Ovarian Cysts and Its Treatment
Just like other vital organs, the ovaries are also an essential part of the female reproductive system. They are found in the lower abdomen area and on both sides of the uterus. These two ovaries are responsible for producing eggs and estrogen and progesterone hormones. Any malfunction in these ovaries can take a big toll on women’s health and other body functions.
Oftentimes, a fluid-filled sac is formed in one or both of the ovaries. This sac is called a cyst and most women develop them at least once in their lifetime. However, these cysts are painless and exhibit no symptoms. In 1 out of 4 cases, a cyst may get aggravated and cause discomfort. In extreme cases, such cysts get removed through surgical procedures.
Most women are unaware of cysts and often suffer a great deal because of it. Therefore, it is crucial that women educate themselves about their body functions and how they can keep them operating normal.
Let’s see what are ovarian cysts and how they affect a woman’s life.
Ovarian Cysts Types
There are multiple types of ovarian cysts that can affect women. However, functional cysts are the most common type and appears in 90% of the cases. Functional cyst is further divided into two types, including:
Follicle Cyst
The women eggs are grown inside a sac every month, called follicle. This follicle sac is found inside the ovaries, and it is supposed to break open and release an egg. Oftentimes, this sac does not open and the egg remains inside along with the fluid. It turns into a cyst and form an ovarian cyst. This is how an ovarian cyst is formed.
Corpus Luteum Cyst
The follicle sac has to get dissolved after releasing the egg. However, when it does not dissolve and its opening gets sealed, it can trap fluid inside. This accumulation of excess fluid in the sac can turn into a corpus luteum cyst.
Other types of ovarian cysts include:
Dermoid Cyst
These are sort of sac-like growths in the ovaries. They include hair, fat, and other tissues inside that makes them often painful and the patient may feel severe discomfort because of it.
Cystadenomas
These are non-cancerous growth that can form on the outer surface of the ovaries for many reasons. They often develop due to the malfunctioning of body operations.
Endometriomas
Endometriomas are formed when the tissues that grow inside the uterus, starts to grow outside the uterus and latch on to the ovaries. This results into cysts that has to get surgically removed. The process can be quite invasive, depending on the size of the mass.
Ovarian Cysts Symptoms
Mostly, cysts do not exhibit any symptoms. Symptoms appear when the cyst starts to grow and affect the normal body functions. The symptoms may include:
Abdominal pain
·Abdominal swelling
Painful intercourse
Pain in thighs
Pain in lower back
Painful bowel passing
Nausea
Vomiting
Breast tenderness
Following are some severe symptoms of ovarian cysts that need immediate medical attention:
Sharp and irresistible pelvic pain
High fever
Dizziness or fainting
Rapid breathing
These severe symptoms transpire when there is a ruptured cyst or an ovarian torsion. They have severe health complications thus you should never ignore them and rush to the hospital without wasting any time.
Complications of Ovarian Cysts
Mostly, ovarian cysts are benign and do not require treatment. These cysts do not exhibit any symptoms and resolve on their own. However, your doctor can detect them during a routine checkup. Some of these cysts may also be cancerous which has to be removed before they begin any further deterioration.
Following are the complications of ovarian cysts:
Ovarian Torsion
Ovarian torsion is a rare complication of ovarian cysts. It occurs when an overly grown cyst causes an ovary to twist or move from its original position. It hinders the blood supply to the affected ovaries, causing damage or even death of the ovarian tissue. It is quite rare and occurs in 3% of the emergency gynecology cases.
Ruptured Cyst
Ruptured cyst is another rare complication of ovarian cyst, resulting in intense pain and0020internal bleeding. It heightens the risk for infections and can be life threatening.
Treatment of Ovarian Cyst
Doctors give the options of shrinking or removing a cyst that does not subside with oral medications. Following are the treatment options for ovarian cysts:
Birth Control Pills
This treatment option is given when you have recurring cysts. Your doctor will prescribe oral contraceptives to stop ovulation and hinder the formation of new cysts. These contraceptives can help reduce the chances of developing ovarian cancer. Moreover, the risk of ovarian cancer is higher in postmenopausal women.
Laparoscopy
If you have a small cyst that may have resulted from an imaging test to rule out cancer, your doctor can perform a laparoscopy to surgically remove it from your ovaries. This procedure is not much invasive as the doctor will make a small incision near your navel and insert a small instrument in your abdomen to remove the cyst.
Laparotomy
In case of large cysts, laparotomy is performed. Your doctor will make a large incision in your abdomen to surgically remove your cyst. The doctor will also do a biopsy in this procedure to check whether the cyst is cancerous. If they find any cancer cells, they will immediately perform a hysterectomy to completely remove your ovaries and uterus.
Prevention of Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are not the ones to get prevented. If you are a woman, you are likely to develop them at least once in your lifetime. Routine gynecology checkups can help to detect them in an early stage. Moreover, some symptoms also help to diagnose the presence of ovarian cysts. Their symptoms are often confusing as they are similar to ovarian cancer’ symptoms. Nevertheless, you must contact your doctor if you experience the following signs:
Sudden change in menstrual cycle
Chronic pelvic pain
Sudden and unexplained weight change
Loss of appetite
Abdominal bloating
It is always better to consult professionals for guidance. Book your appointment with the top Gynecologist doctor through Marham for more information.