It has been found that some 80% of women get one type of ovarian cyst over their lifetime. The condition is fairly common, but this does not make it less serious. Some types of cysts can cause a decrease in fertility. In rare cases, these formations can pose a threat to a baby developing in the uterus. Given all this, women should know as much as possible about the condition and its causes, symptoms and treatment.
What Are Ovarian Cysts?
Ovarian cysts are basically small sacs that are filled with fluid and found in the ovaries. There are many cysts that don’t pose any danger. Some of them, however, can cause pain and can even rupture and bleed. To remove these cysts, surgery is recommended. So, just how do they develop?
Women have two separate ovaries that store the eggs and then release them. They are both walnut sized and found on each side of the uterus. They can both produce an egg each month. This is what causes the menstrual cycle. This is a very normal experience for women.
Types of Cyst
There are four main types of cysts which can develop in the ovaries. Follicular cysts can occur around the time of ovulation and can grow fairly big. They can be very painful. Corpus luteum cysts usually go away on their own without any symptoms. Hemorrhagic cysts can cause bleeding and pain. Dermoid cysts are benign tumors.
Causes
It is not known exactly why ovarian cysts occur. The follicular and corpus luteum cysts are regarded as functional because they can occur during the normal functioning of the ovaries. All other ones probably occur due to some abnormalities, but these have not been clearly identified. Some of the risk factors include irregular menstrual cycle, early menstruation and a history of the condition.
Symptoms
Ovarian cysts may or may not have symptoms. Sometimes, it takes a physical exam or even an ultrasound to notice that they are there. The most common symptoms include abdominal pressure and pain, vaginal bleeding outside of the menstrual period, pain during urination and in rare cases nausea and vomiting.
Treatment
Most ovarian cysts can be diagnosed with endovaginal ultrasound. In some cases, a laparoscopic surgery is required. The three main forms of treatment are watchful waiting, therapy with birth control pills and surgery. Some cysts require surgical removal, such as laparoscopic surgery, laparotomy or ovarian torsion surgery.
Unfortunately, ovarian cysts cannot be prevented, but if you get regular OB exams, the risk of them causing any trouble will be minimal.
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