Ovarian Cysts: Why They Occur and How They Are Treated

Ovaries are a pair of organs that play a part in the female reproductive system. Ovaries are located in the pelvic area of a woman, on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size of an almond. The job of the ovaries is to produce eggs and the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone.

Many women are diagnosed with ovarian cysts. Some range from no pain to mild discomfort, while other women experience unbearable pain. On the ovary different types of cysts can form, the most common type being a functional cyst. This type of cyst often forms around a woman’s menstrual cycle. A woman’s ovaries grow small cysts that hold eggs. When the egg has matured the sac breaks open and releases the egg, then the sac dissolves. In a follicular cyst, which is a type of functioning cyst, the sac does not break open to release the egg, and so, will continue to grow. This type of cyst will usually disappear within one to two months. The second type of functioning cyst is called a corpus luteum cyst. The egg is released causing this type of cyst, due to the sac not sealing up. Fluid will continue to build up in this sac. It usually goes away on its own after a few weeks. This type of cyst can cause pain in the ovary as well as bleeding. Both of these cysts are almost never associated with cancer.

There are also other types of cysts that occur within a woman’s reproductive organs. One of these types of cysts is called endometriomas. These types of cyst usually develop when a woman has endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition when the tissue from the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. This tissue may attach to an ovary and cause a growth. These types of cysts can be painful during sexual intercourse and during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Another type of cyst is called cystadenomas. This type of cyst develops from cells on the outer surface of an ovary. They are often filled with a watery or thick, sticky gel. Sometimes they become enlarged and cause pain. One of the last known common cysts that affect many women today is called polycystic ovaries. This occurs in a female when an egg matures within the follicles, or sacs, but the sacs do not break open and release the egg. This cycle repeats itself every month and the follicles continue to grow inside the ovary, finally resulting in a cyst. This cyst can cause a woman a lot of pain.

Many women will not show signs or any pain when they have an ovarian cyst. They may not even know they have one. Some signs are harder to ignore and will cause these symptoms:

1.
Pressure, fullness, or pain in the abdomen.
2.
A dull ache in the lower back and thighs.
3.
Women may have a problem passing urine completely.
4.
Pain during intercourse.
5.
Weight Gain
6.
Painful periods and possible abnormal bleeding.
7.
Nausea or vomiting.
8.
Breast tenderness.

Most ovarian cyst does not cause symptoms and may only be found during a routine pelvic exam. Your gynecologist will be able to feel the swelling of a cyst on your ovary. If a cyst is found then the doctor may perform an ultrasound. If the doctor is concerned about cancer of the ovary, then they will do a blood test called a CA-125. This test is done to measure substances in the blood. If the amount of protein is high then a woman has ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cysts are treated by many different ways. The most common way is called watchful waiting. The patient waits and gets re-examined in about three months to see if the cyst has changed in size. If there is no change and the cyst doesn’t go away after several menstrual periods, then surgery is the next step to get rid of the cyst. One of the last ways to treat ovarian cysts is by taking birth control pills. Taking birth control pills stops a woman from ovulating, therefore, stopping new cysts from possibly forming.

Most women never know that they have an ovarian cyst. If you, however, are experiencing any of the painful symptoms listed above, it is wise to seek medical attention and treatment from your gynecologist.