A study was performed on 4000 sexually active women in age group from 25 to 45.

71% of women who participated in the research said they are not trying to conceive, while only 6% of them said they are trying to conceive a baby. What about the rest of the group? Almost 25% of them? Well… almost one fourth of women said they are okay either way – to get pregnant or not getting pregnant.

Sociology professor said this information is very important in further cultural and sociology related studies, and by my opinion it could have an impact on politics of the country – at least it would be wise from politicians to observe the option of women in childbearing years. Julia McQuillan claims the group of women who are okay either way – to get or not to get pregnant should be assessed separately from women who are trying to conceive as well from those who are not trying to get pregnant.

Especially doctors should pay special attention to this group and they should keep themselves aware that the group exists. These women are less intentional about getting pregnant and for sure they aren’t preparing their bodies for pregnancy. However, they should – if they are feeling comfortable with getting pregnant they should be treated as if they are trying to conceive. They should be given child-protection tips, including limiting alcohol intake and having preconception folic acid intake levels.

In addition to the information above, 60% of the women from the researched group are not mothers (do not have children) and they were trying to prevent pregnancy by using some sort of contraception, while 14% of these women (that do not have children) said they are trying to conceive. In this category of 60% women without children more than one fourth of them (26% to be accurate) said they are comfortable either way – to become mothers or not.

An ovarian cyst is a hormonal related disorder, caused by the overproduction of male hormones in the female body. Ovarian cyst may be single or multiple and it can occur in one or both ovaries. Most ovarian cysts are benign, but approximately 15 percent are cancerous. That is why examination is always necessary.

Types of Ovarian Cyst

There are five common types of ovarian cysts: functional cysts, endometrial cysts, cystadenomas, dermoid cysts and polycystic ovaries.

Functional cysts develop on follicle or corpus luteum as part of the natural function of the ovary. These cysts are not big and they usually dissolve after certain period of time.
Endometrial cysts, also known as “chocolate cysts”, because they’re filled with dark blood, form as a result of endometriosis. They continue to grow and could become as large as grapefruit. These cysts could cause an infertility.
Ovarian cystadenomas are new and abnormal formations that develop from the ovarian tissue. They could be filled with watery fluid or thick gelatinous material, growing up to 12 inches.
Dermoid cysts are also neoplasms similar to cystadenomas, with one difference. They consist of skin or related tissue such as hair, teeth or bone instead of fluid like the cystadenomas. Dermoid cysts grow between 2 and 4 inches.
Polycystic ovaries is a condition in which the follicles never erupt from the ovaries. This condition is also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome or disease (PCOS), and it’s directly linked with difficulty in conceiving.

How to Recognize Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts

Cysts may grow quietly and go unnoticed until they are found on routine examination. However, if they are ruptured or become large enough, the following symptoms may occur:

• Intense abdominal pain (symptom in all types of cysts)
• Late, bleeding between or irregular periods (symptom occurring in corpus luteum cysts and polycystic ovaries)
• Heavy menstrual flow (symptom occurring in polycystic ovaries)
• Infertility (symptom occurring in polycystic ovaries and endometrial cysts)
• Internal bleeding (symptom occurring in endometrial cysts)
• Severe menstrual cramps (symptom occurring in endometrial cysts)
• Pain with sexual intercourse (symptom occurring in endometrial cysts)
• Pain during a bowel movement (symptom occurring in endometrial cysts)
• Weight gain (symptom occurring in polycystic ovaries and endometrial cysts)

If any of symptoms is present you should visit your doctor for further tests and treatment immediately.

Treatment of Ovarian Cysts

Treatment of ovarian cysts depends on many factors, including the type of cyst, its size, location, the type of material it contains and the woman’s age.

Functional cysts usually require a “watch and wait” approach. These cysts tend to dissolve over time and treatment is not needed. The doctor may require pelvic exam and/or ultrasound after two menstrual cycles. If the cyst is still present and keeps growing (over 2 inches) the doctor may recommend a laparoscopy to remove the cyst. If functional cyst comes and goes, birth control pills may be prescribed, because they reduce the hormones that promote cysts’ growth and they also prevent formation of large cysts.

Endometrial cysts, cystadenomas and dermoid cysts should be removed surgically. If the cyst is small enough it could be removed via laparoscopy. But if the cyst is over 2 ½ inches in diameter, treatment varies from cysterectomy (removal of cyst only) to total abdominal hysterectomy, usually when cyst is cancerous.

Treatment for polycystic ovaries varies. The major symptom of polycystic ovaries is infertility, and whether the woman is trying to conceive or not determines the treatment for PCOS.
If the woman is trying to conceive, the doctor will prescribe Clomid which stimulates ovulation. If the woman is not trying to conceive, but has infrequent or no periods, the doctor will prescribe Provera, that restores normal menstrual flows.

The best advice for you is to visit your doctor regularly for routine examination, especially if you have one of the symptoms mentioned above. Ovarian cyst is not major reason for infertility, but if you’re trying to get pregnant having a cyst, you should determine the type and treatment that will help you conceiving.

The following herbs have proved to have beneficial properties when it comes to getting pregnant:

Chaste Tree Berry helps reduce hormonal imbalances: it stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland, which promotes ovulation and helps regulate the menstrual cycle, which improves women’s chances of conceiving. Chaste Tree Berry is known to restore normal periods in women with amenorrhea.  It is also one of the herbs that reduce stress levels, which in turn has a beneficial effect on overall and of course reproductive health.

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a North American perennial herb and actually acts in same capacity as chastetree berry. Additionally, black cohosh also contains isoflavones, and play important part in reproductive health: they help bind estrogen receptors in the body. Both black and blue cohosh are commonly prescribed herbs for improving fertility, they both carry some dangerous side effects. Both of them should be avoided when trying to get pregnant or if there is a possibility that an egg has been fertilized. Since blue and black cohosh are emmengogues, this explains that they are uterine tonics and as such they can have adverse effects on implantation and may cause contractions.

Red clover blossoms (Trifolium pratense) is also known as herb that is rich in estrogen-like compounds, isoflavones, and is therefore considered a great fertility promoter.

Dong Quai is also on the list of fertility promoters because it increases your chances of pregnancy: Dong Quai regulating woman’s hormone estrogen and this way balances menstrual cycle rhythm. Women who have problems with autoimmune diseases may also increase their chances of egg implantation. However, dong quai shouldn’t be used during menstruation because it is considered as a blood thinner.

False Unicorn Root: this herb is useful for women who suffer from pelvic congestion: false unicorn root has a balancing effect on the ovaries and it improves reproductive health. It is known as a herb that helps prevent miscarriage in women with uterine weakness. There is a dark side if taking too much of false unicorn root: it may cause you to vomit or at least have kidney or stomach irritation, and sometimes blurred vision.

Wild Yam: there are two sides of taking wild yam: one that increases chances of getting pregnant and may help prevent habitual miscarriage due to hormonal imbalance, and the other that actually prevents ovulation from taking place. Critical factor is production of progesterone and ovulation: if wild yam is taken before ovulation it can actually prevent ovulation thereby reducing woman’s fertility. Therefore it is essential to know that wild yam should be always taken after ovulation occurs because then the herb has a positive effect: it raises the production of progesterone and this way increases your chances of conceiving. This herb also has a role in hormonal imbalance: it may help in prevention of habitual miscarriage.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a herb that might help women with polycystic ovary disease since they usually have low estrogen levels combined with high levels of testosterone. A Japanese study found licorice helps.