Ovarian Cysts, Common Causes, Types, Symptoms & Treatment!
Ovarian Cysts Overview:
What Are Ovaries?
- The ovaries are a pair of organs in the female reproductive system.
- They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus, which is the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows.
- Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond.
- The ovaries produce eggs and female hormones.
- Hormones are chemicals that control the way certain cells or organs function.
Every Month,
Every Month, during the menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary in a process called ovulation. The egg travels from the ovary through the fallopian tube to the uterus. The ovaries are also the main source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones influence the development of a woman’s breasts, body shape, and body hair. They also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
What is An Ovarian Cyst?
An ovarian cyst is a larger fluid-filled sac (more than 1-inch – 3cm in diameter) that develops on or in an ovary. A cyst can vary in size from a few centimeters to the size of a large melon. Ovarian cysts may be thin-walled and only contain fluid (known as a simple cyst) or they may be more complex, containing thick fluid, blood or solid areas.
Many women have ovarian cysts at some time. Most ovarian cysts present little or no discomfort and are harmless. The majority disappears without treatment within a few months.
Causes:
The most common causes of ovarian cysts include:
A. Hormonal Problems:
Functional cysts usually go away on their own without treatment. They may be caused by hormonal problems or by drugs used to help you ovulate.
B. Endometriosis:
Women with endometriosis can develop a type of ovarian cyst called an endometrioma. The endometriosis tissue may attach to the ovary and form a growth. These cysts can be painful during sex and during your period.
C. Pregnancy:
An ovarian cyst normally develops in early pregnancy to help support the pregnancy until the placenta forms. Sometimes, the cyst stays on the ovary until later in the pregnancy and may need to be removed.
D. Severe Pelvic Infections:
Infections can spread to the ovaries and fallopian tubes and cause cysts to form.
Signs & Symptoms:
Most ovarian cysts are small and don’t cause symptoms.
- If a cyst does cause symptoms, you may have pressure, bloating, swelling, or pain in the lower abdomen on the side of the cyst. This pain may be sharp or dull and may come and go.
- If a cyst ruptures, it can cause sudden, severe pain.
- If a cyst causes twisting of an ovary, you may have pain along with nausea and vomiting.
Less common symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain.
- Dull ache in the lower back and thighs.
- Problems emptying the bladder or bowel completely.
- Pain during sex.
- Unexplained weight gain.
- Pain during your period.
- Unusual (not normal) vaginal bleeding.
- Breast tenderness.
- Needing to urinate more often.
Types of Ovarian Cysts:
The most common types of ovarian cysts (called functional cysts) form during the menstrual cycle. They are usually benign (not cancerous).
The two most common types of cysts are:
1. Follicle Cysts:
In a normal menstrual cycle, an ovary releases an egg each month. The egg grows inside a tiny sac called a follicle. When the egg matures, the follicle breaks open to release the egg. Follicle cysts form when the follicle doesn’t break open to release the egg. This causes the follicle to continue growing into a cyst. Follicle cysts often have no symptoms and go away in one to three months.
2. Corpus Luteum Cysts:
Once the follicle breaks open and releases the egg, the empty follicle sac shrinks into a mass of cells called corpus luteum. Corpus luteum makes hormones to prepare for the next egg for the next menstrual cycle. Corpus luteum cysts form if the sac doesn’t shrink. Instead, the sac reseals itself after the egg is released, and then fluid builds up inside.
Most Corpus Luteum Cysts,
go away after a few weeks. But, they can grow to almost four inches wide. They also may bleed or twist the ovary and cause pain. Some medicines used to cause ovulation can raise the risk of getting these cysts.
Other types of benign ovarian cysts are less common:
- Endometriomas are caused by endometriosis. Endometriosis happens when the lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside of the uterus.
- Dermoids come from cells present from birth and do not usually cause symptoms.
- Cystadenomas are filled with watery fluid and can sometimes grow large.
In Some Women,
The ovaries make many small cysts. This is called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It can cause problems with the ovaries and with getting pregnant. Malignant (cancerous) cysts are rare. They are more common in older women. Cancerous cysts are ovarian cancer. For this reason, ovarian cysts should be checked by your doctor. Most ovarian cysts are not cancerous.
Treatment:
Treatment depends on your age, the type and size of your cyst, and your symptoms. Your doctor might suggest:
A. Watchful Waiting:
The patient waits and gets re-examined in one to three months to see if the cyst has changed in size. This is a common treatment option for women who are in their childbearing years, have no symptoms, and have a fluid-filled cyst. It also might be an option for postmenopausal women.
B. Surgery:
If the cyst doesn’t go away after several menstrual periods, has got- ten larger, looks unusual on the ultrasound, causes pain, or you’re post-menopausal, the doctor may want to remove it.
There are two main surgical procedures:
1. Laparoscopy:
if the cyst is small and looks benign on the ultrasound, your doctor may perform a laparoscopy. This procedure is done under general anesthesia. A very small incision is made above or below the navel, and a small instrument that acts like a telescope is inserted into the abdomen. If the cyst is small and looks benign, it can be removed.
2. Laparotomy:
if the cyst is large and looks suspicious, the doctor may perform a procedure called a laparotomy. This procedure involves making bigger incisions in the stomach to remove the cyst. While you are under general anesthesia, the doctor is able to have the cyst tested to find out if the tissue is cancerous. If it is cancerous, the doctor may need to remove the ovary and other tissues that may be affected, like the uterus or lymph nodes.
C. Medication, Birth Control Pills:
If you frequently develop cysts, your doctor may prescribe birth control pills to prevent you from ovulating. This will lower the chances of forming new cysts.
Ovarian Cysts Prevention:
Ovarian cysts cannot be prevented.
Fortunately, the vast majority of cysts don’t cause any symptoms, are not related to cancer and go away on their own. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you notice any changes in your period, pain in the pelvic area, or any of the major symptoms listed above.
A pelvic exam, possibly with an ultrasound, can help determine if a cyst is causing the problem. If a woman is not seeking pregnancy and develops functional cysts, frequently, future cysts may be prevented by taking oral contraceptives, Depo-Provera, or Norplant.
FAQS:
I. Who Gets Ovarian Cysts?
Ovarian cysts are common in women with regular periods. In fact, most women make at least one follicle or corpus luteum cyst every month. You may not be aware that you have a cyst unless there is a problem that causes the cyst to grow or if multiple cysts form. About 8% of premenopausal women develop large cysts that need treatment.
Ovarian cysts are less common after menopause. Postmenopausal women with ovarian cysts are at higher risk for ovarian cancer.
At Any Age,
see your doctor if you think you have a cyst. See your doctor also if you have symptoms such as bloating, needing to urinate more often, pelvic pressure or pain, or abnormal (unusual) vaginal bleeding. These can be signs of a cyst or other serious problem.
II. When are Women Most Likely to Have Ovarian Cysts?
Functional ovarian cysts usually occur during the childbearing years. Most often, cysts in women of this age group are not cancerous. Women who are past menopause (ages 50-70) with ovarian cysts have a higher risk of ovarian cancer. At any age, if you think you have a cyst, it’s important to tell your doctor.
III. Can Ovarian Cysts Lead to Cancer?
Yes, some ovarian cysts can become cancerous. But most ovarian cysts are not cancerous. The risk for ovarian cancer increases as you get older. Women who are past menopause with ovarian cysts have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Talk to your doctor about your risk for ovarian cancer. Screening for ovarian cancer is not recommended for most women.3 This is because testing can lead to “false positives.” A false positive is a test result that says a woman has ovarian cancer when she does not.
IV. How Are Ovarian Cysts Found?
If you have symptoms of ovarian cysts, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may do a pelvic exam to feel for swelling of a cyst on your ovary.
If a cyst is found, your doctor will either watch and wait or order tests to help plan treatment. Tests include:
- Ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to create images of the body. With ultrasound, your doctor can see the cyst’s: Shape, Size, Location, Mass (whether it is fluid-filled, solid, or mixed).
- Pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy.
- Hormone level tests to see if there are hormone-related problems.
- Blood test. If you are past menopause, your doctor may give you a test to measure the amount of cancer-antigen 125 (CA-125) in your blood. The amount of CA-125 is higher with ovarian cancer. In premenopausal women, many other illnesses or diseases besides cancer can cause higher levels of CA-125.
V. What if I am Pregnant & My Ultrasound Scan Has Shown That I Have a Cyst?
Simple ovarian cysts are often found on the ultrasound scan during pregnancy and most will disappear as pregnancy progresses. If the cyst is large or complex, you may be offered further scans during pregnancy and a scan after your baby is born. An operation to remove the cyst during pregnancy would only be recommended if you have pain thought to be due to the cyst, or, very rarely, if cancer is suspected.
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Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment of any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”
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