21/03/2022
OVARIAN CYSTS
What Is an Ovarian Cyst?
Ovarian cysts are solid or fluid-filled pockets in or on your o***y. Theyโre common, especially in women who are pregnant or who havenโt gone through menopause yet.
Most of the time, theyโre painless and harmless. You might get one every month as part of your menstrual cycle and never know it. They usually go away on their own without treatment.
A cyst becomes a problem when it doesnโt go away or gets bigger. It can become painful. Thereโs also the possibility of cancer, but itโs rare. The chances go up as you get older
Ovarian Cyst Symptoms
Most ovarian cysts are small and donโt cause any problems. When there are symptoms, you might have pressure, bloating, swelling, or pain in one side of your lower belly. This pain may be sharp or dull, and it can come and go.
Sometimes, a cyst needs emergency attention. See your doctor right away if you have:
Sudden, severe belly pain
Pain with fever and throwing up
Dizziness, weakness, or feeling faint
Fast breathing
These things could mean your cyst has caused the o***y to twist.
Ovarian Cyst Causes
Most cysts are โfunctional.โ Theyโre a part of your monthly cycle.
Follicle cyst:
Your ovaries usually release one egg each month. It grows inside a tiny sac called a follicle.
When the egg is ready, the follicle breaks open and releases it. If the sac doesnโt open, it causes a follicle cyst. These often go away in 1 to 3 months.
Corpus luteum cyst
Once the egg is released, the empty follicle usually shrinks and helps get ready for the next egg. It becomes a cyst when it closes back up and fluid collects inside. It may go away in a few weeks. But it may bleed or cause pain as it grows.
Others are nonfunctional. In some women, their ovaries make a lot of small cysts. This condition is called polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS). It can make it hard to get pregnant. Other nonfunctional cysts may be caused by cancer. Ovarian cysts in women after menopause (once your period has stopped) are more likely to be cancerous than those in younger women.
Ovarian Cyst Risk Factors
Things that may make you more likely to get ovarian cysts include:
Hormonal problems.
Taking the fertility drug clomiphene (Clomid) to help you ovulate can increase your risk of cysts.
Pregnancy.
The cyst that forms during ovulation may stay on your o***y after you get pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.
Endometriosis.
Cells that usually line the inside of your uterus grow outside it. These wayward cells can attach to your o***y and cause a cyst to grow.
A severe pelvic infection.
If this spreads to your ovaries, it can cause cysts there.
A previous ovarian cyst. If youโve had at least one ovarian cyst before, youโre more likely to get others.
Ovarian Cyst Complications
Some women can have unusual complications with ovarian cysts. Your doctor might pick these up during a pelvic exam, so itโs important to get regular checkups.
Ovarian torsion.
If cysts grow large, they can make the o***y move and twist. This twisting (ovarian torsion) is very painful.
Rupture.
Cysts can break open, causing severe pain and bleeding, especially if the cysts are large. Vaginal s*x and other activities can make a rupture more likely.
A ruptured cyst sometimes heals on its own, but often, itโs a medical emergency.
Infected ovarian cyst. An ovarian cyst can develop in response to a pelvic infection, forming an abscess. If the abscess bursts, dangerous bacteria can spread through your body.
