Ovarian Cysts Types, Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Ovarian cysts are sacs or pockets filled with fluid or semi fluid material or other tissue that forms in and on the surface of the ovary. Ovaries are the part of the female reproductive system. Ovaries are two in numbers and they are located on either side of a woman’s uterus in the lower abdomen. Ovaries contain eggs that are released at the time of ovulation. Ovaries also produce hormones such as estrogen and progesterone and these hormones are necessary for a woman’s body functions. Most of the ovarian cysts are benign. Only a few cysts will convert into cancerous (malignant). Women with previous ovarian cyst, endometriosis, hormonal changes or imbalance and pelvic infections are at higher risk for developing ovarian cyst. Certain drugs such as tamoxifen or clomiphene also increase the risk of ovarian cysts. There are two main types of ovarian cysts: functional ovarian cysts and pathological cysts. It is a very common gynecological condition as it is very usual for a small cyst to develop on the ovary. Ovarian cysts are the most common cause of infant and fetal cancer or tumor. In most cases, cysts are painless and harmless and relieved on their own with time and without treatment. But in severe cases, they may cause problems and serious symptoms and need effective treatment.

Types And Causes

There are two main types of ovarian cysts

1. Functional ovarian cysts

2. Pathological cysts

Functional ovarian cysts

These cysts are the most common type of ovarian cysts. They can occur at any age but particularly in females during their reproductive years. They are linked to the menstrual cycle and their occurrence is very rare after menopause. They are benign in nature and do not cause any harm or symptoms. Most of the functional ovarian cysts are short lived and go away on their own without any treatment.

There are two types of functional cysts:

1. Follicle cysts

2. Corpus luteum cysts

Follicle cyst

Growth of egg occurs in a sac during a woman’s menstrual cycle. This sac is called follicle and it is located inside your ovaries. When the follicle opens, then it releases an egg. If it does not open, then cyst formation occurs in the ovary due to the fluid of follicle. This cyst is called follicle cyst.

Corpus luteum cysts

This follicle or sac usually diffuses after releasing the egg. Sometimes, the opening of this sac seals and it does not dissolve. This causes the formation of corpus luteum cysts. Corpus luteum is the mass of cells of ovaries that is responsible for the production of progesterone hormone. These cysts are rare after menopause due to the decreased production of eggs.

Pathological cysts

These cysts are caused by abnormal cell growth in the ovaries. They are not linked to the menstrual cycle. Their occurrence is the same before and after menopause. Most of the pathological cysts are non-cancerous but they can be cancerous (malignant) in rare cases. The malignant pathological cysts can grow very large in size and they can also block the supply of blood to ovaries.

There are two types of pathological cysts:

1. Dermoid cysts

2. Cystadenomas

Dermoid cysts

Dermoid cysts are congenital which means that they're present at birth. It is a saclike growth that contains hair, fluid, teeth, or skin glands. They are formed by egg making cells. They are more common in women under 30 years of age. The most common locations of dermoid cysts are in the ovaries, on the face and lower back and inside the skull. They're rarely cancerous. They are also known as cystic teratomas.

Cystadenomas

Cystadenomas are sacs or pockets filled with watery or a mucous material on the surface of ovaries. They are formed by cells that cover the outer part of your ovary.  They are rarely cancerous. They are more common in women over 40 years of age. There are two most frequent types of cystadenomas, serous cystadenomas and mucinous cystadenomas. They can grow very large in size and need to be removed surgically.

Symptoms

Most of the ovarian cysts do not show any symptoms (asymptomatic) and go away on their own without any treatment. However, the most common symptoms reported in ovarian cysts are discussed below,

• Pelvic or abdominal pain (sudden and severe)
• Feeling of fullness, pressure or heaviness in your abdomen
• Bloating
• Fever
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal swelling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Breast tenderness
• Painful bowel movements
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Rapid breathing
• Weakness

Treatment

The effective treatment plan of ovarian cysts depends upon the type, severity, symptoms and size of your cyst. Most of the ovarian cysts go away on their own without any treatment. But if it does not go away, then your gynecologist can prescribe hormonal contraceptives in the form of birth control pills, patches and vaginal rings. They prevent the recurrence of ovarian cysts. Surgery is recommended if the cyst is very large in size, pathological in nature and present through 2 to 3 menstrual cycles. Your gynecologist may prefer the surgical procedures such as laparoscopic surgery, oophorectomy, cystectomy and hysterectomy. Laparoscopy is used for both diagnosing and visualizing the ovarian cysts. Laparoscopic surgery is almost non-invasive and improves recovery. This technique reduces hospital span, pain and bleeding. The patient can go home on the same day of surgery.  In this surgery, small tubes are inserted into the abdomen near the umbilical cord. Then the laparoscope is inserted through these small tubes to perform surgery for the removal of cyst. Oophorectomy involves the removal of the ovary that is affected. Ovarian cystectomy involves the removal of cyst without removing the ovaries. If the ovarian cyst is malignant or cancerous, then your gynecologist will suggest a hysterectomy. It involves the removal of the uterus, ovaries and cervix. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy can also be given in malignant ovarian cysts.