An ovarian cyst usually has no symptoms or complaints and is often discovered incidentally. Women who do have complaints due to an ovarian cyst often complain of a heavy feeling in the abdomen, abdominal pain or irregular menstruation. The pain you experience is constant or intermittent and ranges from mild to severe. Sometimes you no longer get your period and occasionally the ovary can rotate, causing severe pain. Treatment of an ovarian cyst can consist of a wait-and-see policy, medication and surgery (to remove an ovarian cyst). In most cases, the outlook for women with an ovarian cyst is excellent; a cyst often disappears spontaneously in women of childbearing age.
- Ovarian cyst in bird’s eye view
- What is an ovarian cyst?
- Ovarian cyst symptoms
- Types of ovarian cysts
- Functional cysts of the ovary
- Dermoid cysts
- Cystadenomas
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Complications
- Twisted ovarian cyst
- Ruptured ovarian cyst
- Bleeding
- Examination and diagnosis
- Gynecological examination
- Visual art investigation
- Additional research
- Treatment: ovarian cyst removal
- Forecast and long-term prospects
- Prevention: preventing a cyst
Ovarian cyst in bird’s eye view
- Definition: Fluid-filled growth in the ovaries, can be either benign or malignant and vary in size.
- Prevention: Such cysts can occur in women of any age. From young to old.
- Causes: Hormonal imbalances, ovulation problems or abnormal cell growth.
- Symptoms: Possible symptoms include lower abdominal pain, menstrual problems, bloating and pain during sex.
- Functional vs. Pathological: Cysts can be functional (follicular cysts) and resolve on their own, or pathological (dermoid cysts) and require surgical removal.
- Diagnosis: Ultrasound or other imaging techniques.
- Complications: Severe cases can lead to torsion (twisting) of the ovary, causing severe pain and tissue damage.
- Monitoring: Small cysts are often monitored closely to see if they go away on their own.
- Treatment: Surgical removal is indicated if the cyst is large, causes complaints or carries an increased risk of complications.
- Prevention: Hormonal regulation can help reduce risk.
What is an ovarian cyst?
An ovarian cyst or ovarian cyst is a cavity in one of the ovaries that contains fluid. Ovarian cysts are relatively common and they are usually benign (i.e. not cancerous). Ovarian cancer mainly occurs in women over the age of forty. The cysts are mainly seen in women between the ages of 30 and 45. Ovarian cysts range in size from smaller than a bean to the size of a large cantaloupe. Ovarian cysts usually do not cause any complaints and are often discovered incidentally during ultrasound examination. Ovarian cysts are usually caused by fluctuations in hormone balance.
Abdominal pain with an ovarian cyst / Source: Andrey Popov/Shutterstock.com
Ovarian cyst symptoms
An ovarian cyst usually has no symptoms or complaints. Complaints that may occur are:
- (vague) abdominal pain or a heavy feeling in the abdomen
- a feeling of bloating, swelling in the abdomen
- irregular menstruation, sometimes accompanied by a lot of blood loss (abnormal vaginal bleeding)
- no longer have periods
- pain during sexual intercourse
- Some large cysts can put pressure on the bladder and therefore cause frequent urination.
- pelvic pain before or after the menstrual cycle
- intestinal problems: pain when defecating, pressure on the intestines or the feeling of having to poo all the time feeling of fullness even after eating a small amount of food
- a loss of appetite
- an unexplained weight gain
- ovarian pain or ovarian pain (sharp or dull)
- hormonal changes: breast tenderness, changes in breast and body hair growth
- nausea and vomiting
- difficulties in becoming pregnant
- pain in the low back (lower back pain) or thighs/thigh
- pain during sexual intercourse
- pain during the menstrual cycle
- urinary problems: frequent urination, inability to empty the bladder completely (urinary retention).
The pain and complaints you experience are constant or occur intermittently and vary from mild to severe. In case of severe, stabbing or sharp pelvic pain, bleeding, fever, fainting, dizziness and rapid breathing (tachypnea), it is important to consult a doctor immediately because these complaints indicate a ruptured or twisted cyst.
Types of ovarian cysts
There are several types of ovarian cysts. The most important are:
Functional cysts of the ovary
These are the most common type. These are not dangerous and usually disappear spontaneously. They occur when there is a functional error in ovulation or ovulation. There are several types of functional cysts.
Dermoid cysts
These cysts are often seen in younger women and can grow up to 15 cm in diameter. These cysts develop from cells that produce eggs in the ovary.
Cystadenomas
These cysts develop from cells that cover the outside of the ovary and are firmly attached to an ovary by a stalk. These cysts almost never grow inside the ovary. They can grow very large.
Endometriosis
Some women with endometriosis develop one or more cysts on their ovaries.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in which you develop many small benign cysts in your ovaries.
Complications
the following complications can occur with an ovarian cyst.
Twisted ovarian cyst
Torsion of the ovary is a possible complication of an ovarian cyst. All ovarian cysts have the potential to rotate on their axis, restricting blood flow. Larger cysts (over 6 cm) are more likely to twist. Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency because the ovary must be rotated immediately to preserve the ovarian tissue. Reduced blood supply to the ovaries can be determined by Doppler ultrasound.
Ruptured ovarian cyst
Rupture of an ovarian cyst indicates the rupture of a cyst. All types of ovarian cysts can potentially rupture, releasing fluid into the pelvis, which is often painful. If the contents are from a dermoid cyst or abscess, surgical irrigation may be necessary.
Bleeding
Bleeding in an ovarian cyst is uncommon. Such bleeding is called hemorrhagic follicle cyst.
Examination and diagnosis
Gynecological examination
The doctor may discover an ovarian cyst during a standard pelvic exam. Swelling may be noticed on one of your ovaries and ultrasound can confirm the presence of a cyst. Ultrasound helps determine the size, location, shape, and composition (solid or liquid contents) of a cyst.
MRI scan / Source: Istock.com/© james steidl
Visual art investigation
Imaging studies for the diagnosis of an ovarian cyst may include:
- CT scan, which is used to make cross-sections of internal organs.
- MRI scan, a test that uses magnetic fields to produce in-depth images of internal organs.
- Ultrasound, which is used to visualize the ovaries.
Because the majority of cysts disappear after a few weeks or months, the doctor may not immediately recommend a treatment plan. Instead, ultrasound can be performed again after a few weeks or months for control.
Additional research
If there are no changes in your condition or if the cyst increases in size, the doctor will order additional tests to determine other causes of your symptoms. These consist of:
- pregnancy test to check if you are not pregnant.
- hormone level test to check for hormone-related problems, such as too much estrogen or progesterone.
- CA-125 blood test (blood test) to screen for ovarian cancer.
Examination and treatment by a gynecologist / Source: Doro Guzenda/Shutterstock.com
Treatment: ovarian cyst removal
The gynecologist may recommend surgery to resolve complaints or prevent complications in the future. The cyst can be removed alone, but sometimes it is also necessary to remove the ovary. Sometimes this can only be assessed during the operation. A woman can become pregnant with one ovary and with one ovary you will not enter menopause prematurely. If both ovaries are removed, pregnancy is no longer possible and you will also enter menopause (if you were not already). A cyst can often be removed laparoscopically, where only a few small incisions are made in the abdomen. The doctor then inserts a laparoscope (viewing tube), where instruments are inserted with which the cyst can be removed.
Forecast and long-term prospects
The outlook for fertile women with ovarian cysts is good. Most cysts disappear within a few months. However, recurrent cysts can occur in non-menopausal women and women with hormonal imbalances. Some cysts can reduce fertility. However, ovarian cysts do not increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Some doctors will remove a cyst if it is larger than 5 centimeters in diameter.
Prevention: preventing a cyst
Ovarian cysts cannot be prevented. However, it is wise to have regular gynecological examinations so that the doctor can notice any changes in a timely manner. It is also important to visit a doctor if you experience changes in the menstrual cycle or symptoms that may indicate ovarian cysts. Using birth control pills can reduce the risk of future ovarian cysts.
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