An ovarian cyst or ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled blister on the ovary (ovary). It is medically called an ovarian cyst.
What is an ovarian cyst?
The anatomy of the female reproductive organs clearly shows the affected ovaries. Ovarian cysts, or ovarian cysts, often develop due to hormonal changes in the body and often regress on their own. Only when they become so large that they cause pain or press on other organs, or are diagnosed as malignant, do they need to be surgically removed. An ovarian cyst is a blister on the ovary that contains fluid. It can be 1-10 cm in diameter. Cyst is the medical term for a lump which is hollow inside and filled with fluid. Ovarian cysts form directly on the ovary. Female ovaries are located to the left and right of the uterus in the lower abdomen.
Causes
There are two types of ovarian cysts: functional ovarian cyst and retention cyst. Each of these cysts has a different cause. The functional ovarian cyst is the more common type. It is caused by hormonal fluctuations, which are either caused by misdirected hormone production in the body or by therapeutic hormone treatment. Endometriosis (disease of the uterine lining) can also lead to the formation of ovarian cysts. The reason for retention cysts (retention = holding back) is an accumulation of secretion that cannot drain away due to obstruction. The retention cysts that form on the ovaries are usually the so-called dermoid cysts. They contain an oily fluid and various cellular tissues. They occur mainly in young women. This type of ovarian cyst is a malformation and is congenital.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
An ovarian cyst is usually only a few centimeters in size and does not cause any symptoms. If the ovarian cyst reaches a certain size, various symptoms may develop. For example, due to the pressure on the adjacent organs, there is dull or pulling lower abdominal pain. These are accompanied by a frequent urge to urinate and bowel emptying problems. In individual cases, a cyst causes circulatory disturbances, which can be manifested by sensory disturbances, twitching and other, mostly unspecific symptoms. In addition, back pain and pain during sexual intercourse may occur in connection with an ovarian cyst. Menstrual cramps may also occur. The menstrual cycle is often disturbed or irregular, and severe pain during menstruation is also possible. In case of complications such as bleeding or rupture, an ovarian cyst can lead to sudden, colicky pain. In addition, typical fever symptoms may occur, i.e., sweating, chills and an increasing feeling of illness. If the cyst is not treated, it can grow in size and the symptoms increase in intensity. An ovarian cyst cannot be detected externally by a layperson. However, the doctor will notice a slight elevation of the skin in the abdominal area. If this elevation is touched, acute pain usually occurs.
Diagnosis and course
An ovarian cyst does not cause any discomfort as long as it is small and does not press on other organs. Such a small cyst is usually discovered by chance during a routine gynecologic examination. If the ovarian cyst grows, it can cause pain in the lower abdomen. Spotting, frequent urination, discomfort during bowel movements, back pain or pain during sexual intercourse in women are also possible. The monthly cycle may be disturbed and irregular, also ovarian cysts sometimes cause more severe pain during menstruation. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will first palpate the abdomen externally, as well as perform a vaginal palpation. An ultrasound examination can confirm any palpation findings. If an ovarian cyst has formed in older women who are already in menopause, the blood will be examined with regard to a tumor marker to rule out a malignant tumor.
Complications
Ovarian cysts (ovarian cysts) are not usually associated with serious complications. However, in about ten percent of cases, a rupture occurs, which means that the ovarian cyst bursts.Bursting often occurs as a result of external influences, for example during sports or during an examination by a gynecologist. However, ovarian cysts can also burst spontaneously without external intervention. This process is usually harmless. In individual cases, however, the rupture can cause vessels to rupture, resulting in bleeding in the brook area, which requires surgical intervention. If the blood runs into the abdomen, this usually results in a circulatory collapse. If the injury is severe, dangerous blood loss is also possible. Another complication that can occur with ovarian cysts is so-called stylet torsion. Larger ovarian cysts, especially those resulting from endometriosis, may be linked to the ovaries by a vascular pedicle. Sudden jerky movements, for example during sports, but also during sexual intercourse, can cause this pedicle to rotate. The blood supply to the cyst tissue and possibly also to the ovaries themselves is thus severely restricted or completely cut off. The cells that are no longer sufficiently supplied with blood begin to die. In these cases, surgical intervention is required. Otherwise, decay processes could cause peritonitis or sepsis.
When should you go to the doctor?
Ovarian cysts are common and are benign in most cases. However, if they cause discomfort, such as severe abdominal discomfort, it is better to see a gynecologist to avoid complications that may be life-threatening. An ovarian cyst can burst and bleed into the abdomen. It can also rotate once on its axis in a stylet rotation, cutting off or, in worse cases, tearing off blood vessels that supply the ovaries. Often, stylet rotations are caused by jerky movements. They are associated with severe pain. If nausea, sweating and rapid pulse are also present, emergency surgery is usually required. Even if cysts cause bleeding beyond the period, a visit to the doctor should always be made as a precaution to clarify the cause. Even if cysts are benign in most cases, they can also degenerate malignantly and promote ovarian cancer. Especially if there is also a family risk, it makes sense to observe cysts over a longer period of time. So-called chocolate cysts in the context of endometriosis should also be observed and treated if necessary. They behave like the uterus and bleed during menstruation. However, the blood cannot drain there and can lead to crusting and painful adhesions in the abdominal cavity.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of an ovarian cyst depends on the type of cyst. In young women, ovarian cysts are usually harmless functional cysts that usually resolve on their own. Initially, one waits and watches how the cyst develops and whether it shrinks again and disappears completely. Sometimes hormonal medications such as birth control pills are prescribed to shrink the ovarian cyst. Only if it continues to grow and becomes so large that it presses on other organs will it be surgically removed. Ovarian cysts that appear in older women after the menopause should be examined closely. For this purpose, the doctor removes tissue from the ovarian cyst by means of laparoscopy, i.e. through small incisions in the abdominal wall and under the control of a camera, and has it examined in the laboratory. The patient is under general anesthesia during the procedure. If the tissue is malignant, the cyst is surgically removed. For ovarian cysts caused by endometriosis, hormonal therapy is tried first. If this does not work, the doctor will also surgically remove these ovarian cysts in a laparoscopy.
Outlook and prognosis
The ovarian cyst generally has a good prognosis. In more than 90% of affected patients, the cyst heals on its own without further medical intervention. There is freedom from symptoms and complete recovery. In some cases, complications arise despite the favorable outlook. The cyst may rupture, tear or twist. This can happen as early as palpation, sexual or vigorous physical activity. Pain sets in and light bleeding is possible. Often, however, the discomfort is still of little concern. However, if bleeding occurs, it can develop into the abdominal cavity.Surgical intervention is necessary to prevent further diseases from developing. If the operation proceeds without further complications, the patient can be discharged from treatment within a short time. Although the ovarian cyst has a good chance of healing, a new formation of one or more cysts is possible at any time. In very rare cases, the ovarian cyst can develop into a malignant tumor and be the cause of ovarian cancer. Without treatment, this progresses progressively and may result in the premature death of the patient. With medical care, the prognosis depends on the stage of the disease and the effectiveness of cancer therapy. Lifelong sequelae such as infertility are possible.
Prevention
Prevention is not possible for dermoid cysts because they are congenital. In functional ovarian cysts, hormonal prevention would be conceivable. However, because these ovarian cysts are harmless and usually regress on their own, the burden on the body of hormonal preparations would be greater than the impairment caused by the formation of an ovarian cyst. If the cysts are caused by endometriosis, the hormones administered during treatment not only have a therapeutic effect, but also act as prophylaxis at the same time. That is, the hormones shrink the existing cysts and additionally prevent the formation of new ovarian cysts.
Aftercare
In most cases of an ovarian cyst, the measures of an aftercare are very limited. In this case, the affected person is primarily dependent on complete treatment of this disease, so that it does not lead to further cysts or further complications on the body. Whether the ovarian cyst will reduce the life expectancy of the affected person cannot be universally predicted. In most cases, the ovarian cyst can be removed relatively easily through surgery. This is not always necessary, so surgery is only performed if the ovarian cyst is likely to spread or is malignant. After the procedure, the patient should rest and take care of her body. The patient should refrain from exertion or stressful activities. Sexual intercourse should also be avoided in the period following removal in order not to irritate the region unnecessarily. In many cases, even after successful removal of an ovarian cyst, regular examinations by a doctor are necessary and useful. When treating this condition with medication, care should be taken to ensure that the medication is taken regularly and correctly, and proper dosage should also be observed.
This is what you can do yourself
Before self-treatment, affected individuals should have the type of cyst determined by a gynecologist. Subsequent therapy will be based on this. Since most cysts are harmless and often disappear on their own, affected women can try to alleviate the symptoms that occur. Nature provides numerous medicinal plants for complaints such as abdominal pain or frequent urination. Monk’s pepper or the herb lady’s mantle should be mentioned here. These are mostly offered as tea. Drinking several cups a day can reduce mild discomfort. Monk’s pepper also regulates fluctuations in the menstrual cycle. If the pain is temporary, it is also possible to take an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen (analgesic). Furthermore, cold or heat applications can be tried. Patients react to these differently. In general, anything that does you good is allowed. Since many women also complain of flatulence – in most cases the intestine is also affected as an adjacent organ – it is advisable to reduce flatulent foods. To counteract the frequent urge to urinate, preparations made from pumpkin seeds can help. If sexual intercourse causes pain, it should be avoided at first. If the cyst is caused by a hormonal imbalance, the use of a low-dose birth control pill can be considered. Since taking these pills can also cause side effects, the advantages and disadvantages should be weighed carefully. If the patient is already taking an estrogen preparation, changing the medication could be an option.
