Ovarian cysts can feel like one of those medical mysteries that arrive uninvited and leave you confused, especially when they’re not related to PCOS. While many cysts are harmless and resolve on their own, the discomfort, bloating, or hormonal shifts that sometimes come with them can disrupt everyday life. Thankfully, there are natural options available that can gently support the body’s own ability to manage cysts, soothe discomfort, and restore balance. For many women, the goal is to understand what their bodies are signaling and respond with care—without jumping straight to medications or procedures unless absolutely necessary.
While every body is different and it’s important to talk with a trusted practitioner about symptoms, there are natural strategies that have helped many people feel better, experience fewer issues over time, and reconnect with their cycles in a healthier way.
Focus On Liver And Hormone Balance Through Food
Hormones don’t float around doing their own thing—they’re heavily influenced by what the liver is doing. When it’s overworked or sluggish, excess estrogen can linger longer than it should. That leftover estrogen may contribute to the kind of hormonal imbalances that sometimes feed the formation of functional ovarian cysts. One way to help clear that hormonal traffic jam is to focus on liver support through food.
Leafy greens like dandelion and arugula, lightly steamed cruciferous veggies, and warming herbs like turmeric can gently nudge the liver in the right direction. Some people also benefit from cutting back on dairy and processed oils, which can be inflammatory or disruptive to hormones. Staying hydrated and eating fiber-rich foods also plays a big role in helping the body clear out what it no longer needs.
None of this has to feel extreme. It’s less about being perfect and more about adding in support where it makes sense. Women who feel overwhelmed by the diet side of things often find it helpful to get individualized support from naturopathic consultations in San Diego, where a practitioner can help them figure out what their body actually responds well to. No guesswork—just gentle guidance rooted in whole-body wellness.
Herbal Allies That Support Ovarian Health
Many women throughout history have turned to plants when their reproductive systems needed a little extra love. And even today, herbs are a mainstay in many naturopathic approaches to reproductive balance. While it’s always smart to check in with a practitioner before jumping into herbal protocols, certain herbs show up again and again for a reason.
Chaste tree berry (also known as vitex) is often used to support progesterone production and regulate cycles, which can help prevent the type of hormone fluctuations that lead to recurring cysts. Dong quai, a traditional herb used in Chinese medicine, may help with blood flow and ease pelvic discomfort, especially around the luteal phase of the cycle. Milk thistle is another one to keep in mind—not just because it supports the liver, but because it may indirectly help with hormone metabolism, which can matter a lot when dealing with ovarian cysts.
For those looking to go deeper into herbal remedies, Avena Natural Health is a valuable resource. Their approach to natural care looks at the whole person, not just symptoms. A customized plan, possibly incorporating herbs, can be crafted around your personal cycle, history, and overall constitution. It’s that kind of attention to detail that can make a big difference when standard advice hasn’t quite cut it.
Gentle Movement And Pelvic Circulation
There’s something about movement that just gets things flowing—literally. While high-intensity workouts can be great for some health goals, when it comes to supporting the body through ovarian cysts, slow and steady often wins. Activities like walking, light yoga, and gentle stretching can help encourage circulation through the pelvic area. Better circulation may mean less stagnation, less discomfort, and potentially quicker resolution of small functional cysts.
Specific yoga poses that open the hips or stretch the lower abdomen, like bound angle or legs-up-the-wall, are often recommended by holistic practitioners. But even just making space each day to move your body with care can do wonders. It’s not about burning calories—it’s about creating softness and ease in a part of the body that often holds tension.
Women who live with ongoing discomfort, bloating, or irregular cycles sometimes benefit from therapies that go beyond movement alone. In those cases, treatments like IV therapy in San Diego may be suggested as part of a broader naturopathic plan. IV nutrients can be tailored to support hormone metabolism, reduce inflammation, and address common deficiencies that may be contributing to symptoms. It’s a more direct route to support, especially for those who feel like oral supplements just aren’t cutting it.
Stress, Sleep, And The Cyst Connection
Stress isn’t just a mental game. It affects everything from digestion to blood sugar, and yes—reproductive hormones too. Cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, can disrupt the delicate balance of estrogen and progesterone. This disruption can make it harder for cysts to resolve, or even increase the likelihood of new ones forming. While eliminating stress entirely isn’t realistic, building in small moments of calm can change the whole picture.
That might look like five minutes of deep breathing in the morning, turning off screens earlier at night, or sipping a calming tea before bed. Sleep hygiene is also underrated when it comes to hormone support. A regular sleep schedule, a cool dark room, and winding down without blue light can help the body regulate its hormonal rhythms more smoothly.
Those looking to get more serious about stress-related imbalances often turn to naturopathic doctors in San Diego who understand the links between mood, hormones, and physical symptoms. Instead of writing off stress as “just life,” a good practitioner can help uncover underlying contributors—like blood sugar fluctuations or nutrient deficiencies—and offer meaningful strategies to bring the body back into balance.
A Gentle Path Forward
There’s a certain peace that comes with feeling like you’re supporting your body instead of fighting it. Ovarian cysts can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and unpredictable, but they don’t have to lead to panic or helplessness. Natural remedies, from herbs to nutrient-rich foods to body-centered practices like movement and sleep, can help your body do what it was designed to do—restore and repair. And when you need more focused support, a personalized approach from professionals like the team at Avena Natural Health can provide both clarity and care.
For some, exploring therapies like IV therapy adds a deeper level of support that feels like a reset from the inside out. And for those wanting to understand the full picture, naturopathic consultations can offer the kind of time and insight that conventional appointments often miss.
Let healing feel slow, safe, and supported. The body is always speaking—we just have to find the right ways to listen.
Media Credit: All photos licensed from Adobe.
Dr. Laura Kostrzewski, a San Diego native, completed her undergraduate degree at California Polytechnic State University, earning a BS in animal science with minors in Spanish and Psychology. She then earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and taught fifth grade in the central coast of California for two years. After being extremely involved in her grandfather’s journey with Parkinson’s disease and end-of-life care, Dr. Kostrzewski decided to move back to San Diego and enroll at Bastyr University California. Dr. Kostrzewski received her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University California in June of 2019, and then went on to complete her residency at Bastyr. Before AVENA Wellness, DR. K started her own private practice, focusing on management of neurodegenerative conditions, and continued teaching at Bastyr as adjunct faculty, until founding Avena Health.