Ovarian Cyst - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

An ovarian follicle is that little cavity that grows an egg set for release at mid-cycle, or ovulation. One ovary produces an egg each month, and this process starts a woman's monthly menstrual cycle. The egg is enclosed in a sac called a follicle. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac, and can be located anywhere in the body. On the ovary, different types of cysts can form. They occur as a result of ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). Functional cysts normally shrink over time, usually in about 1 to 3 months. Ovarian Cyst is a variety of cysts, or fluid-filled cavities, may develop in an ovary. Each month a cyst is formed around an egg to be released at ovulation and subsequently disappears. In some cases, for unknown reasons, such a follicular cyst may not vanish for a time, although it eventually docs disappear. Occasionally, however, a follicular cyst persists, enlarges, and produces pain.

Ovarian cysts and their complications can be present from the neonatal period to postmenopause. Most ovarian cysts occur in the childbearing years and are benign in nature. Each month, a woman's ovaries grow tiny cysts that hold the eggs. When an egg is mature, the sac breaks open to release the egg, so it can travel through the fallopian tube for fertilization. Women normally have 2 ovaries that store and release eggs. Each ovary is about the size of a walnut, and 1 ovary is located on each side of the uterus.

An ovarian cysts is a sac filled with fluid or a semisolid material that develops on or within an ovary. Any ovarian follicle that is larger than about 2 centimeters is termed an ovarian cyst. Occasionally ovarian cysts occur as part of an ovarian tumour; such tumours may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and usually have a complex structure. It's important to understand the most common type of ovarian cyst--the follicle.  Other cysts may develop. Some may twist and, in so doing, may cause sudden severe pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and muscle spasm. Such cysts, which may need to be distinguished from appendicitis or intestinal obstruction by pelvic examination, require surgical removal. Some ovarian cysts can be cancerous, another reason for surgical excision.

Causes of Ovarian Cyst

Here are the list of the possible causes of Ovarian Cyst:

• Disordered folliculogenesis
• Hormonal imbalances
• Hypothyroidism
• Neonatal cysts (increased frequency in babies of mothers with diabetes, toxemia, and Rh immunization)
• A history of previous ovarian cysts with symptoms should be correlated with the current presentation and symptoms.
• Tamoxifen can cause benign functional ovarian cysts that usually resolve following discontinuation of treatment.
• Risk factors for ovarian cystadenocarcinoma include strong family history, advancing age, white race, infertility, nulliparity, a history of breast cancer, and BRCA gene mutations.
• Functional ovarian cysts develop during the course of the menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cyst

Some sign and symptoms related to Ovarian Cyst are as follows:

• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain, which may start and stop and may be severe, sudden, and sharp
• Long-term pelvic pain during menstrual period
• Pelvic exam -- may reveal an ovarian enlargement or a cyst
• Pain during bowel movements
• Pelvic pain shortly after beginning or ending a menstrual period
• Irregular periods or spotting
• Change in frequency of urination or difficulty with bowel movements due to pressure on adjacent pelvic anatomy

Treatment of Ovarian Cyst

Treatment of Ovarian Cyst are as follows:

• The patient waits and gets re-examined in one to three months to see if the cyst has changed in size. This is a common treatment option for women .
• Pain caused by ovarian cysts may be treated at home with pain relievers, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or narcotic pain medicine (by prescription).
• Ultrasound is used to determine the treatment strategy for ovarian cysts .
• The tumor can be removed either with laparoscopy , or if needed, an open laparotomy (using and incision at the bikini line) if it is causing severe pain, not resolving, or if it is suspicious in any way.