What are the symptoms of ovarian cyst?

Cysts on ovaries symptoms

What are the symptoms of ovarian cyst? Are you one of those who have asked this question? Read on as the answer lies in this article. But first, let’s define ovarian cyst. Ovarian cysts can be defined as the fluid-filled sacs in an ovary.

Ovarian cysts can also happen on the surface of the ovary. Women have ovaries on each side of the uterus with each about the size and shape of an almond.

Eggs, also called ova, develop and mature in the ovaries. They are released in monthly cycles in women of childbearing age.

Most ovarian cysts are not problematic. They are indeed harmless and present little or no discomfort. The majority of ovarian cysts resolve within a few months without treatment.

Do you know that many women have at least one ovarian cyst at some time during their lifetime? However, ovarian cysts, especially ruptured cysts, can cause serious symptoms.

In order to protect your health, know the symptoms of ovarian cyst and get regular pelvic exams. This will enable you identify a potentially serious ovarian cyst for prompt treatment.

What are the types of ovarian cysts?

Various types of ovarian cysts exist. For example, they include the functional cysts – follicle and corpus luteum cysts. They are the most common type of ovarian cysts. Also, other types include dermoid cysts and endometrioma cysts.

Follicle cyst

A follicle cyst occurs if fluid-filled follicle fails to break open to release an egg during a woman’s menstrual cycle. During every menstrual cycle, an egg grows in a follicle sac which normally breaks open and releases an egg. The follicle sac typically dissolves after releasing an egg. The follicle is located inside the ovaries.

Corpus luteum cysts

Corpus luteum occurs if the follicle sac did not dissolve and the opened follicle sealed with additional fluid accumulation inside the sac.

Dermoid cysts

Dermoid cysts are sac-like, ovarian growths containing fat, hair and other tissues.

Endometriomas

Some tissues normally grow inside the uterus. However, these tissues may grow outside the uterus and attach to the ovaries resulting in endometriomas.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which there is presence of large number of small cysts in the ovaries. Some women develop this condition.

Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause ovarian enlargement. Also, polycystic ovaries can cause infertility if left untreated.

Cystadenomas

Cystadenomas are noncancerous growths that can occur on the outer surface of the ovaries.

What are the risk factors for an ovarian cyst?

You may have a higher risk of developing an ovarian cyst if you experience any of these conditions:

• Pregnancy:  Cysts that form during ovulation may stay on your ovary throughout pregnancy.
• Severe pelvic infection: If a pelvic infection spreads to the ovaries, cysts may form as a result.
• Endometriosis: This is the growth of uterine endometrial cells outside you uterus. Some of the tissues can stick to your ovary and develop a growth.
• Previous ovarian cyst: You are likely to develop more cyst if you have had one.
• Hormonal problems: May occur if you take the fertility drug such as clomiphene, used to stimulate ovulation.

What are the symptoms of an ovarian cyst?

As indicated above, often times, ovarian cysts may not cause any symptoms. However, as the cyst grows symptoms may appear.

Symptoms of an ovarian cyst include:

• Painful intercourse
• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal swelling
• Pelvic pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Lower back pain
• Thigh pain
• Painful bowel movements

Further, symptoms of an ovarian cyst may be severe in which case there is need for immediate medical attention.

Severe symptoms of an ovarian cyst include:

• Rapid breathing
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Sharp or severe pelvic pain
• Faintness

These symptoms of ovarian cyst may be an indication of a ruptured cyst. Also, they can indicate an ovarian torsion. If not treated early, both ovarian torsion and ruptured cyst can have grave consequences.

What are the complications of ovarian cyst?

 Naturally, most ovarian cysts resolve on their own without treatment. Most of them are benign and cause little or no symptoms. However, it is possible but rare for a doctor to find a cystic, cancerous ovarian mass during a routine check.

Also, another rare complication of ovarian cysts is ovarian torsion. This occurs when a large cyst causes a twisting or movement of an ovary from its original position. As a result, the blood supply to the ovary is cut off. Additionally, there may be damage or death of the ovarian tissue if not treated.

Though ovarian torsion does not happen commonly, it accounts for about 3% of gynecologic, surgical emergencies.

Further, ruptured cysts can occur though they are rare. They can cause intense pain and internal bleeding. Also, with ruptured cysts, your risk of infection is high, and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Therefore, a ruptured cyst should be treated immediately it is detected.

How can an ovarian cyst be diagnosed?

Ovarian cyst can be detected during a routine pelvic examination.

For example, your doctor may notice an ovarian swelling and ask for an ultrasound test to confirm the presence of a cyst.

An ultrasound test is a high-frequency sound waves imaging test that produces an image of internal organs.

An ultrasound test helps determine location, composition, shape and size of a cyst.

The following imaging tools will be used to diagnose ovarian cysts:

• Ultrasound device
• MRI
• CT scan

An ultrasound device is an imaging device that visualizes the ovary. Ct scan, on the other hand, is a body imaging device that creates cross-sectional images of internal organs. Also, MRI is a test that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of internal organs.

Your doctor may not recommend a treatment plan immediately because most cysts resolve after a few weeks or months. Instead, a repeat ultrasound test will be done in a few weeks or months to reassess your condition.

If the cyst increases in size or there are no changes in your condition, your doctor may recommend additional tests to find other causes of your symptoms.

The additional tests that may be done include:

• CA-125 blood test to check for ovarian cancer
• Pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy
• Hormone level test to determine if there is too much progesterone or estrogen

How can ovarian cyst be treated?

If a cyst grows larger or it does not resolve on its own, your doctor may recommend treatment. So, the treatment includes removal or shrinking of the cyst.

Available options include:

Birth control pills

Your doctor can prescribe oral contraceptives if you have recurrent symptoms of ovarian cysts. Oral contraceptives will help stop ovulation and prevent new cysts from developing.

Birth control pills can also lower your risk of developing ovarian cancer. Postmenopausal women have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.

Laparotomy

Laparotomy can be done if you have a large cyst. This is a surgical removal of the cyst through a large incision in your abdomen.

After cyst removal, your doctor will conduct a biopsy of the cyst to determine if it is cancerous. If the cyst is cancerous, your doctors will perform a hysterectomy to remove the uterus and ovaries.

Laparoscopy

Your cyst may be small and may result from an imaging test to rule out cancer. In this case, your doctor can do a laparoscopy to remove the cyst.

Your doctor performs this procedure by making a tiny incision near your navel. Then s/he inserts a small instrument through the incision into your abdomen to remove the cyst.

How can ovarian cyst be prevented?

Ovarian cysts cannot be prevented. However, your doctor can detect ovarian cysts early with routine gynecologic examinations.

Ovarian cysts can be benign or cancerous. Benign ovarian cysts do not become cancerous. However, it may be difficult to differentiate between symptoms of ovarian cyst and ovarian cancer. This is because symptoms of ovarian cancer can mimic ovarian cyst symptoms.

Therefore, you should visit your doctor for proper examination and correct diagnosis.

Alert your doctor if you have the following symptoms:

• Continuous pelvic pain
• Abdominal fullness
• Changes in your menstrual cycle
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite

How do ovarian cysts affect pregnancy?

Some ovarian cysts are linked to low fertility or infertility. Cysts from polycystic ovarian syndrome or endometriomas may reduce a woman’s ability to get pregnant.

Unless they are large, cystadenomas, functional cysts and dermoid cysts are not linked with difficulty in getting pregnant.

If your doctor finds you have an ovarian cyst while pregnant, you will receive treatment that is dependent on the type and size of cyst.

For the umpteenth time, most cysts are benign. For this reason, they do not require surgical intervention. However, if the cyst is suspicious for cancer, you may need surgery. Also, your doctor will recommend surgical intervention if the cyst ruptures or twists or if it is large.

Conclusion

For premenopausal women with ovarian cysts, most cysts resolve within a few months. However, they can have recurrent ovarian cysts, same way as women with hormone imbalances.

Some cysts, especially polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriomas, can decrease fertility if left untreated.

So if present, your doctor should shrink or remove the cyst to improve fertility.

It is important to note that dermoid cysts, functional cysts and cystadenomas do not affect fertility.

Note that some doctors may take ‘watchful waiting’ approach with ovarian cysts. Also, they may recommend surgical removal and examination of any cyst or growth that develops on the ovaries after menopause. This is to determine whether the cyst or ovary has become cancerous. The risk of having an ovarian cancer or a cancerous cyst increases after menopause.

However, ovarian cysts do not cause an increase in the risk of ovarian cancer. If you have a cyst, your doctor may remove it if it is larger than 5 centimeters in diameter.

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