most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-05-21T13:56:37Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/question/90372 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/90372/multiple-ovarian-cysts-while-eating-a-low-carb-paleo-diet Priscilla 2012-01-14T21:03:06Z 2012-01-15T12:32:23Z

<p>I've been absent from the paleohacks community for a little while, but this is something that I haven't been able to wrap my head around and wanted to throw it out there to you guys. </p> <p>Some background: I am 22, 5'9" and 135lbs. I have been eating a low-carb paleo for 6 months (with butter, and cream in my coffee). For a couple of years prior, I was following a loosely low-carb diet. I have never had ovulation pain, or bad menstrual cramps in my entire life. My periods have always been very regular, varying at most 27-31 days. I usually work out 2-3x/week. </p> <p>About a week after my last period, I started having intense lower abdominal pain near my ovaries. Sometimes unilaterally, sometimes bilaterally, but it never went away. After 5 days I started getting shooting pains and feeling dizzy and very nauseous. Upon going to my gyno, the ultrasound he performed showed that I had multiple ovarian cysts. He said it wasn't enough to be PCOS just yet, but told me that I should go on birth control immediately to prevent the condition from getting worse, so I wouldn't develop the symptoms of PCOS, so I'd be able to have kids more easily in the future, etc.</p> <p>And here is where my question lies: I've read tons of info online and elsewhere about low-carb helping women with PCOS get off of birth control and hormones, help them lose weight and help leptin sensitivity, etc. I do Not, not not want to start taking exogenous hormones, and I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with a condition like this While they were already eating a paleo/low-carb diet? If so, did your condition improve as you continued to eat this way? Should I continue to eat low-carb/low-sugar and see if it helps improve the condition? If I've had this condition for a long time, why would it be rearing its ugly head Now after I have been eating so cleanly? Did you or did you not start taking hormones, and what was the result? Any information you guys could give me would be appreciated :)</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/90372/multiple-ovarian-cysts-while-eating-a-low-carb-paleo-diet/90419#90419 Dragonfly 2012-01-15T02:22:58Z 2012-01-15T02:22:58Z

<p>More tinkering and patience! Hormones can take some time to sort themselves out.</p> <p>I would suggest getting your Vitamin D status tested. </p> <p>Also, supplementing with Zinc or eating oysters twice a week (and adding in more Vitamin E) may be helpful.</p> <p>And get rid of any <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenoestrogen" rel="nofollow">xenoestrogens</a> in the house (BPA, beauty aids, cleaning products, laundry detergent, etc.) </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/90372/multiple-ovarian-cysts-while-eating-a-low-carb-paleo-diet/90469#90469 Happy Now 2012-01-15T08:17:04Z 2012-01-15T08:17:04Z

<p>I don't know what your dairy intake was before, but some people are really sensitive to it. I have PCOS and most dietary recommendations I find about dealing with it suggest a dairy-free diet. (Shhh, I still put a spoonful of cream in my coffee and eat some butter too, but maybe that's why I still have all these cysts.)</p> <p>I'm a little confused about your doc saying that the presence of some cysts could turn into PCOS. There are perfectly normal transient cysts women get in their ovaries that will usually heal on their own over time. The PCOS cysts are quite numerous and tiny. Seems like two very different things to me.</p> <p>As to the above thread about the Cod Liver Oil, that gave me pause, I added it to my short list of supplements around November. My fingers are crossed that I haven't screwed myself up with that. Another thought occurred to me, I know of some midwives who recommend women stop taking fish oil for a little while right before their due dates because it is a pretty effective blood thinner. I wonder if excess menstrual bleeding because of the blood thinning effects could have been contributing to some of the CLO induced misery. </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/90372/multiple-ovarian-cysts-while-eating-a-low-carb-paleo-diet/90489#90489 Anonymous 2012-01-15T12:32:23Z 2012-01-15T12:32:23Z

<p>How is your iodine intake? While I have not read too many papers on the topic, there is some evidence that decreased thyroid hormones contribute to ovarian cysts. Dietary iodine is needed to produce the thyroid hormones. One of the problems of a paleo/primal diet is that by cutting out processed foods and choosing sea salt over table salt, people also cut out the iodine that supplements these foods. If you are also experiencing increased sensitivity to cold conditions, dry skin, constipation, weakness, fatigue, etc... besides menstrual problems and ovarian cysts there may be a chance that you have low iodine levels and you should get a TSH, T3 and T4 test done. </p>