Ovarian cysts are one of the most common growths that occur on or in your ovaries. There are several types, however, and most are harmless and never cause symptoms. Generally, they resolve without any treatment. Only rarely will a cyst cause problems that will have you seeking your provider’s attention. Regular pelvic exams can make a difference in minimizing any chance that you could have one of these cysts.

What is an ovarian cyst?

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled or semisolid sac that appears either on or within one or both of your ovaries. Your ovaries are little organs within the pelvis, which carry egg cells and produce various hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone.

Ovarian cysts come in many varieties, and the vast majority of them are not painful or malignant. Most ovarian cysts don’t cause symptoms. If you have one, you probably won’t know it unless your healthcare provider discovers it on a routine pelvic exam or as part of an imaging test.

Sometimes, ovarian cysts cause complications. By making sure to get regular pelvic exams and talking about any discomfort or symptoms you are feeling, any issues from a cyst can be avoided.

What are the types of ovarian cysts?

Most ovarian cysts are functional cysts. They form because of changes in your body as you go through your menstrual cycle. Other times, for unexplained reasons, ovarian cysts occur.

Functional Cysts

Functional cysts are the most common kind of ovarian cyst and are non-disease-producing. They occur following ovulation or the bursting of an egg from the ovary. Functional cysts may be indicative that your ovaries are working within a normal range. Generally, functional cysts resolve on their own within 60 days without requiring a specific treatment.

Follicular cysts

In your ovary, there is a small sac called a follicle, which at the time of a menstrual cycle releases an egg. It will be a follicular cyst if the follicle fails to release an egg. It fills with fluid, grows bigger, and becomes cystic.

Corpus luteum cysts

Following the release of an egg from the follicle, a group of hormone-producing cells called the corpus luteum develops. Fluid accumulation within the corpus luteum causes its enlargement and the formation of a cyst.

Other cysts

Not all ovarian cysts are formed during your menstrual cycle. They’re not all disease-provoking; nevertheless, your provider would want to monitor them to prevent complications. They include:

Cystadenomas

These cysts occur at the outer layer of your ovary. They can be filled with fluid that is either thin and watery or thicker and mucous-like.

Dermoid cysts

The cells of a dermoid cyst contain all the tissues of the human body, including skin and hair, teeth, and brain tissue.

Endometriomas

These cysts are filled with endometrial tissue.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer cysts, or tumors, are solid masses of cancer cells. In contrast, the conditions described above are fluid-containing cysts.

Who is affected by ovarian cysts?

Any woman with ovaries may develop an ovarian cyst. The more of the following factors, the greater your chances are:

 

• Age: Ovarian cysts occur more frequently if you haven’t reached menopause.
• Pregnancy: Cysts are more likely to form and persist during pregnancy.
• History of ovarian cysts: Having a history of ovarian cysts puts you at higher risk for another one.
• What medical conditions you have: If you have a medical history of endometriosis, hormone problems, or are on medications that help your body to induce ovulation, such as clomiphene (Clomid©), then you’re more likely to develop an ovarian cyst.

How prevalent are ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are extremely common. Especially if you haven’t yet reached menopause, you are likely to have had or developed an ovarian cyst at some point in your life. The most prevalent kind of ovarian cyst is a functional cyst.

Are ovarian cysts serious?

Mainly, no. Most ovarian cysts are benign and will often resolve on their own, assuming they are not one of those more likely to be problematic. Some types of cysts are more apt to become cancerous or problematic, but this is rare. And your provider can monitor any concerning cysts to minimize your risk.

Symptoms and Causes of Ovarian Cyst

What is the cause of an ovarian cyst?

The most common cause of ovarian cysts is related to ovulation. Other causes of ovarian cysts are:

Abnormal cell growth : This is when the ovarian cells multiply abnormally which leads to the formation of cysts like dermoids and cystadenomas.

Endometriosis : Most often, these cysts arise on the ovary during advanced stages of endometriosis.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) : Serious pelvic infections may spread to your ovaries leading to cysts.

What are the signs and symptoms of an ovarian cyst?

Small cysts may be symptomless. You might not ever know you have a cyst. Larger cysts can cause:

• Pelvic pain or achy feeling in your back.
• A feeling of fullness (bloating) in your lower abdomen that feels worse on one side of your body than on the other.
• Sex is painful (dyspareunia).
• Painful cramping during menses.

Symptoms that persist can be related to a condition known medically as PCOS, describing polycystic ovary syndrome. This is a medical condition that impacts the hormonal levels and causes disturbances in the regular menstrual cycle of an individual, overweight, and may also lead to infertility issues. Other symptoms related to polycystic ovary syndrome include hirsutism, such as the growth of excess body hair, and difficulty losing weight.

How would you feel if you had an ovarian cyst?

The experience of an ovarian cyst is different from one person to another. Some may not have a feeling at all, while others may have the following:

• No pain.
• Mild discomfort or fullness feeling.
• Sharp pains or it can be a dull ache.
• Uncertain pain that appears and then disappears without any reason.

Can one gain weight with an ovarian cyst?

Yes. Cysts can be very bloating and can give the impression of a gain in weight. Some cysts even create hormones that may make you gain weight.

What are the complications of an ovarian cyst?

Cancerous cyst

Ovarian cysts develop in women after the onset of menopause. These are more likely to become malignant than those that develop in women who have not yet reached menopause.

Ruptured ovarian cyst

Functional cysts are likely to rupture without producing any adverse symptoms. However, sometimes the rupture of a ruptured cyst can cause severe pain and swelling in your abdomen. The more massive it is, the higher the chances of its breakage.

Ovarian torsion

Large cysts can distort your shape as regards the shape of your ovary and significantly enhance the chance of twisting. Your blood supply to your ovary may be cut off by the torsion, which causes that ovary to die. These symptoms of ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion include extreme pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Immediately visit a doctor if you have any symptoms of a ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion.

Management and Treatment of Ovarian Cyst

Observation or watchful waiting

Most functional ovarian cysts go away on their own without treatment. Your healthcare provider may choose to merely observe if they suspect that your cyst is probably functional. This really means waiting and seeing if the cyst will resolve on its own. You most likely will be told to return for another ultrasound several weeks or months following your diagnosis to see whether your cyst has resolved on its own.

Ovarian cyst medications

Your provider may prescribe medications containing hormones—for example, birth control pills—to stop ovulation and prevent future cysts from forming.

Ovarian cyst surgery

If a cyst is causing symptoms and growing, you may need to undergo surgery to have it removed. Thus, the surgery would depend on the size of the cyst and appearance of the cyst on ultrasound. Various techniques are in use in this field, and a few of them are mentioned as follows:

 

• Laparoscopy: This is a surgery in which your provider will make small holes on the abdomen and insert a camera through one of the holes. Using that device, they can see inside your reproductive organs and pelvic cavity. The cyst can be removed through tiny cuts (ovarian cystectomy).
• Laparotomy: In case the cyst is large, the provider can opt for this procedure.

If your fertility specialist believes you may have cancer, they will consult with a gynecological oncologist about your treatment.

Prevention of Ovarian Cyst

Can ovarian cysts be prevented?

Taking medications with hormones (such as birth control pills) will cause ovulation. Some studies indicate the pill reduces the recurrences of some types of cysts.

Most ovarian cysts are innocuous enough that you do not have to worry about prevention. However, be very vigilant when experiencing symptoms that could be indicative of having a cyst and report any of them to your provider. You should see your doctor regularly for pelvic exams to get any cysts appropriately treated.