Do you often feel pelvic pain or bloating? You need to be aware of the possibility of ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that grow on a woman’s ovaries. This disease usually appears during the fertile period or women’s menstruation.
Normal women will usually have two ovaries. It is located one on the right and one on the left of the uterus. The ovaries, about the size of a pecan seed, are part of the female reproductive system.
You need to know, the ovaries function to produce eggs every month, starting from puberty to menopause. Not only that, but the ovaries are also responsible for producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. However, sometimes the function of the ovaries can be disturbed, one of which is the appearance of this cyst.
Then what are the symptoms of ovarian cysts, causes and how to deal with them? For more detailed information, see the full review below:
Ovarian Cyst Symptoms
Most ovarian cysts are small and cause no symptoms, and are harmless. These cysts can disappear independently without the need for special treatment. However, if an ovarian cyst ruptures, severe symptoms may occur.
Cysts on the ovaries will usually show symptoms if they do not go away and get bigger. In conditions like this, usually, there will be several symptoms that appear, such as the patient feeling pelvic pain or abdominal bloating. The condition will be more severe if the cyst bursts or the ovarian tissue is twisted so that it requires treatment as soon as possible. Also, we need to be aware that ovarian cysts can also affect a woman’s fertility in some instances.
Causes of Ovarian Cysts
The formation or cause of ovarian cysts depends on various factors. Among them can be related to the menstrual cycle, or it could be due to abnormal cell growth. Although there is abnormal cell growth, this type of cyst is usually benign but can also develop into malignant.
Based on the cause, ovarian cysts are divided into two types, namely functional ovarian cysts and non-functional ovarian cysts. A functional ovarian cyst is a type of cyst that forms when a woman’s ovaries release an egg to be fertilized. This type of cyst is the most common problem experienced by women and is usually harmless.
While non-functional ovarian cyst is a type of cyst that is not related to the normal function of a woman’s menstrual cycle, examples of non-functional cysts include the following:
- Dermoid cyst
- Cystadenoma
- Endometrioma
To avoid the risk of developing cysts on the ovaries, it’s a good idea for women to regularly check with a doctor, especially if they find symptoms of the disease. In addition, also avoid foods that cause ovarian cysts that can increase the risk of developing the disease.
Ovarian Cyst Risk Factors
Women can have a greater risk of developing ovarian cysts if they have the following conditions:
- Hormonal problems
- Pregnancy
- Endometriosis
- Severe pelvic infection
- Have a previous history of cysts
Hormonal problems are one of the most significant risk factors for this disease. Hormonal cysts are usually more common during the fertile period. However, this type of cyst is generally harmless and will go away with time.
Ovarian Cyst Diagnosis
To find out whether a woman has ovarian cysts or not, the doctor will usually perform several examinations, especially a pelvic examination. In addition, there are several other supporting examinations, including the following:
- Pregnancy test
- pelvic ultrasound
- Laparoscopy
- CA 125 blood test
If the examination found signs of cysts on the ovaries, there is no need to worry too much. This is because ovarian cyst patients can get pregnant and have children like normal women in general. However, further treatment is needed to determine whether the cyst is malignant or not.
Ovarian Cyst Treatment
Ovarian cysts treatment will be adjusted according to the patient’s age, type, and cyst size. Not only that, but therapy is also based on the symptoms caused. So if you ask whether a 4 cm cyst is dangerous, it must be treated immediately. However, if the cyst condition is minor, doctors usually only recommend self-treatment at home because it is not dangerous and can go away on its own.
To treat ovarian cysts, doctors usually will perform several actions such as the following:
- Observation
- Administration of drugs such as hormonal contraceptives
- Surgery or cyst removal
If it is found that the ovarian cyst has ruptured, then action is needed as soon as possible. A ruptured cyst can cause the ovarian tissue to twist and require further treatment. If not, this can affect the fertility of women. Not only that, but a ruptured cyst can also cause severe pain and internal bleeding in women.
Ovarian Cyst Prevention
Until now, there is no sure way to prevent ovarian cysts. However, regular pelvic exams can help detect changes in the ovaries. This makes ovarian cysts can be detected as early as possible. Not only that, but this method can also be a way to treat ovarian cysts in teenagers so that they don’t develop and their conditions turn out to be more malignant.
In addition to doing regular pelvic exams, women should also be alert if they experience changes in their monthly cycle. It is usually characterized by unusual menstrual symptoms in several cycles, which is one of the hallmarks of ovarian cysts.
If you experience symptoms that suggest a cyst on the ovaries, then it’s a good idea to visit a doctor for an examination immediately. This action should be taken if you experience more serious symptoms such as sudden severe abdominal or pelvic pain, fever, and vomiting. It can also prevent ovarian cysts from turning more malignant.
For women, it is very important to maintain the health of their reproductive organs. This is to avoid problems with the reproductive organs, including cysts on the ovaries. Although most cysts of this type are harmless, serious action is needed to overcome them if they enlarge in size and even burst.
That’s an interesting and important review about ovarian cysts that you need to know. Most women usually do not realize that there are cysts in their ovaries. This is because ovarian cysts do not show significant symptoms. However, this disease should not be underestimated. The way to prevent this is always to maintain a healthy diet and check with the doctor regularly to find out whether there are cysts in the ovaries. This also affects women’s fertility, so it should not be underestimated.