Ovarian cysts are small sacs in the ovary which contain fluid. These are very normal and form naturally during ovulation. Many women with ovarian cysts do not have any symptoms at all.
There are different types of cysts but the most common are follicular and corpus luteum cysts. These two are functional types of cysts related to the normal function and hormonal fluctuations of your menstrual cycle.
In women who have regular menstrual cycles and ovulate monthly, an egg will grow inside a small sac called a follicle. During ovulation, the follicle ruptures and the egg is released. If the sac does not rupture, it can grow to form a follicular cyst. Often, women with follicular cysts do not have any symptoms. In some cases, however, the cysts may grow in size, fill with more fluid and blood, and cause swelling and pain.
Once an egg has been released after ovulation, the empty follicle shrinks and becomes a corpus luteum. The role of the corpus luteum is to secrete progesterone to increase vascularity of the endometrium, should implantation of a fertilized egg take place. If this does not occur, then a woman will experience her period.
A corpus luteum cyst forms when an empty follicular sac does not shrink and instead seals itself up, accumulates fluid, and grows in size. Often, these cysts disappear on their own. Women who take medication to induce ovulation are at higher risk of forming corpus luteum cysts.
Other forms of functional cysts continue to be present in the female reproductive system even after menopause. Often these cysts are just monitored regularly via ultrasound to assess if intervention is needed or not.
There are also other types of ovarian cysts which are not functional. Simply put, these cysts are not related to the normal functioning of your menstrual cycle.
In women with endometriosis, the ovaries are a common site where endometrial lesions may grow and develop. These fluid-filled cysts get their name from their brown, chocolate-like appearance. While typically non-cancerous, these cysts often cause pain in the ovaries especially during ovulation and menses.
Also called teratomas, ovarian dermoid cysts are the most unusual of cysts. They form from embryonic cells and can contain other types of body tissue such as teeth, bone, and hair. Some can also grow large enough to cause discomfort and pain and may even lead to the ovary moving out of position.
These benign ovarian tumors filled with fluid and mucus can grow quite large, causing ovarian torsion and pain. Ovarian torsion is the painful twisting of the ovary, which decreases or even stops blood flow to the ovary.
The following are symptoms of ovarian cysts. Although symptoms are mainly associated with larger cysts, it is possible to experience symptoms with smaller cysts as well.
Many factors can contribute to pelvic pain and it can be difficult to get a quick and accurate diagnosis. However, sudden and severe pain should be attended to immediately by someone who specialises in this area.
If you have symptoms of an ovarian cyst, diagnosis will be made via imaging (ultrasound). The type and size of the cyst, as well as your symptoms, will determine what treatment you will receive. Often, unless imaging results demonstrate overly concerning results, cysts are left under observation for approximately two months to see if they resolve on their own.
There are a number of reasons why a cyst would be removed surgically:
Most cysts don’t rupture, but sometimes they do. Functional cysts are the most common type to rupture. When cysts rupture, they can cause symptoms which range from mild to severe. Ruptured cysts can be painless and mild to severely painful. Severe symptoms caused by ruptured cysts can include intense pain in the abdomen and even internal bleeding. If this is the case, you need medical attention and treatment immediately.
There are certain risk factors that increase your chances of developing an ovarian cyst:
Cysts are a serious health concern for women and are best managed under a knowledgeable practitioners. Our practitioner team can assist you with the right advice for your individual situation.
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