Throughout life, many women develop one or more ovarian cysts. What are they? They are sacs filled with fluid or solid material that form inside or outside the ovaries. However, their presence is not always associated with serious pathologies. Many cysts resolve spontaneously without special treatment.
How common are ovarian cysts?
If a significant number of women underwent a pelvic ultrasound at the same time, it would turn out that almost all women of reproductive age and at least 20% of postmenopausal women have one or more ovarian cysts. According to statistics, only 4 out of 100 women experience real problems related to ovarian cysts during their lifetime.
Why do cysts form?
In most cases, ovarian cysts are a physiological phenomenon associated with the menstrual cycle. Less commonly, they are the result of a tumor or other diseases. Thus, ovarian cysts are divided into two categories:
• Functional cysts;
• Pathological cysts.
Functional cysts are the most common form of ovarian cysts. They arise as a result of a physiological process and are therefore considered completely harmless.
Pathological cysts: these include formations arising from a tumor, whether benign or malignant, as well as cysts that develop as a result of certain conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome.
What symptoms do cysts cause?
In most cases, ovarian cysts are asymptomatic. However, if they increase in size, rupture and release their contents, or interfere with blood flow to the organ, a number of signs may appear. Pelvic pain may be dull if the ovarian cyst is large but intact, or sharp and sudden if the cyst has ruptured. Sometimes the pain may be felt in the back.
Other symptoms: pain during sexual intercourse; difficulty completely emptying the bowels; frequent urges to have a bowel movement; changes in the menstrual cycle; a feeling of heaviness and bloating in the abdomen; a feeling of fullness even after a light meal.
If a woman experiences the symptoms listed above, she should immediately consult a gynecologist for examination. Although dangerous ovarian cysts are rare, it is better to be cautious and take all necessary precautions.
How are they treated?
Since most ovarian cysts are temporary and resolve spontaneously, specialists at Bogolyuby Medical Center recommend waiting several weeks before considering surgical intervention. During this period, progress is monitored through regular gynecological examinations and at least two to three ultrasound scans performed several weeks apart.
If no improvement is observed, the physician should evaluate other approaches, both conservative and surgical. Three main parameters are considered in determining the most appropriate treatment: the size of the cyst, the severity of current symptoms, and the patient's age.
For certain types of cysts, birth control pills may be beneficial because they help regulate hormonal fluctuations. They can reduce the size of the cyst until it disappears completely. In such cases, the duration of treatment varies from patient to patient. Generally, 3–6 months is sufficient to achieve the desired effect.
An ovarian cyst requires surgical removal if it is large, causes severe symptoms, or there is suspicion of malignancy. If the cyst is benign and the patient is of reproductive age, the operation will involve only removal of the cyst. If the cyst is very large, or if the patient has lost fertility, the procedure involves removal of the entire affected ovary.
The presence of a malignant ovarian cyst requires surgeons to remove not only the affected ovary, but also the healthy ovary and the uterus.
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