Ovarian Cysts are fluid-filled or fluid- and solid-mixed pouches that develop in or on the ovary. Ovarian cysts are called “functional” when they are unrelated to disease; they will usually go away on their own. “Abnormal” cysts are larger than functional ones and must be treated.
Ovarian cysts are different from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which can cause infertility.
Many women experience ovarian cysts during their pre-menopausal years. Women who have had ovarian cysts in the past are at a higher risk of developing them again.
The cause of ovarian cysts is unknown.
Each month during ovulation, an egg ripens in one of the follicles in a woman’s ovary and is released. In order for the egg to be released, the follicle ruptures. When this happens the follicle develops into a smaller sac, called the corpus luteum. If the egg remains unfertilized, the corpus luteum is reabsorbed and a new follicle begins to grow for the next menstrual cycle. If the egg is fertilized, the corpus luteum remains for the first few months of pregnancy, secreting vital hormones for the developing embryo.
Two main types of functional ovarian cysts exist: follicle cysts and corpus luteum cysts. Follicle cysts either develop when the follicle ruptures to release the egg, or when the follicle fails to release the egg and just continues to enlarge. They tend to be painless, and usually disappear within 60 days. They are rarely larger than one to two inches in diameter.
Whereas follicle cysts are often undetected, corpus luteum cysts are usually painful. Corpus luteum cysts can develop after ovulation, and are filled with fluid or blood. They can grow from the size of a golf ball to the size of a grapefruit. Corpus luteum cysts usually cause pain on one side of the abdomen, and may not reabsorb as quickly as follicle cysts.
Often times, the pain associated with corpus luteum cysts is sharp, which may mean one of two things: either the cyst has ruptured, or it is undergoing a process called torsion, in which the stem of the cyst becomes twisted.
In some cases, a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (also known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome) causes multiple cysts to form on the ovary. This condition is caused by hormone irregularities in the body and can cause scarring and infertility.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts:
- Abdominal pain, pressure or feeling of heaviness
- Abnormal uterine bleeding, such as an irregular menstrual cycle, or absence of menses
- Pain during intercourse
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Urgency or constipation
- Note: symptoms of ovarian cysts are rarely present
To diagnose you with ovarian cysts, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask for your medical history. The cysts may be difficult to diagnose, so several imaging techniques may be used: pelvic ultrasound, abdominal CT scan, MRI, and/or X-ray.
Treating ovarian cysts is usually simple; most of the time, your doctor will probably recommend watching and waiting. He will monitor the cysts through ultrasounds and pelvic exams during your cycle to make sure that the cyst is not growing. Because most cysts reabsorb, watching and waiting is a safe and effective treatment option. For larger cysts, your doctor may drain the cyst laparoscopically, or, depending on its size, remove the cyst from the ovary during surgery.
There is really no way to prevent functional ovarian cysts from developing, because they develop out of the ovulation process. Your doctor may recommend that you begin taking oral contraceptives to regulate your menstrual cycle, which prevents cysts in many women.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, particularly sharp pain or bleeding, you need to consult your health care professional immediately. The symptoms associated with ovarian cysts are the same ones that can be associated with more serious conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, ectopic pregnancy, or ovarian cancer.
