Ovarian Cysts

Overview

Ovarian cysts are a type of fluid-filled sac that develops inside the ovaries. There are different types of cysts, and the most common types include follicular and corpus luteum cysts. These cysts are harmless and do not cause any severe complications, so their development goes unnoticed in most cases.

Cysts are very common for women with regular periods. Women usually develop follicular or luteal cysts every month. If the cysts grow unnaturally and form other cysts in the ovaries that do not go away on their own, they need to be brought to the doctor’s attention.

Cysts can be dangerous if any woman faces pain in their abdomen with fever and vomiting or feels rapid breathing. Such symptoms occur if the cysts have broken or ruptured leading to heavy bleeding. They should talk to the healthcare provider immediately for prompt diagnosis.

What is an Ovarian Cyst?

An ovarian cyst is a semisolid structure that develops inside the ovaries. Ovaries, in the size of almonds, release eggs during the monthly cycle in childbearing years. When eggs are released from the ovaries and filled with fluid, they develop cysts. Some cysts are painless and resolve after a few months. However, some cysts rupture and leave serious complications.
There are different types of cysts and some need healthcare provider's attention on an immediate basis. Women should schedule their diagnostic exams often to check if there is any development of cysts or not. Speaking with the provider and doing pelvic tests often can prevent cysts from developing.

Types of Ovarian Cysts

Most ovarian cysts are functional and they develop to respond to the changes during menstruation. There are other cysts as well which do not develop because of menstruation. Here are the types of cysts:

Functional Cysts

Known as the most common type of ovarian cysts and mostly benign, these primarily develop because of the release of an egg from the ovary. Functional cysts are resolved on their own within 60 days and do not require any specific treatment. Two types of functional cysts exist:

Follicular Cysts

The follicle is a small sac in the ovaries that releases eggs every month during the menstrual cycle. A follicular cyst is developed when the follicle is unable to release eggs and fills the sac with fluid.

Corpus Luteum Cysts

A hormone-producing group of cells are known as corpus luteum when the follicle releases eggs. If the corpus luteum is filled with fluid and grows abnormally, it develops cysts.

Other Cysts

Ovarian cysts are always the outcome of the menstrual cycle. There are cysts which are unrelated to menstruation and they include:

• Cystadenomas: These cysts are developed on the surface of the ovary. It looks more like mucus and sometimes, it is thin and watery.
• Endometriomas: These cysts can be dangerous and they primarily develop outside of the uterus. These cysts are filled with endometrial tissue which are released during menstruation.
• Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian cysts, also the tumour, hold the solid cancerous cells.

Ovarian Cysts Symptoms

Cysts in small sizes cause hardly any symptoms. In such cases, women may be unaware that they have cysts in their ovaries. When cysts grow abnormally, they may result in pelvic pain or sharp aches in the back. Besides, one can feel bloating every now and then if their ovaries are filled with these fluid-filled sacs.

In addition to these, women can face extreme pain during intercourse or they may experience extreme cramps during menstruation. If symptoms persist over a period, it turns to polycystic ovary syndrome.

PCOS is a condition that can impact women by causing irregular periods and other hormone-related problems. Such conditions can also cause problems like obesity and infertility. Women going through such conditions can face hirsutism and slow metabolism. Hirsutism increases the body's hair growth and the slow metabolism makes it difficult to lose weight.

Ovarian Cysts Causes

The common causes of ovarian cysts include hormonal problems, severe pelvic infections, endometriosis, and pregnancy. When there is an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, ovaries do not get the signal to release eggs leading to the development of ovarian cysts.

Unlike functional cysts, women with endometriosis develop a type of ovarian cyst known as endometrioma. These kinds of cysts are very painful at the time of intercourse and menstruation. Severe pelvic infection which happens primarily because of endometriosis can cause ovarian cysts. This happens when infection spreads to the ovaries leading to the abnormal growth of cysts.

Pregnancy is a natural cause that leads to the development of ovarian cysts. It develops at the initial stage of pregnancy and stays there until an advanced stage. Sometimes, it needs a surgical process to remove it.

Ovarian Cysts Diagnosis and Tests

There are specific tests to diagnose an ovarian cyst. Healthcare providers may suggest a pelvic exam to check the inside of the pelvic area for any lumps. Ultrasound is suggested in most of the cases to properly screen the internal organs of the body. This is done through the soundwaves. Such tests spot any growth of cysts in ovaries including their nature and location.

Laparoscopy is a surgical process conducted in the operating room. Here, the healthcare provider inserts a camera through an incision in the abdomen to look for any changes in the reproductive organs.

Ovarian Cysts Management and Treatment

Functional cysts often do not require any treatment. It forms on its own and goes away within a stipulated time. However, the treatment for ovarian cysts depends on several factors like age, symptoms, and causes. If the functional cysts do not resolve after a certain time and cause severe complications, providers suggest an ultrasound to check the size of the cysts.

Also, contraceptives are generally prescribed for such cysts to be released. These contraceptives stop the ovulation process and prevent the development of any cysts in future. When cysts become abnormally huge, they require surgery to remove them from the ovaries.

Laparoscopy is a procedure discussed earlier where a camera is inserted to check the internal organs. Laparotomy is another process that can be performed in case the cysts are huge and there are other concerning factors involved.

Preventive Measures of Ovarian Cysts

There is no specific way to prevent ovarian cysts from developing. However, women can manage it by following a healthy lifestyle. Obesity is often blamed as the primary cause of developing cysts. Hence, it is better to manage weight by consuming healthy foods and staying active throughout.

Hormonal birth control pills can stop the ovulation process. So, when the cysts are stubborn, one can take such pills following the doctor's advice. Regular gynaecological exams can help women detect cysts at an early stage. Women should be extremely concerned and note any changes in their menstrual cycle and consult with a physician accordingly.

Myths and Facts Related to Ovarian Cysts

Here are some popular myths associated with ovarian cysts and the facts based on those myths:

Myth 1: Cysts in Ovaries are Cancerous and Can Cause Multiple Health Problems
Fact: Not all forms of cysts are cancerous. They are just fluid-filled sacs that form in ovaries. Most of the time, cysts release on their own and do not need any treatment. At the time of routine pelvic exams or ultrasound, the presence of cysts is noticed.

Myth 2: Ovarian Cysts Cause Abdominal Pain, Irregular Menstruation, and Painful Cycles
Fact: In most of the cases, they are asymptomatic. In case when they become large, women start feeling abdominal discomfort and pain sometimes. Women with PCOS syndrome face irregular periods and experience cramps during menstruation. Otherwise, with normal cysts, women hardly notice any changes in their menstruation cycle.

Myth 3: Cysts Occur at an Older Age
Fact: There are no studies which support that only older women will have ovarian cysts. Rather, cysts are very common and they can occur in newborn children to women who are above 80. When cysts are present after menopause, women should check with the physician and rule out any symptoms of cancerous cells.