Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled pockets found in an ovary or even on its surface. Women have two ovaries — in the size and shape of an almond — on each uterus side. The eggs that develop and mature in the ovaries are released monthly during childbearing times.
Several women have ovarian cysts. Most ovarian cysts display little or no discomfort and are considered harmless. The majority vanishes without treatment within few months.
However, ovarian cysts that have ruptured can cause severe symptoms. To protect your health, get routine pelvic exams and identify the symptoms that can indicate a serious problem.
Types of Ovarian cysts
The two types of ovarian cyst are:
- Functional ovarian cysts develop as a part of the menstrual cycle and are normally harmless and short-lived.
- Pathological ovarian cysts develop as a result of abnormal cell growth; these are much less common.
Symptoms
An ovarian cyst usually causes symptoms if it splits, is huge, or prevents the ovaries’ blood supply.
- Pelvic pain – It can cause a heavy sensation to a severe and sharp pain.
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Difficulty clearing your bowels
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Heavy, irregular, or lighter periods than usual
- Swollen tummy
- Difficulty getting pregnant
Symptoms of a ruptured ovarian cyst
A ruptured ovarian cyst will not always produce symptoms, especially if the cyst is small. Though, sometimes a ruptured ovarian cyst can lead to pain and internal bleeding. The pain typically comes on suddenly and occurs only on one side. The pain may occur during physical activity or sexual intercourse. A ruptured ovarian cyst normally does not cause fever or gastrointestinal symptoms.
How are Ovarian cysts diagnosed?
Sometimes ovarian cysts can be seen by a doctor during a bimanual examination of the pelvis. If a cyst is speculated based on symptoms or physical examination, imaging techniques are applied. Most cysts can be diagnosed by ultrasound, which is the ideal imaging technique for identifying them. Ultrasound makes use of sound waves to get an image of structures inside the body. Ultrasound imaging is painless and does not cause any harm. Transvaginal ultrasound is a diagnostic tool to visualize the ovaries using a thin ultrasound probe in the vagina.
Causes of Ovarian cysts
Most ovarian cysts occur due to your menstrual cycle. Other types of cysts are less common.
Functional cysts
Your ovaries usually grow structures called follicles every month. Follicles generate the hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and release an egg whenever you ovulate.
If a regular monthly follicle keeps growing, it’s known as a functional cyst. There are two different kinds of functional cysts:
- Follicular cyst-Around the midpoint of your menstrual cycle, the egg rushes out of its follicle and goes down the fallopian tube. A follicular cyst occurs when the follicle doesn’t rupture or release the egg but proceeds to grow.
- Corpus luteum cyst-When a follicle releases the egg, it starts producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone for conception. This follicle is called the corpus luteum. Fluid can accumulate inside the follicle, prompting the corpus luteum to grow into a cyst.
Functional cysts are known to be harmless and often disappear on their own.
Other cysts
Cysts not linked to the normal function of your menstrual cycle
- Dermoid cysts-Called as teratomas, these cysts contain tissue, such as hair, skin, or teeth, as they form from embryonic cells.
- Cystadenomas- They develop on the surface of the ovary and might be filled with a mucous material.
- Endometriomas-These grows as a result of a condition in which uterine endometrial cells develop outside your uterus. Some of these tissues can attach to your ovary and create growth.
Dermoid cysts and cystadenomas can grow large, causing the ovary to move out of its position. This raises the chance of painful twisting of your ovary, which is called ovarian torsion. Ovarian torsion can also result in decreasing or even stopping the blood flow to the ovary.
Treatment
Most ovarian cysts disappear naturally in about one to three months, although they can rupture and create pain. They are harmless and have no long-term consequences. All women will have follicular cysts at some point that can go unnoticed.
Ultrasound is helpful to determine if the cyst is simple or compound.
In summary, the perfect treatment of ovarian cysts depends on the cause of the cysts and if it is producing symptoms or not. The age, the cyst’s size, and the cyst’s features on ultrasound are also factors that help decide the treatment. Cysts that are functional are observed with regular monitoring unless they rupture and cause bleeding, in which case surgical treatment is needed. Benign and malignant tumors need an operation.
Treatment can be simple observation, or it can even involve evaluating blood tests such as a CA-125 to determine the potential for cancer.
There are no home remedies to cure ovarian cysts other than taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs only for pain management.
Surgery for Ovarian cysts
The cyst can be surgically removed with laparoscopy, or if required, an open abdominal incision, i.e., laparotomy, if it is causing extreme pain. After the cyst is removed, the growth will be sent to a pathologist who studies the tissue under a microscope to make a conclusive diagnosis as to the type of cyst.
Which specialties of doctors can treat ovarian cysts?
Gynecologists-obstetricians are the medical specialists that can treat ovarian cysts.
Prevention
Although there’s no proven way for the prevention of ovarian cysts, regular pelvic exams can help guarantee that changes in your ovaries are diagnosed as soon as possible. Stay alert to changes in your monthly cycle, like unusual menstrual symptoms, particularly the ones that endure for more than a few cycles.