Ovarian Cysts & Soy?

[prettyprincessbelle]

Hey everyone, I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts on each of my ovaries about 2 weeks ago. I had horrible horrible pain on my right side, went to the doctor, had an ultrasound done and found out the one on my right side burst and that I also have one on my left.. The doctor put me on birth control and said wait 2 menstrual cycles and come back for another ultra sound. If I still have pain then we will talk about removing the cyst. My first menstrual cycle past, and I still have the pressure on my right side like it's still there. I figured the last time I had that horrible pain was the exact day I was ovulating. I'm praying this next ovulation I don't have that same pain..

So doing some research I read that xenoestrogen (hormones in cows and chickens.. etc) contributes towards producing more estrogen in your body, thus greater risk for women who already have ovarian cysts.. Different veggies and fruits, like soy, have phytoestrogens, which is naturally made estrogen. In some websites I read avoid xenoestrogens and increase your intake in phytoestrogens, and others I've read avoid both..

I know ovarian cysts are fairly common. Has anyone had any experience with taking soy or becoming vegan or only organic meats/dairy. Any advice would help me greatly..

 

[jsmith]

I have cysts related to a thyroid issue-doc told me to STAY AWAY FROM SOY because it can agravate the thyroid condition-I dont know about the ovarian cysts.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Yeah, I've read both, and I'm completely confused.. I'm going to try staying away from dairy and meat unless it's organic due to the hormones.. But I'm torn on the soy..

 

[lilyv]

I avoid soy, too, due to thyroid failure. I consider Mary Shomon's site reputable-some good info here. She's run the thyroid site at about com for some years. FWIW, I was given soy formula as an infant.

The website below does give info on the current thinking, and how much soy is considered safe for adults.


http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/soydangers.htm

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

That makes sense about soy and thyroid problems.. I've read on several occasions infants given soy formula (maybe rice too?) have had issues with soy as an adult..

I've been reading natural estrogen (soy) is good for ovarian cysts, but I'm still confused..

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Anyone else have any help for me!?

 

[SnowWhite1937]

I am interested in this, too. I eat/drink soy quite often.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

7 years ago, I had a 7" cyst surgically removed from my left ovary, as well as 2 smaller ones on my right side. I have small cysts on both sides again now. I do drink soy milk, but because I'm lactose intolerant and I find that soy milk doesn't give me stomachaches. I never heard of the soy-ovarian cyst link, but it's not true for me. I still have excruciating pain when I'm ovulating, and every once in a while, I feel a "pulling," heavy feeling on my left side, or I get a sudden stab of pain that literally stops me in my tracks.

It could be just me, though - everyone is different.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

7 years ago, I had a 7" cyst surgically removed from my left ovary, as well as 2 smaller ones on my right side. I have small cysts on both sides again now. I do drink soy milk, but because I'm lactose intolerant and I find that soy milk doesn't give me stomachaches. I never heard of the soy-ovarian cyst link, but it's not true for me. I still have excruciating pain when I'm ovulating, and every once in a while, I feel a "pulling," heavy feeling on my left side, or I get a sudden stab of pain that literally stops me in my tracks.

It could be just me, though - everyone is different.

Thanks pirateslife.. I'm going to try soy.. I'm avoiding dairy and meats unless they're organic.. And I'll see if the soy affects me.. I feel what you mean with the heaviness on your side, I get that constantly.. Thank you..

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I had a rather large ovarian cyst (16cm) removed from my left ovary about 5 years ago. I've never consumed much dairy or soy... neither agree with me.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I guess it just is different from person to person.. And it sounds like no matter what you eat/drink you can still get them...

 

[DinahInWonderland]

I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts about 4 years ago. Back then I definetly was not into drinking soy. I was put on birch control and after a few cycles it really reduced the frequency and severity of the cysts. A year or so ago I began drinking a lot more soy milk and it worsened my cysts. They became so painful again that I had to talk to my doctor, who told me to stay away from the soy! So I wouldn't recomend it.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts about 4 years ago. Back then I definetly was not into drinking soy. I was put on birch control and after a few cycles it really reduced the frequency and severity of the cysts. A year or so ago I began drinking a lot more soy milk and it worsened my cysts. They became so painful again that I had to talk to my doctor, who told me to stay away from the soy! So I wouldn't recomend it.

Wow, thank you! Maybe I should avoid it.. And just wait till I go see my doctor again (in early April) and ask her then and see what she says.. Was there anything else you avoided? Or had more of?

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I had ovarian cysts before I had my kids. One thing to watchis what type of estrogen is in your birth control, too. In my case, that's what made it worse. That was over 10 years ago now, and birth control has changed a lot since then, but make sure that the pill that your Dr. put youon is helping, not hurting you. Since she put you on this pill BECAUSE of the cysts I'd think she chose a "safe" one for you, but just a heads-up for you just in case.

 

[rie'smom]

I too avoid Soy due to thyroid problems.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I had ovarian cysts before I had my kids. One thing to watchis what type of estrogen is in your birth control, too. In my case, that's what made it worse. That was over 10 years ago now, and birth control has changed a lot since then, but make sure that the pill that your Dr. put youon is helping, not hurting you. Since she put you on this pill BECAUSE of the cysts I'd think she chose a "safe" one for you, but just a heads-up for you just in case.

Good point. I was originally on a low-dose pill and she oved to a regular dose.. I haven't noticed any difference at all. And I don't have any side effects with it either.. She told me though if it doesn't work or makes them bigger she'll take me off it..

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Good point. I was originally on a low-dose pill and she oved to a regular dose.. I haven't noticed any difference at all. And I don't have any side effects with it either.. She told me though if it doesn't work or makes them bigger she'll take me off it..

That's interesting...for me it was the opposite...the lower estrogen seems to be ok for me. Although...I have low progesterone levels...actually had 2 M/C's due to low progesterone, so the estrogen in the b/c pills may affect me differently than most. It sounds like she is keeping a close eye on you, so that is great!

 

[DinahInWonderland]

Wow, thank you! Maybe I should avoid it.. And just wait till I go see my doctor again (in early April) and ask her then and see what she says.. Was there anything else you avoided? Or had more of?

I really just increased the exercise I do. It was during my "healthy" phase. Soy and exercise were the only things I was doing different so the doctor pinned the worsening on the soy. I continue to increase my exercise when I know I'm going to be ovulating. Just light walking/jogging on the treadmill. The endorphins seen to help! Good luck and I hope you feel better!

 

[Deeena]

Hi Pretty Princess Belle!
My daughter is having the same problem that you had here.... lots of pain from an ovarian cyst. She would like to ask you some questions if that's possible.... Found this through a google search and it was very helpful. Would like to know how things went with you and if you were able to get relief. Thanks! Dena denajack at cox.net

Hey everyone, I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts on each of my ovaries about 2 weeks ago. I had horrible horrible pain on my right side, went to the doctor, had an ultrasound done and found out the one on my right side burst and that I also have one on my left.. The doctor put me on birth control and said wait 2 menstrual cycles and come back for another ultra sound. If I still have pain then we will talk about removing the cyst. My first menstrual cycle past, and I still have the pressure on my right side like it's still there. I figured the last time I had that horrible pain was the exact day I was ovulating. I'm praying this next ovulation I don't have that same pain..

So doing some research I read that xenoestrogen (hormones in cows and chickens.. etc) contributes towards producing more estrogen in your body, thus greater risk for women who already have ovarian cysts.. Different veggies and fruits, like soy, have phytoestrogens, which is naturally made estrogen. In some websites I read avoid xenoestrogens and increase your intake in phytoestrogens, and others I've read avoid both..

I know ovarian cysts are fairly common. Has anyone had any experience with taking soy or becoming vegan or only organic meats/dairy. Any advice would help me greatly..

 

[bellacates]

Hi, I haven't been officially diagnosed with ovarian cysts yet, but this is the third month that I have had severe pain in my abdomen during ovulation, and upon research I am almost certain it is ovarian cysts.

I am 24 years old and have never had any pain during ovulation prior to June of this year, 2009.

I am originally from California (lived there my whole life), and moved to Idaho in April 2009. Before moving to Idaho, I would drink only bottled SPRING water. Has to say "spring water" or else it's just bottled filtered tap water. Why? Because of pharmaceuticals in our drinking water supply. There are tons of different pharmaceuticals in our tap water that are basically impossible to filter out with the technology available today because the compounds are so small.

Here's a couple of links: It wouldn't let me post a link (I haven't posted enough times), but you still might be able to get the link from what I posted. I think this is important information.

Confirming there are hormones in our water supply.
- scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=birth-control-in-water-supply

2002 USGS Fact sheet on Pharmaceuticals, hormones in wastewater (which will end up in drinking water after treatment). Also a map of the locations where pharmaceuticals were found.
- toxics.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-027-02/

Upon moving to Idaho, I figured the tap water was much safer, so since April I have been drinking only filtered tap water. And... two months after I developed ovarian cysts.

I knew that there were pharmaceuticals in the water (I have a B.S. degree in Environmental Toxicology with an emphasis in water quality), but I'm thinking I assumed wrongly about Idaho's water supply.

There are so many women on birth control pills these days, and the estrogenic compounds go straight into our drinking water supply. The IMPORTANT THING to know is that these compounds can act in our bodies in extremely low amounts. Officials like to make the statement that the water supply is still safe because the concentrations of these compounds are so low. They do not know the effects of chronic low doses of these compounds.

So besides the phytoestrogens that you can get from soy and other natural foods (which, really shouldn't cause problems for us since we are meant to eat raw vegetables and fruits), we are very likely all getting doses of unnatural estrogenic compounds (xenobiotics) from our drinking water which can definitely disrupt normal ovulation.

Here's another link with good info that I found:
- cyst101.com/cause.htm

This month (last night) I had really severe pain, and began to think about what I have changed in my life the past few months.

I am under very little stress right now, my whole life I've been at a very stable normal weight, I eat much better than most people my age (rarely eat fast food, cook meals at home with lots of vegetables, a few times a month I drink soda, etc.), and I've actually gotten slightly more exercise (not rigorous though, like bike riding) since my move. Health-wise, I've never had any serious illness. The worst I've had in my life is a bad sinus infection and a UTI which cranberry juice basically cured.

The ONLY significant thing I have changed is the water that I drink.

The other thing you need to know, is that if it really IS hormones in the drinking water, the men in our lives are also being affected. There have been numerous studies done on the "feminization" of male species of fish, alligators, etc. Example: genetically "male" fish have been found with developing ovaries.

As far as SOY is concerned, I don't believe at this time that it is affecting me personally, since I have been drinking soy milk (although not regularly) for a few years.

Last night I bought some bottled spring water and will no longer be drinking tap water, I don't think my husband will be either. I will update this post in the next few months as to whether it has made a difference.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: I haven't had any pain during ovulation since I first posted this and went back to drinking bottled spring water! It seems fairly probable to me that something in the tap water I was drinking was affecting my hormones/reproductive system, because I went back to normal the very next month.