7 Natural Home Remedies For Dissolving Ovarian Cysts

I frequently see patients in my telehealth clinic struggling with pain and other symptoms of ovarian cysts. Underlying health conditions may cause these cysts, most often polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.

Over time, cysts can lead to severe pain and significant health impacts like infertility. Fortunately, there are several natural remedies that can shrink or dissolve ovarian cysts without the need for medication or surgery.

What Are Ovarian Cysts?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets inside or on the surface of an ovary. Women have 2 ovaries, and cysts can appear on one or both simultaneously.

Cysts may be simple (which typically resolve on their own) or complex (generally requiring medical treatment, including over-the-counter remedies). Most people with ovarian cysts don’t experience any symptoms.

For some, cysts cause symptoms that may become chronic if not addressed, such as:

• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Sudden pain (only if the cyst bursts)

With complex cysts, especially in the case of health problems like PCOS and endometriosis, minor symptoms can be coupled with chronic symptoms such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Changes to bowel movements or urination
• Fatigue
• Painful, heavy periods
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• Anovulation (failure to ovulate regularly), leading to infertility (1)
• Frequent urination
• Digestive distress
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Increased ovarian cancer risk/tumors (complex cysts only) (2)

If you experience severe pain in your lower abdomen, immediately follow up with a doctor. You may need immediate medical treatment plus IV therapy if you have a cyst rupture or experience ovarian torsion. This is a complication where the ovary becomes twisted because of a large cyst.

Simple Versus Complex

There are 2 types of ovarian cysts: simple and complex. Simple cysts are also known as functional ovarian cysts, which are the most common form. There are 2 types of functional cysts:

• Follicle cysts (follicular cysts): These occur when an ovarian follicle doesn’t open to release an egg and stays closed instead, causing it to fill with liquid.
• Corpus luteum cysts: These form when your follicle doesn’t seal off after releasing an egg.

Unlike simple cysts, complex cysts are not associated with your menstrual cycle and are more rare. They are usually benign and not cancerous, but they can come with some uncomfortable symptoms. There are 3 possible types of complex cysts:

• Cystadenomas: This type of cyst contains fluid or mucus alongside ovarian tissue.
• Dermoid cysts: These cysts are formed from cells you had while growing inside your mother’s womb that make up dermal tissue. They can contain skin, hair, teeth, or fat.
• Endometriomas: Often associated with endometriosis, these types of cysts happen when the cells from your uterine lining grow outside of your uterus and onto your ovaries.

7 Natural Remedies For Shrinking Ovarian Cysts

In functional medicine, we try to use treatments with the greatest results and the fewest side effects. While birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives can resolve simple cysts, we try to recommend other methods due to the side effects of taking birth control in the long term.

Thankfully, several natural remedies are clinically proven to shrink or dissolve ovarian cysts without surgical removal or medications.

Implement Dietary Changes

Diet should be the first natural remedy you consider to relieve inflammatory or hormonal health problems, including ovarian cysts. A diet high in sugar and unhealthy fats is strongly associated with the development of ovarian cysts and related female hormone issues. (3)

No diet will dissolve ovarian cysts in every patient. A few have shown promise in resolving cysts and reducing the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in PCOS patients. (4) The Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the ketogenic diet are all research-backed options.

In general, the best eating plans or PCOS diets to prevent and reduce the occurrence and size of cysts include:

• Significantly reducing your sugar intake, particularly processed white sugars and corn syrup.
• Eating nutrient-dense, minimally-processed foods over foods that come prepackaged.
• Prioritizing healthy fats rich in omega-3s.
• Buying organic proteins whenever possible.
• Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits.
• Getting lots of fiber every day.
• Staying hydrated by drinking about half your body weight in ounces each day.
• Consuming known anti-inflammatories like cinnamon, green tea, and leafy greens supports healthy hormone production.

LISTEN: Hormone Cycle Balancing Nutrition Plan, Self-Compassion & Indulging Without Guilt | Shira Barlow

Exercise Regularly

Exercise can support ovarian cyst management by improving hormone balance, reducing insulin resistance, and lowering inflammation. Regular physical activity helps regulate symptoms of PCOS. (5)

Exercise also reduces stress, which lowers cortisol levels for overall hormone health, and reduces estrogen dominance, a factor contributing to cyst development. If you’re new to exercise, start with low-impact options like walking, swimming, or yoga.

Maintain A Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for managing ovarian cysts. (6) Excess weight can lead to insulin resistance, which disrupts hormone balance and increases the risk of cyst formation. Weight loss, on the other hand, can improve insulin sensitivity and regulate your hormones.

PCOS does make it harder to lose weight, but a combination of strategies that include diet, exercise, and supplements can help. Even a reduction of 5-10% of your total body weight may dissolve or shrink ovarian cysts and resolve symptoms like problems ovulating. (7)

Try Seed Cycling

Seed cycling is a practice that involves eating specific seeds during each phase of the menstrual cycle to address hormonal imbalances. In women with PCOS, supplementing with flaxseed, for example, may reduce the size of ovarian cysts and prevent new cysts from forming. (8,9)

Seed cycling with pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds also shows promise in regulating menstrual cycles and reducing PCOS symptoms. (10)

In the luteal phase — days 15-28 — sesame and sunflower seeds rich in zinc and vitamin E support progesterone production. A healthier balance between estrogen and progesterone may reduce hormonal imbalances like those seen in PCOS.

Sip On Some Ginger Tea

The effects of ginger haven’t been directly studied in relation to its impact on ovarian cyst size or reduction. However, one human trial found that supplementing with 1500 mg/day of ginger decreased the production of FSH. (11)

As FSH is the hormone that triggers the creation of new cysts, it’s possible that ginger may help prevent cysts from forming.

Ginger is also known for reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, providing anti-nausea relief, and supporting digestion. All of this is important for managing symptoms that can arise during hormonal shifts like menopause or during menstrual cycles.

Because ginger is so benign, it’s an easy thing to add to your routine without the risk of side effects. Ginger tea contains about 250 milligrams of the active ingredient per serving. Try a few mugs of this throughout your day as part of your cyst-reduction plan.

Choose The Right Supplements

Certain supplements can help manage ovarian cysts by supporting hormonal balance, reducing inflammation, and improving insulin sensitivity, all of which contribute to cyst formation. Here are a few of my favorite supplements for hormone support:

• Chasteberry: Chasteberry, or Vitex Agnus-castus, is a Mediterranean plant that supports healthy progesterone production. In one study, chasteberry supplementation led to a reduction in the number of ovarian cysts and the size of the remaining cysts. (12)
• Curcumin: Curcumin, the active ingredient in the turmeric spice, is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Multiple studies show that curcumin dissolves ovarian cysts caused by PCOS and prevents some new ones from forming. (13)
• Inositol: Both D-chiro-inositol and Myo-inositol are compounds that effectively treat symptoms of PCOS, including cyst formation. (14) Inositol is also linked to improved insulin sensitivity in women with hormone-related conditions.
• Korean red ginseng: Supplementing with Korean red ginseng may shrink or dissolve ovarian cysts. (15) When combined with contraceptives like hormonal birth control, it may reduce high levels of testosterone and NF-κB responsible for many cysts. (16)
• Sanjie Zhentong: Research shows that this Chinese herbal blend supports cyst reduction, improves fertility, and combats inflammation. (17) Its antioxidant properties make it a common treatment for endometriosis, another source of ovarian cysts.
• Triphala Guggulu: This Ayurvedic remedy combines the detoxifying effects of Triphala with the anti-inflammatory properties of Guggulu. It supports digestion, reduces inflammation, and shows promise in cyst reduction in small studies. (18)
• Zinc: The role of zinc in reproductive health disorders is well-researched. The essential mineral supports hormone regulation and can reduce excess androgens in women with PCOS, potentially lowering the risk of cysts. (19)

Supplements that include ingredients like slippery elm and sea moss may also support better hormone balance less directly. Both are anti-inflammatories linked to better gut health.