Ovarian cysts: matter of serious concern or not

 What is an ovarian cyst?

Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs that form on or in the ovaries. Ovaries are the female reproductive glands that produce ova (singular_ovum or egg cell). They are present in pair. Each female has two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus.  

Ovaries produce follicles during the menstrual cycle. The production of follicles, their growth and the maturation of single ovum are all events regulated by the secretion of the female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Under the influence of these hormones, the release of ovum occurs which is termed as ovulation. It takes place on the 14th day of the cycle, if the period cycle is of regular nature,i.e 28 days.   

Normal menstrual cycle may be anywhere from 21-40 days. The number of days vary from woman to woman. 

Ovarian cysts are usually harmless and there's no need to worry about unless you experience any symptom. Many women have ovarian cysts during their reproductive age due to the  hormonal imbalance. Most of the women with ovarian cysts do not have any symptoms at all. They won't even come to know that they have one unless they get their scan done.

What are the types of Ovarian cysts? 

Ovarian cysts are mainly functional cysts that develop in response to the imbalance in the female hormones. 

They are:

1. Follicular cysts that develop from follicles. Each month during menstrual cycle many follicles are formed and out of them one follicle reaches the stage of maturation and releases the egg or ovum. When the ovum is not released somehow, the inner space of the follicle gets filled with fluid and it appears as tiny fluid-containing sacs on the ovary. 
2. Corpus luteum cysts that develop from the corpus luteum. 

Functional cysts are usually not troublesome or harmful. 

Other types of ovarian cysts are:

• Benign or non cancerous 
• Cancerous or Malignant 

Most ovarian cysts are benign or noncancerous and they do not trouble you.

They can be:

• Dermoid cysts or teratoma: This contain sacs filled with fluid and dermoid cells that play a role in the formation of hair, skin, etc. 
• Endometriomas: Such ovarian cysts have a part of endometrial material or cells of endometrium. Endometrium is the innermost lining of the uterus which gets thickened for ovum implantation and sheds off in case the ovum is not fertilised.  
• Cystadenomas: Cysts that are usually formed on the surface of the ovaries and are filled with thin fluid and mucus are cystadenomas. 
• Ovarian cancer cysts: These are actually not cysts as they are solid growths or masses containing cancer cells formed on the ovary and are cancerous in nature and they may cause serious complications if not treated. 

What are the symptoms of Ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts can produce 

• no symptoms
• mild symptoms that are generally tolerable 
• severe symptoms

Mild symptoms often go unrecognized as you may feel it as a period pain or menstrual discomfort. 

Rarely, the ovarian cysts produce severe symptoms. 

Following are the symptoms of ovarian cysts:

• Mild or dull ache in the pelvis, more confined to one particular side
• Mild or dull backache at one side
• Irregular and or painful periods
• Pain during intercourse
• Feeling bloated often/Feeling of fullness in your stomach

How do you feel if you have ovarian cysts? 

The presentation of signs and symptoms may vary from woman to woman. 

• You may have no symptoms at all.
• You may feel that you have bloating during the menstrual cycle.
• You may feel some pelvic pain that comes and go unexplained. 
• You may find it painful when having intercourse. 
• You may complain of having irregular and painful periods. 

In a condition called PCOS(poly cystic ovarian syndrome), there are multiple ovarian cysts. The condition is characterised by symptoms such as irregular periods, hirsutism or body hair growth that's excessive, weight gain, skin problems such as acne formation on the face and infertility.  

How long does an ovarian cyst last?

Most ovarian cysts that are of functional types last for few months like 1-3 months only. They dissolve with time. Some other types may continue to remain present for long time.  Cancer cysts may grow bigger with time and may produce severe symptoms and serious complications and thus need to be removed surgically. 

Ovarian cysts may or may not last for years. Even if they last they are not a concern unless you they grow large enough to produce symptoms that trouble you.

What are the causes of ovarian cysts?

There is not any exact cause known for the occurrence or formation of ovarian cysts. Some factors may be responsible such as:

• Age: The cysts are usually seen in the reproductive or child bearing years. Menopausal women do not have ovarian cysts.
• Pregnancy: It is seen that during pregnancy also, the ovaries have cysts on them. 
• Previous history of ovarian cysts: If you had ovarian cysts in the past, you are more likely to have it in the future. 
• Side-effects of some drugs such as clomiphene which is used in the treatment of female infertility to cause ovulation, can also cause the development of functional cysts on the ovaries. 
• History of PCOS: If you have polycystic ovarian syndrome, your ovaries would have multiple cysts. 

How is an ovarian cyst diagnosed? 

Ovarian cysts that are not producing symptoms often remain undiagnosed. The ones producing symptoms can be diagnosed by ultrasound examination. Transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound can be performed and these cysts can be seen.  

if your doctor suspects ovarian cancer, you may need a MRI scan or CT scan to get a clear picture of diagnosis. Sometimes the tissue biopsy of ovary can help rule out the presence of nay malignant condition. 

How to know whether you have a cancerous ovarian cyst?

Your doctor may examine your symptoms and do an ultrasound scan. If he suspects cancer like condition, he may order a cancer tumor marker test called CA125 to detect any cancer cyst. 

How is ovarian cyst treated? 

Most ovarian cysts do not require any symptoms as they dissolve or disappear on their own or do not produce any symptoms at all. 

The ovarian cysts can be treated medically by birth control pills that help prevent ovulation and this can reduce the formation of follicles on the ovaries. 

Other symptoms may be treated as per need of the patient. 

If the cysts are large and produce severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend going for a laparoscopic removal of cysts(laparoscopic cystectomy). 

If you have ovarian cancer you may need surgical removal of ovary, oopherectomy. 

How can we prevent ovarian cysts? 

There is no prevention for ovarian cysts as such. Lifestyle modifications and maintaining regular periods can help you get control over it. Controlling your body weight and eating healthy as well as balanced diet, living stress-free, etc, can be some beneficial changes that help prevent ovarian cyst formation. 

This post is for educational and informational purpose only. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.Seek your doctor's help in any case.