Ovarian cysts are not always a cause for major concern. Like other types of cysts, they occur when fluid builds up inside of a membrane- in this case, inside of the ovary. Cysts take on the appearance of a sac and can range in severity of size, from tinier than a pea to larger than an orange. These sacs can be filled by different materials, from semi-solid to liquid or gaseous. It’s important to note that the contents of a cyst differ from an abscess in that they are not composed of pus.
Most ovarian cysts are small and thus harmless. While they appear most frequently during the prime female reproductive years, they can come about at any age. Unfortunately, there are sometime no signs or symptoms until later in their development, making early detection challenging. However, they are associated with a number of common symptoms, including: lower abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating, painful bowel movements, pain in the lower back and thighs, abnormal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, tenderness in the breasts, fever, dizziness, and pain during intercourse.
Though they are normally easy to treat, some types of ovarian cysts can cause complications, such as cutting off blood supply to the ovaries. Ruptured cysts are also dangerous, as they increase the risk of infection, pain, and internal bleeding if untreated. The following are the most common causes and accompanying symptoms of ovarian cysts. If you notice any of the following, you should make an appointment with a doctor.
1. Follicular
These are the most common type of ovarian cysts, as they occur naturally during the menstrual cycle. When an egg is released from one of the ovaries each month (ovulation), it moves to the womb for the purpose of being fertilized by sperm. These eggs are formed in the follicle, which protects the growing egg with fluid. When the egg is ready to be released for potential fertilization, the follicle is meant to burst.
In some cases, however, the follicle can perform differently, either failing to shed the fluid and shrink back to normal or by not releasing the egg at all. When this happens, the follicle continues to swell and grow, forming into a follicular cyst. This type is not cancerous and are typically painless. Most often, they go away on their own after a few weeks, and patients may not even notice them. Medical attention is required if these cysts lead to any pain or complications.
2. Menstrual Cycle
While follicular cysts are functional and fairly common, other cysts associated with the menstrual cycle are less so. Menstrual cycle cysts are sacs filled with blood. After ovulation, tissue called the corpus luteum is left behind. Cysts can develop when the corpus luteum fills with blood. While these also typically go away within a few months, they can sometimes rupture (or burst), causing sudden yet powerful pain and even internal bleeding. Medical attention is certainly required to treat these types of cysts, and help should be sought out immediately.
3. Endometriosis
The endometrium is the tissue that lines the uterus. This tissue can start to grow in other areas of the body, such as the bladder and fallopian tubes, though doctors are still unsure of why. When this occurs, the condition is referred to as ‘endometriosis’. The endometriosis can spread and, if the tissue growth reaches the ovaries, an endometrial cyst forms. This could occur on one or both of the ovaries. Endometrial cysts are often very small, but they are capable of growing as large as eight inches across. These cysts can cause abdominal pain, cramps, bleeding, and even infertility, if left untreated.
4. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Often referred to as PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome results from a hormonal disorder. Women afflicted with the condition often have infrequent or absent periods and excessively high androgen (male hormone) levels. The ovaries may develop many small collections of follicular cysts and fail to release eggs regularly. Though the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, excess insulin, high levels of androgen, and heredity are thought to play a role. Additionally, some research has shown that women with PCOS have a type of low-grade inflammation which causes the white blood cells to produce substances to fight infection. The inflammation stimulates the creation of androgens, which can lead to acne and blood and heart problems, as well.
5. Dermoid Cyst
Dermoid cysts are present at birth. These sac-like growths contain materials from the skin, such as hair, fluid, and even teeth. Small at birth, dermoid cysts grow slowly and gradually. They usually develop inside the skull, on the face, on the lower back, and/or inside of the ovaries. Superficial cysts are not tender unless ruptured and can typically be removed without complications. However, removing cysts from the ovaries is a far more meticulous procedure. Symptoms of a dermoid cyst on an ovary includes bloating, swelling of the abdomen, frequent urination, and even nausea and vomiting.
6. Tubo-ovarian abscesses
Tubo-ovarian abscesses are actually a result of another condition. They form as one of the later complications of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and are typically initiated by an upper genital tract infection. They can also come about after a hysterectomy. As noted above, abscesses consist of pockets of pus. Tubo-ovarian abscesses are encapsulated during an infection of the ovaries or fallopian tubes. These abscesses can be life-threatening if they rupture, as they can result in sepsis in the body. Patients suffering from this type of abscess often present with an elevated white blood cell count, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, and fever.
