Ovarian cysts: symptoms, causes and treatments

A good part of women suffer from ovarian cysts at some point in their lives. In fact, some studies claim that it is possible to develop one at any time. It is a fairly common gynecological condition that, in general, is not excessively serious. They are fluid-filled sacs that develop in one or both ovaries. Most of the time they are benign and go away on their own. At other times some type of intervention is required.

We are sure that many of our readers know what we are talking about. They may have experienced it firsthand. It may also be that in your closest environment, a friend, sister, mother or other family member has gone through it. This risk arises from the beginning of menstruation until menopause.

All of this undoubtedly encourages us to insist on the importance of gynecological check-ups. We must keep in mind that a large part of these conditions are usually asymptomatic and if at any time they show any manifestation, it is common to associate it with other disorders: menstrual pain, back pain, abdominal distension, stress…

Let’s see more data below.

What are ovarian cysts? Why do they appear?

As we noted at the beginning, on average ovarian cysts are a mild medical condition. Nevertheless, When a woman receives the diagnosis, it is common (and understandable) for her to experience anguish and confusion.. The first thing we must do is trust the doctors and the treatment they prescribe. These pockets of fluid almost always respond to what are known as simple functional cysts.

What does this mean? Basically that They are different from tumor cysts, and they arise in response to certain hormonal conditions. It is something treatable, something that can disappear on its own and that undoubtedly has a good prognosis. Let’s see next what types of ovarian cysts exist.

follicular cyst

The follicular cyst is the most common, it appears mainly in young women and usually disappears within a few weeks.. As indicated by the Mayo Clinic, they are a type of fluid-filled bag that usually forms at the top of the ovary.

To understand why it develops we must remember how the menstrual cycle occurs. The hormones stimulate the growth of an ovarian follicle, which contains the egg. As the days go by, This follicle will eventually rupture to release the egg.

Good, In the middle of this process called ovulation, the following can happen: the follicle does not rupture. Therefore, if the follicle fails to open to release an egg, that fluid accumulates day after day until it generates a cyst.

Corpus luteum cyst

Corpus luteum cyst may arise in case the follicle seals after the egg is released. Let us remember that the corpus luteum is a glandular, cyclical and temporary structure that develops within the ovary after ovulation. Now, sometimes and due to certain abnormal changes in the ovarian follicle, it happens that the exit opening of the egg becomes sealed. Little by little fluid accumulates inside and develops the corpus luteum cyst.In this case, it is common to experience certain discomforts, such as pressure, punctures, pelvic and abdominal pain… There are patients who can suffer bleeding outside of their own menstruation and even cause what is known as ovarian torsion (change in the position of the ovary itself with an occlusion of the ovarian artery).

It should also be noted that there are other types of ovarian cysts, such as endometrioma. (associated with endometriosis), as well as dermoid cyst (germ cell neoplasms that contain pieces of bone, hair, skin, fat…) and cystadenoma, a larger cyst that requires surgical intervention.

What symptoms do ovarian cysts present?

Let us remember once again that ovarian cysts can arise from the first menstruations in still very young girls, even in women who have already reached menopause. The ovaries are subject to constant hormonal changes. Thus, even if a woman no longer menstruates, spontaneous changes still occur in her body that require adequate monitoring.

Therefore, whatever our age, It is necessary that we establish periodic check-ups with our gynecologists and that, in addition, we keep in mind these symptoms that are described in the North American encyclopedia of medicine:

Pain and/or heaviness in the pelvic and abdominal area.Abdominal distension, gas, constant feeling of fullness or pressure.Constant urge to urinate. Pain during sexual relations. Nausea. Occasionally, bleeding may appear outside the menstruation period.

On the other hand, We must remember once again that ovarian cysts generally occur asymptomatically.. In the event that an ovarian torsion or other gynecological emergency forms, the patient will experience sudden, intense pain that will require urgent medical attention.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

It is also important to talk about polycystic ovary syndrome. This disease, as described in the United States National Library of Medicine, responds to a hormonal disorder where multiple simultaneous ovarian cysts usually develop. It affects 7% of women and causes irregular menstruation, presence of abundant body hair, difficulties getting pregnant, to name a few.

The causes of this condition are unknown, but there are adequate treatments that can improve the quality of life of patients.

What treatments exist for ovarian cysts?

When one or more ovarian cysts are discovered on an ultrasound, specialists will evaluate several things. The first is the size of the cyst itself. The second is the age of the woman. In general, those that measure less than 5 centimeters will only require monitoring to observe their evolution. If, far from disappearing, the cyst continues to grow, it is removed by surgery.

It should be noted that on average, only 1% of ovarian cysts are cancerous. In addition, It should be noted that older women who have already reached menopause tend to develop more resistant cysts.. That is, they do not usually disappear on their own. Hence, doctors consider other options such as surgical intervention.

To conclude, just point out that One way to prevent ovarian cysts is by taking oral contraceptives. Now, if we have a family history of this type of gynecological condition, we should never hesitate to consult with doctors to establish adequate follow-up. Prevention is always important.

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