What Are Ovarian Cysts?
Ovarian cysts are a very painful type of growth that occur on the ovaries, which are located in the pelvis in women. Most women have two ovaries, and cysts can be susceptible to grow on either of them. The ovaries themselves, when normal, are about the size of an almond. However, when a cyst grows on one, it is essentially engulfed by a liquid or gaseous sac that can cause widespread pain and irritation.
How to Ovarian Cysts Occur?
There is no one exact reason as to why these occur, but there are several different possibilities that you will need to explore with your doctor if it turns out that you have cysts.
One of the most common issues that lead to the growth of cysts occurs during the menstrual cycle. Once an egg is released from the ovary and it is not fertilized, it should break down and disappear. However, if it does not, it can fill with fluid or blood from the body and attach to the ovary as a cyst.
Another common situation where this occurs is in women with endometriosis, which is a condition where cells grow outside of the uterus and on the ovaries, instead of inside the uterus.
What Are Symptoms to Look Out For?
Unfortunately, aside from having a pelvic exam done, cysts are not usually discovered until they rupture, bleed, or grow to the point that they cause extreme and ongoing pain in the stomach or pelvic area. Another common symptom that could be a sign of an ovarian cyst is having constant bloating and digestion problems, problems with bowel movements, or even experiencing pain while having sex.
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, it is vital to see a doctor as soon as possible, as that is the only way to have the cysts officially diagnosed and treated.
How Are Ovarian Cysts Treated?
Depending on the size and severity of the cysts, the doctor can decide on different treatment options. For those that could potentially be cancerous, the cyst will be removed and tested. This is done through a procedure known as a laparoscopy or laparotomy. This procedure may also be done in cases where the cyst is causing severe pain to the point where the patient is having trouble functioning on a regular basis.
In many cases, however, they will disappear naturally over the course of several months. This can be a relief for women who have cysts but do not want to have to get them surgically removed and have been cleared by their doctors. However, for women who suffer from these cysts frequently, simply waiting for them to go away on their own is not always so easy.
Ovarian cysts are a very painful type of growth that occur on the ovaries, which are located in the pelvis in women. Most women have two ovaries, and cysts can be susceptible to grow on either of them. The ovaries themselves, when normal, are about the size of an almond. However, when a cyst grows on one, it is essentially engulfed by a liquid or gaseous sac that can cause widespread pain and irritation.
How to Ovarian Cysts Occur?
There is no one exact reason as to why these occur, but there are several different possibilities that you will need to explore with your doctor if it turns out that you have cysts.
One of the most common issues that lead to the growth of cysts occurs during the menstrual cycle. Once an egg is released from the ovary and it is not fertilized, it should break down and disappear. However, if it does not, it can fill with fluid or blood from the body and attach to the ovary as a cyst.
Another common situation where this occurs is in women with endometriosis, which is a condition where cells grow outside of the uterus and on the ovaries, instead of inside the uterus.
What Are Symptoms to Look Out For?
Unfortunately, aside from having a pelvic exam done, cysts are not usually discovered until they rupture, bleed, or grow to the point that they cause extreme and ongoing pain in the stomach or pelvic area. Another common symptom that could be a sign of an ovarian cyst is having constant bloating and digestion problems, problems with bowel movements, or even experiencing pain while having sex.
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, it is vital to see a doctor as soon as possible, as that is the only way to have the cysts officially diagnosed and treated.
How Are Ovarian Cysts Treated?
Depending on the size and severity of the cysts, the doctor can decide on different treatment options. For those that could potentially be cancerous, the cyst will be removed and tested. This is done through a procedure known as a laparoscopy or laparotomy. This procedure may also be done in cases where the cyst is causing severe pain to the point where the patient is having trouble functioning on a regular basis.
In many cases, however, they will disappear naturally over the course of several months. This can be a relief for women who have cysts but do not want to have to get them surgically removed and have been cleared by their doctors. However, for women who suffer from these cysts frequently, simply waiting for them to go away on their own is not always so easy.
