Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian Cyst Causes

A follicle (cyst) grows in the ovary each month during the menstrual cycle. The follicle is where the egg develops.

In preparation for pregnancy, the follicle produces the hormone estrogen, which causes normal changes in the lining of the uterus.

When the egg matures, it leaves the follicle. This is called ovulation.

If the follicle does not break and release an egg, the fluid remains in the follicle and forms a cyst. This is called a follicular cyst.

Another type of cyst occurs after an egg is removed from the follicle. This is called a corpus luteum cyst. This type of cyst usually contains a small amount of blood. It secretes the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Ovarian cysts are most common during the reproductive years, from puberty to menopause. After that the situation is less common.

Taking fertility drugs often causes a large number of follicles (cysts) to form in the ovaries. Cysts disappear after a woman's period or after pregnancy.

Functional ovarian cysts differ from ovarian tumors or cysts due to hormone-related conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cyst?

Ovarian cysts usually do not cause symptoms.

An ovarian cyst causes more pain if:

Growing

Overflows

Breaks

Blocks blood flow in the ovaries

Bends or twists the ovaries

Symptoms of ovarian cysts can include:

Bloating or flatulence

Pain during defecation

Pelvic pain shortly after the start or end of the menstrual period

Pain with intercourse or pelvic pain during movement

Constant, dull pelvic pain

Sudden severe pelvic pain, often with nausea and vomiting (may be a sign of twisting or twisting in the ovarian bloodstream, or a ruptured cyst with internal bleeding)

Changes in menstrual periods are rare in follicular cysts. These are more common in corpus luteum cysts. Some cysts may have spotting or bleeding.

Diagnosis and tests

Your doctor may find a cyst during a pelvic exam or when you have an ultrasound for another reason.

Ultrasound may be done to detect a cyst. Your provider may need to re-examine you in 6 to 8 weeks to make sure it's gone.

Other imaging tests that may be done as needed include:

Computed tomography

Doppler flow studies

Magnetic resonance

The following blood tests may be done:

CA-125 test to look for possible cancer if you've gone through menopause or have an abnormal ultrasound

Hormone levels (such as HL, FSH, estradiol, and testosterone)

Pregnancy test (serum HCG)

Ovarian Cyst Treatment

Functional ovarian cysts usually do not need treatment. They usually disappear on their own within 8 to 12 weeks.

If you have frequent ovarian cysts, your gynecologist may prescribe birth control pills (oral contraceptives). These pills can reduce the risk of new cysts. These pills do not shrink existing cysts.

You may need to have surgery to remove the cyst or ovary to confirm you don't have ovarian cancer. Surgery will most likely be needed for:

Intractable complex ovarian cysts

Cysts that cause symptoms and don't go away

Cysts that increase in size

Simple ovarian cysts larger than 10 centimeters

Women who are near or post-menopausal

Types of surgery for ovarian cysts include:

Diagnostic laparotomy

Pelvic laparoscopy

You may need other treatments if you have polycystic ovarian disease or another disorder that can cause cysts.

Prospects (prognosis)

Cysts are more likely to pass in women who are still menstruating. A complex cyst in a postmenopausal woman has a higher risk of becoming cancerous. If it is a simple cyst, the probability of cancer is very low.

Possible complications

Complications are related to the condition causing the cysts and can occur with the following cysts:

Bleeding

Opening

They show signs of changes that may be cancerous.

They show torsion according to the size of the cyst. Larger cysts carry higher risk

When to contact a gynecologist

Call your doctor if:

you have ovarian cyst symptoms

severe pain

You have bleeding that is not normal for you

Also, call your doctor if the following symptoms are present most days for at least 2 weeks:

Feeling full quickly while eating

Loss of appetite

Lose weight

These symptoms may be an indication of ovarian cancer. Studies that encouraged women to look for possible symptoms of ovarian cancer did not show any benefit. Unfortunately, we do not have a proven method for detecting ovarian cancer.

Prevention

It can be avoided by taking birth control pills if you are not trying to get pregnant frequently and develop functional cysts. These inhibit the growth of follicles.

Alternative names

Functional ovarian cysts; Physiological ovarian cysts; Cysts of the corpus luteum; Follicular cysts