What is the ovarian cyst?
First, let's look at the function of the ovaries. Ovaries are a paired hormonal organ about 3 centimeters in size that are located near the uterus and contain many eggs. Each month, the ovary "prepares and releases" usually one egg (maybe not one, maybe two). This egg, located in a thin capsule and surrounded by a liquid, is called the follicle. From an unexploded for various reasons, a follicle from which an egg should have emerged, for example, due to hormonal disorders or inflammatory processes, a follicular cyst is formed. It is a thin-walled formation that is filled with liquid or viscous contents, the size of which is more than 3 cm in diameter. On average, follicular cysts can reach a size of 5-6 cm, and sometimes much more. Such cysts always have one chamber. Although in some cases several such follicular cysts can form simultaneously in the ovary, which fit tightly to each other, and give the impression of a multi-chamber structure. In women of childbearing age, very often there are such functional (physiological) cysts, which in most cases dissolve by themselves.
According to the international classification of ovarian tumors, not all of these cystic formations, by their clinical nature, are true cysts. The true cyst increases due to the increase in its content and the expansion of the membranes, and not due to the division of cells from which the cyst shell is formed, as is the case with tumor processes. So, the cysts of the uterus are true cysts of the yellow body, follicular cysts and paraovarian cysts, these types of cysts are not subjected to malignancy - malignant degeneration. But the mucinous and dermoid cysts are benign neoplasms of the ovaries. Endometrioid ("chocolate") cyst is one of the manifestations of endometriosis of the ovaries, and also belongs to a completely different category of gynecological diseases.
Symptoms of an ovarian cyst.
Most ovarian cysts are small in size and do not cause any symptoms. However, some may be accompanied by aching dull pain, a feeling of heaviness and pressure in the lower abdomen and in the area of the sacrum, pain during sexual intercourse. Sometimes a cyst can lead to malfunctions of the menstrual cycle, making it shorter or longer. In more rare cases, cysts can cause severe pain, bleeding and even peritonitis. Sometimes there are frequent urge to urinate (when squeezing the bladder large size cyst). Frequent complications of ovarian cysts and parovarial cysts are the torsion of the cyst's legs, and the cyst's suppuration, as well as the rupture of its capsule. When the legs are twisted, the blood vessels are squeezed, the blood supply to the cyst is broken, and an inflammatory reaction occurs, accompanied by the symptoms of the "acute abdomen": acute pain in the lower abdominal areas, intoxication phenomena (fever, nausea, vomiting) and irritation of the peritoneum. The process of suppuration of the cyst is also accompanied by fever and acute pain in the abdomen. In the event of any complications a woman needs urgent specialized help.
Establishing diagnosis.
Diagnosis of the ovarian cyst is based on the patient's complaints, but since in most cases this disease occurs without any clinical manifestations, most often the cysts are discovered accidentally by a doctor during gynecological examination of a woman or during an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity organs. With the help of ultrasound can confirm and put a more accurate diagnosis. Sometimes a doctor needs to resort to MRI and blood tests.
Observation and treatment of cysts.
If the cyst is small and does not cause you any symptoms, then you can observe it for several months with the help of ultrasound, most of the functional cysts pass by themselves after one or two menstrual cycles. If the cause of cyst formation is an inflammatory process in the ovaries, then before combating the cyst, first remove the inflammation.
The doctor's decision on whether to observe or remove the cyst is influenced by many factors: age, size of the cyst, its ultrasound characteristics, as well as symptoms. For example, dermoid cysts and endometriomas do not pass by themselves, so they are removed only surgically.
Regardless of whether the cyst causes any symptoms or does not bother you at all, you need to watch it: it is important that the cyst resolves (I recall that most functional cysts go by themselves after 1-2 cycles). Or, at least, do not increase in size. In the overwhelming majority of cysts are benign, although in some rare cases they are malignant.
In the event that you need to remove the cyst surgically, you should know that there are several methods: laparoscopy (this operation is performed through a minimal incision with a special video camera) or a cavitary operation. Your doctor will choose the method most suitable for you depending on your age, the size of the cystic formation, its characteristics and many other factors.
Prevention.
Is it possible to prevent the formation of an ovarian cyst? Contraceptive agents can reduce the chance of forming a functional ovarian cyst and endometrioma. Influence on the formation and growth of other types of cysts is not yet possible.
But regular checks at the gynecologist will help to detect inflammation in a timely manner, put the right diagnosis and undergo a course of treatment, or, if necessary, an operation.