Demystifying Ovarian Cysts: Symptoms, Causes, Types and Treatment Options

Radha is suffering from a lingering pain or ache in her tummy for the past couple of months which gets quite intense with activity or during exercise. Add to it the constant feeling of being bloated especially during those days of the month. Not to mention the constant urge to urinate. Imagine her embarrassment when she has to repeatedly excuse herself for loo breaks during office hours!

Are you too silently suffering just like Radha, wishing all these problems vanish magically putting an end to your ordeal? Well, looking at all your pain points (quite literally!) we think you and Radha might be suffering from Ovarian Cysts.

Read on to know what could be wrong and what you can do about it.

Ovarian cysts are one form of fluid-filled sacs that appear on or within an ovary. In most instances, ovarian cysts do not pose problems and sometimes just go away; they can occasionally be a very serious health concern, however. Knowing about ovarian cysts-what they are, how they develop, and how they can be treated, is essential for any individual experiencing symptoms or concerned with their reproductive health.

What is an Ovarian Cyst?

What exactly is an ovarian cyst? Consider a little balloon filled with water. Now consider that little balloon growing inside the ovary of a girl or woman – That is basically an ovarian cyst!

Ovarian cysts are fluid or semi-solid sacs that develop either on or within an ovary. The ovaries are female reproductive organs responsible for the production of eggs and the development of the female sex hormones, estrogen, and progesterone. A cyst may develop about a menstrual cycle or from other causes and can vary in size, number, and severity. Most ovarian cysts form as a result of your menstrual cycle. These are called functional cysts. Functional cysts are usually harmless. They rarely cause pain and often disappear on their own within 2 to 3 menstrual cycles. Most ovarian cysts are benign and do not show overt symptoms.

Types of Ovarian Cysts : Not All Cysts Are Created Equal

There are different types of ovarian cysts and just like how our title says, not all cysts are created equal. Some of the most common types include:

• Functional Cysts: These are the most usual form of ovarian cysts, which are generally harmless. They form part of the menstrual cycle and then often disappear after a few menstrual cycles. In functional cysts:
• Follicular cysts: These occur when the follicle does not open but instead swells with fluid.
• Corpus Luteum Cysts: These occur when the follicle releases an egg and then seals up again, filling it with fluid.
• Dermoid cysts: They are formed from the embryo tissues, so the cysts can contain hair, skin, and even teeth. They are normally benign but sometimes they grow large enough and create a complication.
• Endometriomas: These cysts form when the tissues that line the inside of the uterus grow on the ovaries. They are usually related to a painful condition called endometriosis.
• Cystadenomas: Benign tumors growing on the ovary’s surface. Normally, a watery and mucus-like fluid is contained within the tumor. These can become reasonably great in number and cause discomfort.
• Chocolate Cysts: This is a type of endometrioma filled with old, dark blood, hence the appearance of chocolate. They are associated with severe endometriosis and could present symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain and problems of fertility.
• Polycystic ovaries: Smaller cysts in ovaries might arise from hormone irregularities, the classical characteristic and most common disorder of polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a leading cause of irregular periods, infertility, and metabolic disorders.

Also Read :  Kegel Exercises for Women: Benefits & Importance?

Ovarian Cyst Symptoms : How to know if you have one

By now, you may be asking yourself, “How would I even know if I do have an ovarian cyst?” Well, here are some ovarian cyst symptoms you should be aware of:

• Pelvic Pain: May be dull or sharp on one side of the lower abdomen, often relating to the size of the cyst or a rupture.
• Abdominal bloating or swelling: The abdomen may appear enlarged if a cyst becomes large.
• Painful Intercourse: Pain or discomfort during intercourse may be one of the symptoms linked to an ovarian cyst.
• Menstrual abnormalities: alteration in the length of the menstrual cycle, flow, or duration may be connected with cysts.
• Difficulty Emptying the Bladder: Large cysts press on the bladder, causing problems with urination.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Symptoms can result from a cyst rupture or ovarian torsion.

The confusing part is most ovarian cysts do not produce symptoms. A study in the Journal of Pediatric Health discovered about 65% of girls with ovarian cysts had no complaints at all (Johnson et al., 2024).

Ovarian Cyst Causes : Why Do These Balloons Form?

So what are these factors that make these cysts appear? Several causes of ovarian cysts are given as follows:

• Hormonal Imbalance: These functional cysts are usually due to hormonal imbalance, which significantly varies during the menstrual cycle.
• Endometriosis: Implantation of endometrial tissue may occur on ovaries, which results in the formation of endometriomas or chocolate cysts.
• Pregnancy: In early pregnancy, the cysts develop as a result of the altered production of hormones in the body to support a pregnancy.
• Infections: Serious pelvic infections can extend and affect the ovaries, forming cysts.
• Genetic factors: Diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome are related to genetic factors and lead to the development of multiple cysts.

Ovarian Cyst Risk Factors : : Who’s More Likely to Get Them?

While anyone with ovaries can get this ailment, some women are more at risk of developing ovarian cysts. The following are the ovarian cyst risk factors:

• Age: Women who are in their reproductive age are more prone to having ovarian cysts because of the active menstrual cycle.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions like PCOS that involve hormone imbalances increase the risk of cyst formation.
• Pregnancy: Certain cysts are more likely to form during pregnancy.
• Endometriosis: Endometriomas can be developed by a woman with endometriosis.
• Previous Cysts: A history of ovarian cysts can cause one to have them often.

Ovarian Cyst Diagnosis

If a doctor suspects you might have an ovarian cyst, they’ll need to do some investigating. Here’s how they might go about ovarian cyst diagnosis:

• Pelvic Exam: A cyst in the genitals can easily be picked up during a routine pelvic examination.
• Ultrasound: An imaging test that creates a picture of your ovary from sound waves. It is the most common technique for verifying the presence, size, and nature of a cyst that is obtained.
• Blood Tests: Tests such as CA-125 can help determine whether the cyst is cancerous, although this occurs to a greater extent in post-menopausal women.
• Laparoscopy: A surgery in which the ovaries are visualized with a thin, lighted device inserted into the wall of the abdomen, it is also used to remove cysts.

Ovarian Cyst Treatment : Correcting the Problem

In the majority of cases, ovarian cyst treatment options are not needed, as the cysts resolve by themselves. Following are some procedures followed for ovarian cyst treatment : 

• Watchful Waiting: Physicians may recommend that small, functional cysts be watched with regular ultrasounds to see that the cyst resolves itself.
• Medicines Used: Hormonal contraceptives are immensely helpful in preventing new cysts from forming on the ovary by regularizing the menstrual cycle. One can also be prescribed pain relievers to manage the discomfort.
• Surgery: This may be undertaken when the cyst is large, intractable, or symptomatic to a very severe extent. 

In a recent study published by the International Journal of Pediatric Health, it has been recorded that almost 90% of ovarian cysts resolve spontaneously within 3 months in young females. Smith et al. (2024) pointed out that research supports the approach of ‘watchful waiting’. it simply means that patience often pays off while dealing with ovarian cysts. The time of the publication nicely coincides with summer vacation and may save lots of worries for many people affected by such an issue. DELETE

What is the difference between a Chocolate Cyst and an Ovarian Cyst?

Intrigued by the unique name – ‘Chocolate Cyst’? Let us assure you this has nothing to do with chocolates. Read on to know what they are. 

• Chocolate Cyst: Also known as an endometrioma, this type of cyst is filled with old, dark blood, resembling chocolate syrup. It forms when endometrial tissue, usually found in the uterus, grows on the ovaries. Chocolate cysts are especially linked with endometriosis and can cause acute pains, particularly during menstruation. 
• Ovarian cyst:  It is a much wider scope term that includes a list of different types of cysts formed on or in an ovary functional or an ovary cyst representing physiology during a cycle, pathological, and related to conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), like dermoid or cystadenomas.

While all chocolate cysts are ovarian cysts, not all ovarian cysts are chocolate cysts. Really, it’s about the same as saying that all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares!

Conclusion

Ovarian cysts are a common condition and, in general, they are innocuous, but knowing about the different types, causes, and forms of treatment associated with it is important for reproductive health. Regular check-ups and early diagnosis prevent complications, especially if you experience symptoms such as pelvic pain or irregular periods. If you suspect that you have an ovarian cyst or are already feeling symptoms, consult a healthcare professional to be correctly diagnosed and have appropriate treatment.

References:

1. Farghaly SA. Current diagnosis and management of ovarian cysts.Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2014;41(6):609-612. Available from : (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25551948/) 
2. MedlinePlus [Internet]: National Library of Medicine (US); Ovarian cysts; [cited 2024 Aug 30]; Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001504.htm
3. Sadia Mobeen; Radu Apostol.[updated 2023 June 5].Ovarian Cyst; [cited 2024 Aug 30]; Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560541/
4. Non-cancerous ovarian cysts need not be removed surgically, suggests study; In: News Medical Life Sciences Journal [Internet]; [published 2019 Feb 5]; [cited 2024 Aug 30]; Available from: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190205/Non-cancerous-ovarian-cysts-need-not-be-removed-surgically-suggests-study.aspx

Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is intended solely for educational purposes and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical treatment. Given the distinct needs of each individual, it is advisable for the reader to seek guidance from their healthcare provider to assess the relevance of the information to their specific circumstances.