Ovarian cysts are common in women of all ages. The ovaries are a pair of small, oval-shaped organs in the lower part of the belly and they produce the hormones that are part of pregnancy, a women’s menstrual cycle and breast growth. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or inside of an ovary.
Three types of ovarian cysts
A functional cyst is the most common and there are two kinds, follicular and corpus luteum. A follicular cyst is when an egg isn’t released and it keeps growing inside the ovary. A corpus luteum cyst occurs when the sac around the egg doesn’t dissolve after the egg is released. These types of cysts only occur in a person who hasn't gone through menopause.
Endometrioma is a cyst filled with old blood and tissue that look like the lining of the uterus. Due to their dark color, they are often called chocolate cysts.
Dermoid cysts develop from ovarian cells and eggs. They may have hair, skin, teeth, or fat in them. These cysts are common in people of childbearing age.
Causes of ovarian cysts
- Fertility medicine used to cause ovulation
- Noncancerous growths
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that causes multiple follicular cysts on the ovaries
- Pregnancy
- Severe pelvic infection, such as chlamydia
- Cancer (rare)
Possible symptoms of ovarian cysts
Many people don’t have any symptoms, but for those who do, the most common are dull or sharp pain or pressure in the lower abdomen on the side of the cyst. Other symptoms may include:
- Breast tenderness
- Pain during sex or during your period
- Trouble emptying your bladder completely
- Weight gain
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (rare)
What to expect if diagnosed with ovarian cysts
Your primary healthcare provider, an obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) provider, nurse practitioner or midwife may diagnose the condition. Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and your symptoms. You will also have a physical exam that will likely include a pelvic exam. During the pelvic exam, your healthcare provider may feel the swelling on your ovary. In someone with no symptoms, this is often the first sign of a cyst.
If your healthcare provider thinks you may have an ovarian cyst, you may need tests such as:
- Ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to view the size, shape and location of the cyst. The test can also show if the growth is solid or filled with fluid.
- MRI. This uses large magnets and a computer to create a detailed picture of the area.
- Pregnancy test. This is done to check if pregnancy may be the cause of the cyst.
- Blood tests. These check for hormone problems and may indicate an increase in cancer risk or an infection.
Watch obstetrician and gynecologist, Catharine Roos, MD, dive deeper into the different types of ovarian cysts, what can cause them and how treatment is determined below.
Mar 17, 2023 Reporting from Niles, MI
Understanding Ovarian Cysts
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/health-wellness/ask-the-experts/ask-the-experts/2023/03/17/understanding-ovarian-cysts
Mar 17, 2023
Mar 17, 2023
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Ovarian cysts are common in women of all ages. The ovaries are a pair of small, oval-shaped organs in the lower part of the belly and they produce the hormones that are part of pregnancy, a women’s menstrual cycle and breast growth. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or inside of an ovar
Understanding Ovarian Cysts
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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