Ovarian Cysts: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

The ovary is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women that are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.

The ovaries are the main source of female hormones, which control the development of female body characteristics such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. They also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Every month during ovulation, either the right or left ovary produces a single mature egg for fertilization. 

Ovarian cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that develop in a woman's ovaries. Most cysts are harmless, however sometimes they can develop into a more serious situation. That's why it's important to understand how these cysts may form.

Ovarian cysts form for numerous reasons. The most common type is a follicular cyst, which results from the growth of a follicle. A follicle is the normal fluid-filled sac that contains an egg.

Follicular cysts form when the follicle grows larger than normal during the menstrual cycle and does not open to release the egg. Usually, follicular cysts resolve spontaneously over the course of days to months.

Tumors can also form in the ovaries, just as they form in other parts of the body. If tumors are non-cancerous, they are said to be benign. If they are cancerous, they are called malignant. Further treatment is required for ovarian tumors.

There are several possible causes for Ovarian cysts, but the exact cause depends on the individual and their medical history. Here are some possible reasons for Ovarian cysts.

• smoking
• obesity
• not having children or not breastfeeding
• fertility drugs (such as Clomid)
• hormone replacement therapy
• family or personal history of ovarian cancer

Many ovarian cysts don't cause symptoms. Others can cause these minor symptoms:

• pressure, swelling, or pain in the abdomen
• dull ache in the lower back and thighs
• pain during sex
• weight gain
• pain during your period
• abnormal bleeding
• breast tenderness

If you have these more severe symptoms, contact your gynecologist immediately:

• pain with fever and vomiting
• sudden, severe abdominal pain
• faintness, dizziness, or weakness
• rapid breathing

Most ovarian cysts resolve themselves by rupturing and dissolving in your body. However; there are cases that require further attention, such as hormone therapy or even surgery.

If you do have a cyst that won't resolve itself, your doctor may prescribe birth-control pills to reduce the size of the cyst, and possibly even eliminate it all together.

If this does not work, surgery will be required to remove the cystic mass. Laproscopy is the easiest and least invasive surgery to remove a small ovarian cyst. A larger incision may be required to remove the larger masses.

Large ovarian cysts and tumors, if left untreated, may continue to grow and become increasingly painful. In extreme cases, cysts can twist around the ovary, causing unrepairable damage to the effected ovary. This was my personal experience.

My case was somewhat rare, considering my age, only 18, and the size of the cyst, 13 centimeters, comparable to the size of a grapefruit or softball. At that size, the symptoms are severe and extremely painful. After a few months on birth control to try and reduce the size, I had a laproscopic surgery to remove the cyst, along with my left ovary and fallopian tube.

Make sure that you visit your gynecologist annually for early detection and treatment of ovarian cysts. Ask your doctor about preventative measures such as birth control to help protect you and your ovaries from situations like mine. God Bless,

~ Laura