Ovarian Cysts

1. Disease-related cysts, cysts that cause problems such as chocolate cysts and cysts that are formed as a result of abnormal cell growth, and become malignant or cancerous.

2. Functional ovarian cysts, each month an egg that normally grows inside the follicle will be released from the ovary. If the follicle does not open to release the egg, it continues to grow into a cyst. Follicular cysts can resolve on their own within three months.  In some cases, follicle does release an egg but does not shrink, and then fluid or blood builds up inside, remain as a cyst on the ovary, and it will also go away on its own.

 

When an ovarian cyst has been first detected, the exact type of cysts cannot be determined unless the symptoms shown are obvious and usually the patient needs to visit the doctor for 2-3 months for observation. If the cyst goes away, then no further action is needed.

 

Most ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms whether it is a cancerous growth or a benign cyst, so many women may not even realize they have one. However, symptoms can be present depending on the type of ovarian cysts.  For example, patients with chocolate cysts may have chronic pelvic pain during the menstrual cycle.  If you have regular pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen or pelvis, visit gynecologist for advice and treatment.

 

Chocolate cyst that present on the ovary can prevent the ovary from forming eggs for fertilization. A cyst caused by endometriosis may also be related with infertility since endometriosis can affect the function of the ovary, egg, fallopian tubes or uterus making it difficult for women to conceive. Every month, the lining of the womb is built up by natural hormones in preparation for a fertilized egg.  If pregnancy does not occur, this is shed from the body as a period. 

 

Endometriosis is the condition that the tissue lines the inside of the uterus grows in other places; it thickens and bleeds as it normally would in each menstrual cycle but cannot leave the body.  This can cause inflammation, and the formation of scar tissue and cysts, which can block the fallopian tubes, keeping the egg and sperm from meeting. The endometriosis can also lead to adhesions which results in tissue destruction and anatomical distortion. This eventually affects function of the reproductive organs and of course can lead to infertility.

 

Generally, the treatment for ovarian cysts involves medications and surgery. The doctor may prescribe birth control pills to slow the growth of the cysts but this is not suitable for patient who would like to give birth.

 

Surgery may be recommended to remove the cysts which can be done via a laparoscope. The cysts removed can be sent for testing to determine if it is cancerous or benign.  With laparoscopy, the surgeon removes the cyst through the small cuts, so the patient experiences less pain and dramatically a quicker recovery time. In addition, undergoing laparoscopy helps increase the chance of getting pregnancy naturally.  

 

The treatment for ovarian cysts depends on the type of the cysts and also based on patient requirement.  If you are trying to get pregnant, the doctor will plan the appropriate treatment that will not interfere your ability to conceive.