Ovarian Cysts

Fluid-filled sacs that appear on the surface of an ovary are called ovarian cysts. Normally, a woman has two ovaries that are located on each side of the uterus. The average size and shape of an ovary are very similar to an almond. The eggs that are produced and released during childbearing years are also produced in the ovaries.

While ovarian cysts are common, they usually do not cause any symptoms or discomfort. Moreover, most of them disappear without treatment within several months. Sometimes, cysts can burst (rupture) or become twisted, which often leads to serious symptoms. That’s why, if you have ovarian cysts, doctors recommend regular pelvic examinations.

Symptoms

In most cases, people do not experience any symptoms, but when they do occur may include the following ones. For example:

Bloating
Pressure, heaviness, or fullness in the abdomen (belly)
Pelvic pain

Immediately contact your healthcare professional if any of the following symptoms occur. Examples include:

Severe abdominal or pelvic pain that appears suddenly
Pain that occurs along with fever or vomiting
Shock symptoms include cold, clammy skin, fast breathing, lightheadedness, or weakness

Causes

In most cases, ovarian cysts develop due to the menstrual cycle (also called functional cysts). Furthermore, a woman may develop other types of cysts, but it is less common.

Functional Cysts

Normally, ovaries grow small cysts (follicles) every month. These follicles make hormones Estrogen and Progesterone and then break to release the egg during ovulation. When the cyst continues to grow, it is called a functional cyst. Check below some types of functional cysts:

Follicular cyst – Normally, the egg bursts out of its follicle in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, the egg goes down a fallopian tube. When the follicle continues to grow, it forms a follicular cyst.
Corpus luteum cyst – After the egg is released, the follicle shrinks and starts to produce Estrogen and Progesterone. These hormones are vital for conception. In such cases, the follicle is called the corpus luteum, and when the opening through which the egg is released becomes blocked, it causes this type of cyst.

Commonly, previous ovarian cysts are not harmful and cause symptoms quite rarely.

Other Cysts

The following cysts develop less commonly, and they are not related to menstrual cycles. For example:

Dermoid cyst – This type is also known as a teratoma, and it develops from the reproductive cells that produce eggs in the ovary (also known as germ cells). Sometimes, dermoid cysts can contain certain tissue, such as hair, skin, or teeth, and it is rarely cancerous.
Cystadenoma – In such cases, the cyst appears due to certain cells that are on the surface of an ovary. Cystadenoma may be filled with a watery or mucous substance. Furthermore, this type of ovarian cyst may grow very large.
Endometrioma – This type of ovarian cyst occurs due to a condition called endometriosis. In this condition, the cells similar to those inside the uterus grow outside the uterus. Sometimes, these cells may attach to an ovary and form a cyst called an endometrioma.

People with cystadenoma and dermoid cysts are more prone to develop a painful twisting of the ovary (also called ovarian torsion) because they can grow very large. Ovarian torsion can reduce or stop blood flow to the affected ovary.

Risk Factors

The following factors could increase the risk of developing ovarian cysts. Examples include:

Hormonal imbalances – For example, medicines that cause you to ovulate, such as Clomiphene, Letrozole, and others.
Pregnancy – Some women may develop ovarian cysts during pregnancy. Some follicles that stay on the ovary throughout the pregnancy may grow quite large.
Endometriosis – Certain tissue may attach to an ovary, causing a cyst.
Severe pelvic infection – When an infection reaches the ovaries, it may cause cysts.
Medical history of ovarian cysts – People who have had ovarian cysts are more likely to develop them again.

What Are The Potential Complications of Ovarian Cysts?

While complications happen rarely, you may experience the following ones, especially if a cyst grows large. For example:

Ovarian torsion – This complication occurs when a cyst becomes too large, causing an ovary to twist. When it happens, you may experience severe pelvic pain, nausea, and vomiting. Moreover, this painful twisting of the ovary may reduce or block blood flow to the ovary.
Cyst rupture – When this complication happens, a cyst bursts (ruptures) and causes severe pain and bleeding in the pelvic area. The risk of a cyst rupture increases according to how large it grows. The risk of a cyst rupture also significantly elevates with vigorous activity (such as vaginal sex).

How to Prevent Ovarian Cysts?

Unfortunately, most ovarian cysts are not preventable. That’s why doctors recommend regular pelvic examinations to make sure the cysts do not become larger. However, if you notice changes that concern you, immediately contact your doctor.

Diagnosis

Commonly, ovarian cysts are identified during a pelvic examination or imaging test (such as pelvic ultrasound). To make the best treatment plan, you may need additional tests to determine whether it is filled with fluid or solid. Check below some possible tests:

Pregnancy test – It is normal to detect corpus luteum cysts in an early pregnancy.
Pelvic ultrasound – This test involves a transducer that sends and receives high-frequency sound waves to make a picture of the uterus and ovaries. It helps identify the exact location of a cyst.
Laparoscopy – This test involves a lighted tool (also called a laparoscope) that is inserted into the abdomen (belly) through an incision to examine the ovaries. When cysts are detected, treatment is also performed through this small cut.
Tumor marker tests – Sometimes, a cancer antigen (a protein) is increased in people with ovarian cancer. People who develop solid cysts are at higher risk of ovarian cancer. Sometimes, CA (cancer antigen) 125 levels can increase due to certain noncancerous health conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and others.

Regular pelvic examinations are recommended by doctors for all women, especially those who are after menopause. In some cases, postmenopausal women have solid ovarian cysts that significantly increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

Treatment

The treatment is often different among people with ovarian cysts. It depends on the severity, type, and size of the cysts, your age, existing health problems, and other factors. Check below the most common treatments recommended for women with ovarian cysts:

Watchful waiting – When the cysts are small and do not cause symptoms, people usually do not need treatment. However, doctors may recommend regular pelvic examinations.
Medications – Physicians usually prescribe hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills) that help from getting more cysts. Unfortunately, these medicines cannot shrink an existing ovarian cyst.
Surgery – This treatment is often recommended by doctors when an ovarian cyst grows large and does not look like a functional cyst. While some cysts can be removed without the ovary (cystectomy), sometimes, the cysts are removed with the affected ovary (oophorectomy). Some people may choose minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy) to remove the cysts. It is often performed through a small incision in the abdominal area.

Additionally, some cysts that develop after menopause might be cancerous. In such cases, you may be referred to a gynecologic cancer specialist. The most common treatments for people with cancerous ovarian cysts include surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best treatment for ovarian cysts?

The primary treatment for people with ovarian cysts is surgery to remove the cyst. However, when the ovarian cysts are small and do not cause symptoms, treatment usually is not required.

What should you not do when you have an ovarian cyst?

It is advised to avoid certain activities and substances to reduce the risk of complications, especially if ovarian cysts are large and cause pain. These include:

Avoid alcohol and caffeine
You should not engage in strenuous activities (such as heavy training)
Limit or avoid red meats, fried foods, and foods high in saturated fats, refined sugar, and simple carbohydrates

For more details, discuss it with your doctor.

What is the most common complication of an ovarian cyst?

These include:

Rupture – When it occurs, you may experience sudden and severe pain and internal bleeding.
Ovarian torsion – This complication occurs when a large ovarian cyst causes an ovary to twist. This is a dangerous complication because it may reduce or block blood flow to the affected ovary.
Infection – Without treatment, ovarian cysts may lead to a life-threatening infection called sepsis.
Endometriosis – In some cases, people with ovarian cysts may develop this condition.
Malignancy – Some ovarian cysts that appear in postmenopausal women can be cancerous (malignant).

This article does not contain all possible complications of ovarian cysts. Ask your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.