Ovarian cysts – are you freaked out at the very mention of the term?
What are they? And what are the treatment options available?
It is quite natural to feel scared of things that we do not know about. And if it is concerning our body, then the fear increases exponentially.
I admit, the term cysts do sound scary and ovarian cysts are even scarier. Suddenly you wonder how it will affect you as a woman.
So today I am here to say about few things you need to know about ovarian cysts. The idea is to dispel myths and misconceptions associated with ovarian cysts and to provide general awareness about the topic.
To start with I will describe what ovarian cysts are, the common types of cysts, its causes, symptoms, treatments, medical tests required to treat it. After that I will discuss a few important FAQs about these common cysts.
Refreshing your biology class memory
Firstly, I will explain you the very familiar word ovaries.
As you all know a woman possesses two ovaries or a pair of ovaries. They are an important part of the female reproductive system. The ovaries are bean shaped and reside on the either side of the uterus. These are the organs responsible for releasing egg each month and also for releasing estrogen and progesterone which are female sex hormones.
What are ovarian cysts?
So now, what are ovarian cysts?
During ovulation, a few fluid filled sacs are formed in the ovary which are called as ovarian cysts. Now, these ovarian cysts are common in most women and we all make at least one cyst every month.
In majority of women, these cysts are seen to be symptomless and harmless and will disappear on its own without any treatment.
The problem actually crops up, if unfortunately, this cyst grows in bigger size or if multiple cysts are formed.
It’s claimed that these cysts are less common after menopause. But if post-menopausal women were diagnosed with ovarian cysts they are at a very greater risk of having ovarian cancer than pre-menopausal women.
Common types of ovarian cysts and how these cysts are formed:
There are different types of ovarian cysts. I will explain about the most common ones and how they are formed.
Functional cysts are the most common, non-cancerous (benign) type of ovarian cysts that are formed during the ovulation. The two major types of functional cysts are-
#1. Follicle cysts
As you know, during our menstrual cycle, the ovaries release an egg. This is called ovulation. This egg grows and matures inside a tiny sac.
This sac is called a follicle. When this egg matures the follicle crack open and thus the matured egg is released.
But there are times when the follicle doesn’t crack open to release the matured egg. The follicle then continues to grow into a cyst. Such cysts are known as follicle cysts. These cysts which are about 1 to 2 mm in size, do not show any symptoms and will disappear on its own within a few weeks’ time.
#2. Corpus luteum cysts
Once the matured egg is released, the empty follicle sac shrinks into a large number of cells called corpus luteum. Corpus luteum makes hormones that help to prepare for the next egg that will be released during the next menstrual cycle.
Corpus luteum cysts are formed when the sac fails to shrink. After the release of the egg, the sac then seals back and fluid puffs up inside.
Most corpus luteum cysts go away after a few weeks’ time. But sometimes they can grow to a bigger size and starts to bleed or twist the ovary causing severe pain.
What causes ovarian cyst formation?
What causes an ovarian cyst is still unknown.
Experts think that it might be because of the following reasons
- Hormonal imbalances – Some women may develop ovarian cysts if they are having hormonal imbalance.
- Side effects of some drugs – Some drugs which are used to help in ovulation might cause the formation of ovarian cyst.
- Infection in the pelvic organs – Infections can spread and cause cysts to form.
- Pregnancy – During early pregnancy, an ovarian cyst is formed to aid the pregnancy until the placenta takes over. But there are times, when the cyst stays on in the ovary until late pregnancy. This is not a good sign and is quite problematic.
Symptoms of ovarian cysts
Next is probably what you all have been looking forward to read – the symptoms.
Not all ovarian cysts show symptoms. However, an ovarian cyst can show symptoms in three circumstances. They are listed below-
- In case a cyst ruptures
- If a cyst is large
- In the event a cyst causes an ovary to twist
- Pain in the pelvic area
- Dull ache in the lower back and thighs
- Trouble emptying the bladder/bowel completely
- Pain during sex
- Pain during menstruation
- Increase in body weight
- Breast tenderness
- Frequent urination
- Heavy//lighter/irregular periods
- Bloated tummy
- Feeling full sooner if you eat less also
- Vaginal bleeding (very rare)
- Difficulty getting pregnant (very rare)
Apart from these symptoms, if you have sharp pain in the pelvic area with a fever, rapid breathing and feel dizzy then you need immediate medical attention. This could be a sign of a severe issue.
Ovarian cyst symptoms may vary according to your age and the type and severity of the cyst, so routine checkups are a good practice.
How can ovarian cysts be treated?
Ovarian cysts can be treated depending on three factors. They are:
- The size and appearance of cysts
- The symptoms that you are exhibiting
- If you have reached menopause
In most of the cases, the cyst disappears within a course of a few weeks. To confirm this, a follow-up ultrasound scan is performed.
Post-menopausal women have a higher risk of ovarian cancer and due to this reason, blood tests and follow-up ultrasound scans are very much recommended for nearly one year to monitor their cyst.
#1. Under the knife
Your cysts need to be removed or need surgery if –
- The cyst is bigger than 4 inches
- It is a cancerous tumor
- It does not disappear even after a number of menstrual cycles
- Ovary “twist” has happened
#2. If your cyst does not require surgery
Your doctor will prescribe you medicines for pain relief. If you are getting cysts and if you’re not pregnant, then your doctor will suggest taking birth control pills to suppress ovulation & to reduce your chance of getting cysts. It might or might not be helpful.
What are the tests performed to diagnose ovarian cysts?
Your doctor will first check for any symptoms you are having and then proceed with the following tests to confirm if you have any cysts in your ovary.
- Pregnancy test
This is to rule out whether you are pregnant or not. As I mentioned earlier, cysts are formed during early pregnancy to help out.
- Hormone level tests
This is to check whether you have any hormonal imbalances.
- Ultrasound scan
Here a probe is first placed inside your vagina and the sound waves create images of the body parts. If a cyst is identified, then ultrasound scan should be repeated within a few weeks’ time.
Every doctors will take a watchful waiting approach to monitor the cyst for a few weeks or few months
If your doctor doubts that your cyst is cancerous, then other blood tests are performed.
- Blood tests
If you are past-menopause, a blood test is done to calculate the quantity of cancer-antigen 125 (CA-125) in your blood. It’s said that women having ovarian cancer has higher quantity of cancer antigen. Higher quantity of this cancer antigen does not confirm that women have ovarian cancer as it can also be caused by other non-cancerous conditions.
Frequently asked questions regarding ovarian cysts:
We have covered everything about ovarian cysts, but here are a few FAQs that will help you find answers to some of the most common questions regarding this topic.
#1. How to find out if I have developed an ovarian cyst?
Most of the functional cysts show no symptoms of its development so you may not find out easily if you are having a cyst or not. This can be avoided with a regular, routine visit to your gynecologist as it can help you to find out if and when you develop any cyst.
As I mentioned earlier, only a very few women may experience symptoms. A gynecologist will able to find out if there is any cause for concern.
#2. What are the types of surgeries performed to remove ovarian cysts?
Surgery is one of the methods used to remove these cysts. Your doctor will decide whether to remove your cyst alone or your ovary also depending on the test results. Ovarian cyst surgery can be done in two different ways. They are-
This method is performed mainly to remove small and non-cancerous cysts. Here, your surgeon makes a tiny cut above or below your navel to examine the pelvic area and removes the cyst.
This method is performed to remove large cysts which may be cancerous or non-cancerous. Here your surgeon makes a large cut in the abdomen to remove the cyst. The cyst is then sent to a lab to test whether it is cancerous or non-cancerous.
If the cyst is confirmed to be cancerous, then you will be referred to a gynecologic oncologist.
#3. What is Adnexal Torsion?
It is a condition in which a cyst causes an ovary to “twist” and lead to the blood supply to the ovary being cut off. This can cause a sudden, severe pain in the abdomen and causes nausea.
Adnexal torsion is a rare thing to happen but it is a very dangerous condition and needs an immediate medical attention.
#4. Am I safe from these cysts in the post-menopausal stage?
In most cases, ovarian cysts develop in pre-menopausal women. Chances are very less for these to appear after menopause. But if they appear, then chances are more for them to be cancerous cysts.
#5. Do ovarian cysts lead to cancer?
Most ovarian cysts are non-cancerous. But unfortunately, a few ovarian cysts can turn out to be cancerous.
The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age and those who are past menopause with ovarian cysts are in higher risk of getting ovarian cancer.
#6. Why the screening for ovarian cancer is not recommended for most women?
Screening for ovarian cancer is not recommended in most cases. This is mainly because tests can also lead to wrong results known as “false positives”.
#7. What is a false positive?
A false positive is a test result that gives a wrong result saying a woman has ovarian cancer when she does not.
#8. Do ovarian cysts affect one’s pregnancy?
Again in most cases, ovarian cysts do not affect chances of anyone getting pregnant. But sometimes the cyst can make it difficult for one to become pregnant.
There are two main conditions that affect pregnancy:
Endometrium is the name given to the lining of the uterus. Endometriosis is the condition in which the tissues that forms the lining of the uterus start growing abnormally outside the uterine cavity.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is the condition of having numerous small cysts on the ovaries. This is yet another main cause of difficulty getting pregnant in too many women.
#9. By any means, can I protect myself from getting ovarian cysts?
No, you cannot prevent the formation of functional ovarian cysts if you are ovulating.
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Hope I have provided you a good amount of information about ovarian cysts. This is intended to help you know more about ovarian cysts.
It goes without saying that if you have any doubts regarding your body, you need to get a check-up done by a doctor.
Routine visits to your gynecologist will help you clear your mind by getting a clean chit from your doctor. That and having a good rapport will also help make your check-ups comfortable.
Mommies, in case of any doubts regarding ovarian cysts, feel free to drop in your comments in the comment box below. I am all ears for you!