Ovarian Cysts: All You Need To Know

What is an Ovarian Cyst?

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on the ovary. Ovaries are a part of female reproductive system. Your ovaries are small organs in your pelvis that hold egg cells and make hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone.

Ovarian cyst are quiet common and often harmless, but they can sometimes cause pain or other complications, especially if they rupture or become large. They usually form during ovulation, and while most cysts, especially the smaller ones, do not cause any pain or symptoms, the large ones are likely to cause pelvic pain, painful periods, constipation, and other symptoms.

Causes

Ovulation is the leading cause of ovarian cysts. Other causes include —

• Abnormal Cell Reproduction:

This can lead to formation of cysts like cystadenomas and dermoids.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease:

PID or pelvic inflammatory disease is a severe infection of the female reproductive system. This infection can spread to the ovaries and cause cysts.

• Endometriosis:

This is a condition in which tissue that grows inside the uterus grows outside of it. Advanced stages of endometriosis can lead to the formation of cysts in the ovary.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of an ovarian cyst are:

• Painful periods

• Pelvic pain

• Dull pain in the back

• Feeling full or bloated, even after eating a small portion

• Pain during intercourse

• Difficulty emptying the bowels

• Urinating often

• Irregular, heavy, or lighter periods

• Difficulty in getting pregnant

Diagnosis

Ovarian cysts are diagnosed in the following ways —

• Pregnancy test:

Ovarian cysts are common during pregnancy. Therefore, the first thing you must do is undergo a pregnancy test. After ruling out pregnancy, your healthcare practitioners will perform other tests to diagnose an ovarian cyst.

• Pelvic exam:

The doctor will examine the pelvic area and reproductive organs to look for tender areas and unusual growths.

• Ultrasound:

The doctor may also perform an ultrasound to detect cysts in your ovaries. This imaging test takes pictures of tissues and organs inside the body. Ultrasound can not only detect the location of a cyst but also tell if this unwanted growth or sac is filled with fluid or semi-solid material.

• Laparoscopy:

This is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon makes a cut in the abdomen and inserts a fibre optic camera in it to view the reproductive organs. If a cyst is found during examination, the surgeon removes it immediately.

Treatment

Ovarian cyst treatment will depend on certain factors, such as your age, causes, and symptoms of the condition. Common treatment options include the following —

1. Wait and watch:

If the cyst is functional, your doctor may ask you to wait and see if it goes away on its own. Most functional cysts don’t require any treatment. However, you must talk to your doctor and go for a follow-up ultrasound after a few weeks of diagnosis to know if the cyst has been cured or requires further treatment.

2. Medications:

Doctors often prescribe medications to stop ovulation and check the formation of ovarian cysts in the future.

3. Surgery:

If the cyst is growing in size and causing uncomfortable symptoms, the doctor will perform surgery to remove it. The surgical techniques that are used for removing ovarian cysts are —

• Laparoscopy: If the cyst is small, the surgeon will make an incision in the abdomen and insert a small fibre optic camera. The surgeon will then view your reproductive organs to find the cyst and remove it through small incisions.

• Laparotomy: If the ovarian cyst is large, the surgeon will perform a laparotomy or an open abdominal surgery to remove it.