What You Need to Know About Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are a common condition in women of reproductive age, and they can cause a variety of symptoms that range from mild to severe. It’s important to understand what ovarian cysts are, the different types, and how they can be treated.

What Are Ovarian Cysts?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the surface of one or both ovaries. They can vary in size, from small and harmless to large and potentially dangerous. Most ovarian cysts don’t cause any symptoms and will go away on their own within a few months without treatment. However, some may need to be surgically removed if they become large enough or cause pain or other symptoms.

Types of Ovarian Cysts

There are several types of ovarian cysts:

• Functional Cyst: This is the most common type of ovarian cyst, which occurs when an egg is not released during ovulation and instead forms a small sac filled with fluid. These usually go away on their own within two to three menstrual cycles without treatment.

• Endometriomas: These are caused by endometriosis—a condition where tissue similar to the lining inside your uterus grows outside it—and form when this tissue attaches itself to an ovary and forms a sac filled with blood or other fluids. These may require surgery if they become large enough or cause pain or other symptoms.

• Dermoid Cyst: These form when cells that normally create skin tissues grow inside an ovary instead, forming a sac filled with hair, skin cells, fat cells, and other tissues. Dermoid cysts usually require surgery for removal because they have the potential to become cancerous over time if left untreated.

• Cystadenomas: These form when certain types of cells grow abnormally inside an ovary forming a sac filled with mucus-like material that can become quite large over time if left untreated requiring surgical removal for proper treatment .

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This is actually not considered an ovarian cyst but rather a hormonal imbalance in which multiple tiny fluid-filled sacs form on one or both ovaries due to increased levels of male hormones in women causing irregular menstrual cycles as well as infertility issues . It is usually treated by lifestyle changes such as diet modifications , exercise , weight loss , medications , etc .

Symptoms & Treatment Options

The most common symptom associated with ovarian cysts is pelvic pain which may range from mild discomfort all the way up to severe pain depending on the size and location of the cyst . Other possible symptoms include bloating , nausea & vomiting , breast tenderness & sensitivity , difficulty emptying your bladder completely , abnormal bleeding between periods , etc . Treatment options depend on the type & size of the cyst but typically involve either watchful waiting (for small functional/noncancerous ones ) or surgical removal (for larger ones) . If you experience any concerning symptoms related to ovarian cysts it’s important that you see your doctor right away so they can properly diagnose & treat them accordingly .

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Tags:

ovarian cysts, functional cyst, endometriomas, dermoid cyst, cystadenomas, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pelvic pain, bloating, nausea & vomiting, breast tenderness & sensitivity, difficulty emptying bladder completely, abnormal bleeding between periods, watchful waiting surgical removal,

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