What are ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts will be fluid-filled, sac-like structures inside an ovary. The term cyst refers to a fluid-filled structure. For this reason, just about all ovarian cysts carry at least some fluid.

What causes ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts form for numerous reasons. Probably the most common type is a follicular cyst, that results from the growth of a follicle. A follicle is a regular fluid-filled sac that contains an egg. Follicular cysts form whenever the follicle will grow larger than usual during the menstrual cycle and fails to open to release the egg. Usually, follicular cysts resolve by themselves over the course of days to months. Cysts might contain blood (hemorrhagic or endometrioid cysts) because of injury or leakage of very small blood vessels into the egg sac. Occasionally, the tissues of the ovary develop abnormally to form other body tissues for example , hair or teeth. Cysts with these abnormal tissues are known as dermoid cysts.

What symptoms are caused by ovarian cysts? What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?

The majority of cysts are never noticed and resolve without women ever realizing that they're there. When a cyst causes symptoms, pains in the belly or pelvis are probably the most typical ovarian cyst symptoms. The pain may be brought on from rupture of the cyst, fast development and stretching, bleeding into the cyst, or twisting of the cyst about its blood supply.

How are ovarian cysts identified?

Most cysts are diagnosed by ultrasound examination, which is the best imaging technique for revealing ovarian cysts. Ultrasound is an imaging system that uses sound waves to produce a picture of structures in the body. Ultrasound imaging is painless and causes no problems.

Cysts can be diagnosed with other imaging methods, like CAT scan or MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging).

Are ovarian cysts threatening?

Normally not. Nearly all cysts are not cancerous, bring about no problems and eventually disappear altogether. Occasionally, however, they lead to problems and need treatment. Fortunately good ovarian cyst treatment is readily available.