As a manual therapist, I treat people and their tissues, not their medical conditions. I work in partnership with people by using a listening touch and working with the body’s own intelligence.
You’re more than your symptoms. As a manual therapist, my goal is to help restore tissue health and function. I focus on improving the movement of internal organs, blood, lymph, and energy flow throughout the body.
In this article, I will discuss ovarian cysts. What size ovarian cyst is considered dangerous? I will explain how a misaligned uterus or restricted blood, lymph, and energy flow can lead to ovarian cysts. Additionally, I will explore how manual therapy can help maintain the health of the ovaries.
While I do not treat medical conditions, I focus on treating people. I would like to know about any existing medical issues. This helps me make the proper adjustments in my approach. For example, when dealing with ovarian cysts, it is essential to know the type and size of the cyst you have. In my experience, many people are unaware of the kind of cyst they have. They may also be unsure about the size of the cyst or which ovary it is on. Please consult with your physician and gather as much information as possible before your appointment. The more you know, the better you can connect with your body and get the proper support.
The primary concern with large ovarian cysts is the risk of ovarian torsion. This happens when the cyst is so heavy that it twists the ovary on its stalk. This twisting can cut off the ovary’s blood supply. Ovarian torsion is a serious medical emergency. If you think you have a large ovarian cyst or feel severe abdominal pain, please see your doctor right away. The sooner you get treatment, the better the chance of saving your ovary. Ovarian torsion is relatively uncommon, accounting for only 2.7% of acute gynecological cases. Ovarian torsion can occur at any age, including during pregnancy—a review of ovarian torsion.
Ovarian cysts are prevalent. Ovarian torsion is a rare condition. Please discuss your unique situation with your doctor to rule out your risk.
Most ovarian cysts don’t rupture but instead resolve on their own. Symptoms from a ruptured ovarian cyst may vary from mild to severe pain. Some ruptured cysts may require medical treatment. If your doctor finds an ovarian cyst on an ultrasound, they should discuss your risks with you. They will also determine if you need a treatment plan based on your situation. You can read more about the management of a ruptured ovarian cyst on the John Hopkins Medical website.
What size ovarian cyst is dangerous?
If your cyst measures between 4 and 5 cm, your abdominal practitioner may choose to avoid massaging the lower abdomen. They might only use very light strokes or lymphatic drainage in that area. Lymph responds well to a light touch, no more than the weight of a nickel. It’s amazing what you can achieve with a light touch, so don’t underestimate the benefits of lighter treatments. Lighter treatments can enhance lymphatic drainage and improve energy flow.
Typically, a doctor would recommend surgery for cysts 7cm or larger (in some cases 5 CM). The average ovary is about 2 x 3 cm, which is about the size of an almond. A cyst larger than this may be too much for the ovary to support. There are other risk factors, including the length of the ligament that connects the ovary to the uterus. The longer the ligament, the greater the risk of torsion.
Symptoms of ovarian cysts can vary. Some people may have no symptoms at all. Others may experience lower abdominal pain, irregular menstrual cycles, pain during intercourse, pain with bowel movements, and pelvic pressure. Ovarian cysts can’t be diagnosed through palpation, so if you’re having abnormal symptoms visit your physician.
Types of ovarian Cysts
There are two types of what are called functional cysts (related to the process of ovulation). Follicular cysts are functional cysts that result when ovulation fails to occur. In this case, the follicle grows but never bursts open to release the egg, and as a result, it becomes a cyst. You see, a follicle is a fluid-filled sac that contains the egg, so the follicle is naturally a cyst until it bursts open.
Whenever a woman has a pelvic ultrasound for chronic pelvic pain, fibroids, or other reasons, her ovaries are scanned. During this scan, cysts may be detected. Small cysts that are 1 to 3 centimeters are usually normal. This is because normal ovaries often produce small physiological cysts that appear and disappear. They gestate little eggs, little cysts, or in energy medicine terms, young ideas ripe with potential. Dr. Christiane Northrup, MD Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom
The other type of functional cyst is a corpus luteum cyst. When a follicle releases its egg, it becomes what is known as the corpus luteum, which then produces hormones. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum disintegrates. However, if fluid or blood is trapped at the site, it can form a cyst. This type of cyst usually resolves on its own within 3 months.
Functional cysts are usually harmless and disappear on their own.
Other Types of Ovarian Cysts
Endometriomas, also known as chocolate cysts develop when endometrial cells grow outside of the uterus (endometriosis) and attach to your ovary.
Dermoid cysts, also known as teratomas are formed from embryonic cells and contain tissue, such as hair, skin, or teeth.
Cystadenomas develop on the surface of an ovary and might be filled with a watery or a mucous material.
Polycystic ovaries occur when the eggs mature within their follicles but are never released from the ovaries. Resulting in ovaries that contain many fluid-filled sacs. Dr. Lara Briden talks about four types of PCOS here.
Ovarian Cysts & Manual Therapy
From a manual therapy perspective according to Dr. Rosita Arvigo, “the membrane that lines the superior aspect of the ovary is so thin, delicate, and nearly translucent that any abnormality in positioning affects its function.”
Other mechanical causes may include:
- Venous congestion
- Adhesions on the ovaries
- A uterus that is out of place. A malpositioned uterus may press on the ovulation site. Additionally, a thickening of the ovarian wall can also contribute to the formation of cysts.
As Dr. Arvigo puts it, “any restriction in the five channels of flow will have an impact on ovarian health.” Those five channels are arterial, venous, lymphatic, energetic, and nerve flow. Abdominal therapy works to optimize the five flows, allowing the body to maintain balance more easily.
The following suggestions are intended for uterine and ovarian health. What works for you will depend on your individual situation; therefore, it is recommended that you consult a qualified health professional.
- To keep your ovaries healthy, receive manual therapy from a qualified manual therapist.
- Take my womb massage online course, where I will teach you self-abdominal massage, including an ovarian manual technique.
- Castor oil Packs These can be used when a cyst is present, or after a cyst has burst. If a cyst bursts, it may be beneficial to receive gentle hands-on therapy. Manual therapy, especially lymph drainage, can help with drainage. As well as keeping inflammation down through dietary choices.
- When the tenderness in the abdomen or pelvis subsides, it is recommended to resume abdominal therapy. This therapy should be more comprehensive than lymphatic drainage. Doing so helps prevent adhesions from forming. In the Free The Belly, online course I will teach you how to do self-care massage for abdominal adhesions.
- In Tami Lynn Kent’s book Wild Feminine, she discusses the energy of the ovaries. She explains how Holistic Pelvic Care™ can be beneficial.
- A naturopathic doctor or Women’s Health Specialist can support you in diet, hormonal testing, and herbs. Having them as part of your care team, alongside manual therapy, is essential. Ovarian cysts aren’t always from a mechanical issue, so it’s important to rule out other imbalances. Herbal ovarian tonics include Blue cohosh, white peony, false unicorn, and chaste berry. These herbs may not be suitable for everyone. Please consult a qualified herbalist. They can consider your complete health history when creating a formula for you. Chickweed is an herb that has been reported to resolve cysts over a period of 2 to 16 months.
Author: Barbara Horsley has more than 26 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in abdominal massage and Visceral Manipulation™ and is an NCBTMB-approved educator. In addition to being certified in abdominal massage, she also studied biomechanics and restorative exercise. She is also a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator and a graduate of the IWHI Perimenopause & Menopause Certificate Program.