An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the ovary. The ovaries make eggs and female hormones. Most ovarian cysts are small and benign (not cancerous). However, the larger ones can cause pain [2] and other problems. A woman can develop one or many ovarian cysts.
Close Up of Ovary and Fallopian Tube
© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Follicles grow in the ovaries each month. They make hormones and release an egg during ovulation. In some cases, follicles may become cysts. There are two main types:
Most ovarian cysts are functional cysts. And they only occur during childbearing years. Many other, less common types of benign cysts can also develop from ovarian tissue. For example, women with endometriosis [3] may develop endometriomas. Endometriosis is when tissue from the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Endometriomas are cysts that grow from the uterine tissue on an ovary.
Polycystic ovary syndrome [4] is also linked to cysts. Women with this condition have several small cysts in their ovaries (more than 10).
A very small percentage of women have cysts that are caused by cancer [5].
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
The main risk factor for ovarian cysts is being a woman of childbearing age.
Most ovarian cysts do not cause symptoms. When they do, pelvic pain [2] and irregular menstrual bleeding are the two most common symptoms. Pain is usually caused by:
Pain may come and go on a regular basis. Or it may be more noticeable just before or after your period or during sex [6].
Other symptoms:
In rare cases, an ovarian cyst may become twisted. This can cut off its own blood supply. This can cause severe abdominal pain [2], vomiting, and fever. Call your doctor immediately if you have these symptoms.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical [8] history, and perform a pelvic exam. Ovarian cysts are often found during routine pelvic exams when there are no symptoms.
If a cyst is suspected or found, the doctor may recommend a pelvic ultrasound [9]. This is a test that uses sound waves to create images of the ovaries. Using this test, your doctor can determine the type and size of the cyst. She can also determine what treatment is needed.
Other tests or procedures may be used if a cyst:
Other tests may include:
Treatment depends on your age, menstrual status, the size and type of the cyst, and your symptoms. The main types of treatment are:
This approach involves waiting a few months to see if the cyst goes away on its own.
If you have a functional cyst, your doctor may prescribe birth control pills. The pills may prevent other cysts from developing during the "wait and see" period. If you get ovarian cysts often, birth control pills decrease the chance of new ones forming.
Pelvic laparoscopy may be recommended to remove a cyst if it:
If the cyst is not cancerous, often just the cyst can be removed. However, in some cases, your whole ovary may need to be removed. If the cyst is cancerous, you may have both ovaries and uterus removed. This requires an open surgical procedure [12], rather than a laparoscopy.
Ovarian cysts are common and are usually painless and benign. Doctors do not routinely recommend any preventive interventions. Birth control pills may help women who have cysts that reoccur. Taking oral [13] contraceptive pills for more than five years has also been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer [5].
The best way to catch cysts early is to:
RESOURCES:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org/ [14]
The National Women's Health Information Center
http://www.4woman.gov/ [15]
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cancer Society
cancer [16].ca">http://www.cancer [5].ca/
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org/ [17]
References:
Ovarian cyst. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030601/2375ph.html [18]. Published June 1, 2003. Accessed June 10, 2008.
Ovarian cysts. The National Women's Health Information Center website. Available at: http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/ovarian_cysts.htm [19]. Updated January 2005. Accessed June 10, 2008.
Last reviewed January 2008 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE [20]
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical [8] advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health [21] provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical [8] condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
Links:
[1] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/editorial-staff-and-contributors#LaurieR
[2] http://www.thirdage.com/pain-management
[3] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/endometriosis-endo
[4] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-stein-leventhal-syndrome-polyfollicular-ovarian-appea
[5] http://www.thirdage.com/living-with-cancer
[6] http://www.thirdage.com/sex
[7] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/diarrhea
[8] http://www.thirdage.com/medical-care
[9] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/diagnostic-ultrasound-of-the-abdomen-sonogram
[10] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/laparoscopy
[11] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/ovarian-cancer-cancer-of-the-ovaries
[12] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/ovarian-cyst-removal
[13] http://www.thirdage.com/oral-health
[14] http://www.acog.org
[15] http://www.4woman.gov
[16] http://www.