Understanding ovarian cysts

DR MAXWELL ADEYEMI

Women have two ovaries on either side on the body, the ovaries are the egg-manufacturing sites that store and release eggs at ovulation. Each ovary is about the size of a walnut. One ovary produces one egg each month, and this process starts a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle.

The egg is enclosed in a sac called a follicle. An egg grows inside the ovary until oestrogen (a hormone), signals the womb (uterus) to prepare itself for the egg. In turn, the lining of the uterus begins to thicken and prepare for implantation of a fertilized egg resulting in pregnancy. This cycle occurs each month and usually ends when the egg is not fertilized. All contents of the uterus are then expelled if the egg is not fertilized. This then flows outside the woman as the menses.

Ovarian cysts are quite common and it is estimated that almost all women would have had an ovarian cyst one or more times in their reproductive years. The good thing however is that most of these cysts, more than 95 per cent are noted to have resolved on their own. They are small fulfilled sacs that develop in a woman’s ovaries.

It is important to note here that ovarian cysts affect women of all ages. Most ovarian cysts are considered functional (or physiologic and normal). Similarly, most ovarian cysts are benign, meaning they are not cancerous, and many disappear on their own in a matter of weeks without treatment. Ovarian cysts occur most often in women in their childbearing years and less in women who have passed their menopause.

Types of ovarian cysts:

Follicular cyst: This type of simple cyst can form when ovulation does not occur or when a mature follicle collapsed on itself. A follicular cyst usually forms at the time of ovulation and can grow to about 4.5cm in diameter. The rupture of this type of cyst can create sharp severe pain on the side of the ovary on which the cyst appears. This sharp pain occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, during ovulation. About 25 per cent of women with this type of cyst experience pain. Commonly, follicular cysts produce no symptoms and disappear by themselves.

Corpus luteum cyst: This type of functional ovarian cyst occurs after an egg has been released from a follicle. After this happens, the follicle becomes what is known as a corpus luteum. If a pregnancy doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum usually breaks down and disappears. It may however get filled with fluid or blood and persist in the ovary. Usually, this cyst is found on only one side and produces no symptoms.

Haemorrhagic cyst: This type of functional cyst occurs when bleeding occurs within a cyst. It can cause abdominal pain on that side of the body.

Dermoid cyst: This is a type of benign tumour, it is an abnormal cyst that usually affects younger women and may grow to 12cm in diameter. A dermoid cyst can contain other type of growths of body tissues such as fat and occasionally bone, hair, and cartilage.

Risk factors for ovarian cyst

The following are possible risk factors for developing ovarian cysts:

• History of previous ovarian cysts

• Irregular menstrual cycles

• Increased upper body fat distribution

• Early menstruation (11 years or younger.)

• Infertility

• Hypothyroidism or hormonal imbalance

• Use of Tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer

Oral contraceptive/birth control pill use decreases the risk of developing ovarian cysts because they prevent the ovaries from producing eggs during ovulation.

Symptoms

Usually ovarian cysts do not produce symptoms and are found during a routine physical exam or are seen by chance on an ultrasound performed for other reasons.

However, the following symptoms may be present:

-Lower abdominal or pelvic pain, which may start and stop and may be severe, sudden, and sharp.

-Irregular menstrual periods.

-Feeling of lower abdominal or pelvic pressure or fullness.

-Long-term pelvic pain during menstrual period that may also be felt in the lower back.

-Pelvic pain after strenuous exercise or sexual intercourse.

-Pain or pressure with urination or bowel movements,

-Nausea and vomiting.

-Vaginal pain or spotty bleeding from the vagina and infertility.

Some prolonged symptoms may be associated with a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome. This is a condition that causes irregular periods and other hormone-related problems, including obesity and infertility. Other symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome include hirsutism (increased growth of body hair) and difficulty losing weight.

If a cyst breaks open, it can cause severe pain and swelling in the abdomen. Often, the cyst reabsorbs on its own.

Diagnosis

The following test may aid in diagnosis of Ovarian cysts.

A pelvic exam: During this exam, the doctor uses an instrument to widen the vagina, which allows the doctor to examine the vagina, cervix and uterus. The doctor also feels the reproductive organs for any lumps or changes.

• Blood tests: These tests are used to measure the levels of certain hormones in the blood.

• Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create images of the body's internal organs. It can be used to detect cysts on the ovaries.

• Laparoscopy: This is a procedure, performed in an operating room, in which the doctor inserts a small device through an incision (cut) in the abdomen. The reproductive organs and pelvic cavity can be viewed using the device. If a cyst is diagnosed at this time, it can be removed.

Treatment

Functional ovarian cysts generally go away without treatment.

Your doctor may give you medications containing hormones (such as birth control pills) to stop ovulation and prevent future cysts from forming. If you do not ovulate, you will not form functional cysts. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove a cyst.

As noted earlier, functional or simple ovarian cysts are the most common type of ovarian cyst. They usually disappear by themselves and seldom require treatment. Growths that become abnormally large or last longer than a few months should be removed or examined to determine if they are a sign of a more serious condition.

Usually, pain caused by ovarian cysts may be treated at home with pain relievers, including ibuprofen, paracetamol, or other prescription pain medicine. Limiting strenuous activity may reduce the risk of cyst rupture or torsion.

Surgical operation as a form of treatment may be through any of the following methods:

Laparoscopic surgery: The surgeon makes small incisions through which a thin scope (laparoscope) can pass into the abdomen. The surgeon identifies the cyst through the scope and may remove the cyst or take a sample from it.

Laparotomy: This is a more invasive surgery in which an incision is made through the abdominal wall in order to remove a cyst.

Surgery for ovarian torsion: An ovarian cyst may twist and cause severe abdominal pain as well as nausea and vomiting. This is an emergency, surgery is necessary to correct it.

Further referral or consultation with your gynaecologist is advised.

Contact Dr Maxwell on 363-1807 or 757-5411.