula C21H32O3

Molecular weight 332.477 g/mol

Bioavailability 95%

Metabolism Hepatic

Elimination half-life 9 hours

Excretion Urinary: 95%

Pregnancy category X

Routes of administration Oral

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