Ovarian cysts

SYMPTOMS OF OVARIAN CYSTS

Some women will not have any symptoms when they have ovarian cysts. Other women will have one or more of the following symptoms: 

·        Menstrual irregularities

·        Pain in pelvic area that is constant or intermittent, it may be a dull ache that can radiate to your lower back and thighs

·        Pelvic pain that mainly occurs shortly before your menstruation begins or just before it ends

·        Pelvic pain during intercourse

·        Pain during bowel movements or pressure on your bowels

·        Nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness

·        Abdominal fullness or heaviness

·        Rectal or bladder pressure

·        Difficulty emptying bladder completely

A medical professional will be able to determine if the cause of any of the above symptoms are from ovarian cysts or other medical issue. 

There are serious symptoms of ovarian cysts and medical attention should be sought. These symptoms include the following: 

·        Sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic pain

·        Pain accompanied by fever or vomiting

CAUSES OF OVARIAN CYSTS

Normally ovaries grow cyst-like structures called follicles each month. The follicles produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone and release an egg when you ovulate. When this follicle continues to grow, it becomes known as a functional cyst. There are two types of functional cysts:

1. Follicular cyst-during the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, the brain's pituitary gland releases a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which tells the follicle holding the egg to release it. When everything functions normally, the egg breaks out of its follicle and begins its journey down the fallopian tube .A follicular cyst begins when the LH surge doesn't occur. The result is a follicle that doesn't release its egg. Instead it grows and forms a cyst. Follicular cysts are usually harmless, rarely will cause pain, and often disappear on their own within two or three menstrual cycles.
2. Corpus luteum cyst-when LH does surge and the egg is released, the follicle begins producing large quantities of estrogen and progesterone in preparation for conception. This changed follicle is now called the corpus luteum. When the opening where the egg would be released seals off and fluid accumulates inside the follicle, this causes the corpus luteum to expand into a cyst.

TREATMENT OF OVARIAN CYSTS

For cysts that are not causing problems or symptoms, it is best to just monitor them as directed by a health care professional.

When ovarian cysts are causing problems a doctor may treat cysts with birth control pills to reduce the chance of new cysts developing in future menstrual cycles. 

A cyst may require surgery. Some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary in a procedure known as a cystectomy. If the affected ovary needs to be removed and the other ovary will remain intact, the procedure is known as oophorectomy. Reasons a doctor may recommend surgical removal of a cyst: 

·        A cyst is large

·        It doesn’t appear to be a functional cyst

·        The cyst is growing or persists through two or three menstrual cycles

·        Cysts that cause pain or other symptoms

·        Cancerous

 Normally a cyst is nothing to be alarmed about, but it is wise to be checked by a health care professional.