What are the dietary restrictions for chocolate cysts?

Chocolate cysts can be cured by taking regular medication according to the doctor's advice or by doing surgery. However, that was not all. Patients should also avoid dietary restrictions for chocolate cysts as part of this form of treatment. What are the dietary restrictions for chocolate cysts? Check out the following reviews.

The process of forming a chocolate cyst

Normally, during menstruation, all hormones and egg cells attached to the endometrium (uterine lining) will shed because they are not fertilized by sperm cells and will be released through the vagina in the form of blood. Menstrual blood retreating to the pre-uterine organs, such as the fallopian tubes, is the main reason for the formation of chocolate cysts.

This condition, called retrograde menstruation, causes a large amount of blood flow, hormones, egg cells, and inflammatory enzymes to collect and thicken to form the walls. These are called brown cysts because the blood that collects looks dark red-brown in color. These cysts can burst at any time and can spread to the uterine wall, abdominal organs, and pelvis.

There are many names of chocolate cysts. For example, endometrial cysts, endometriosis, and ovarian endometrioma. This disease causes unbearable pelvic and abdominal pain, and is accompanied by disruption of female fertility because menstrual cycles are disrupted and it is difficult to get pregnant. Sometimes this disease does not cause symptoms, so it is often too late to be diagnosed or known by the patient.

How is the treatment for women with chocolate cysts?

Once diagnosed, doctors will prescribe drugs to help shrink cysts called Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonists, which can cause temporary menopause for patients. This occurs because the ovaries are forced to stop producing estrogen and this helps relieve symptoms.

However, these drugs usually cause loss of bone density and decreased urge to have sexual intercourse. However, if the patient's condition is more severe and cannot be treated with the use of this drug, surgical removal of the cyst will be performed.

Apart from taking medication or having surgery, there are dietary restrictions for chocolate cysts to avoid

If you have a chocolate cyst, it is important to consider diet and lifestyle as a form of treatment to relieve symptoms and support recovery from the condition. Because some foods can trigger or aggravate the condition. Here are some dietary restrictions for chocolate cysts, such as:

1. Processed foods

Some processed foods can contain certain additives or preservatives that can cause inflammation in some people, especially in those with chocolate cysts. These foods may contain saturated fat with little nutritional value. These include packaged snacks, soft drinks, fried foods, processed bacon, baked goods and sugary foods.

2. Foods that contain gluten

Reporting from Nutritionist Resource, an information page on nutrition in the UK, said that patients with chocolate cysts who limit foods containing gluten, have milder symptoms. The reason is, the concentration of gluten in food can give a negative response to the intestines, thereby increasing pain.

Try to choose natural gluten-free foods such as rice, quinoa, and sweet potatoes. Avoid foods high in gluten such as bread and pasta.

3. Fatty foods

Full fat dairy products contain relatively saturated fats, which can cause inflammation. However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't drink milk. You can still enjoy low-fat milk and yogurt as a source of calcium. Another milk alternative is almond milk.

In addition, red meat, butter, and margarine also contain high fat, making it harder to digest and trigger inflammation.

Start limiting the use of alcohol, caffeine, and soy, which can increase estrogen levels, affect vitamin D levels, and contain high levels of phyto-oestrogens and toxins that can trigger symptoms of endometriosis. To adjust a diet that suits your condition, consultation with a doctor and nutritionist is needed to prevent the condition from getting worse due to complications.