Situated in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus, the ovaries belong to the female reproductive system. Having the aspect of an almond, the ovaries are responsible with the production of female hormones and eggs.

The female experiences every month during the menstrual cycle a process called ovulation. In this process, the egg is traveling from the ovary to the uterus, through the fallopian tube. It is also known that the ovaries produce progesterone and estrogen. These are hormones that have a role in regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy and also influence woman’s development of breasts, body hair and body shape.

On the ovary can appear a lot of types of cysts. During the menstrual cycle, there can appear cysts, that are called functional cysts. Woman’s ovaries grow each month little cysts, that have the role of holding the eggs, and when the egg is mature, it will be released from the fluid-filled sac that forms the cyst. Then, the egg travels for fertilization through the fallopian tube and the sac dissolves.

A follicular cyst is a type of a functional cyst, and it appears when the sac continues to grow and doesn’t break open to release the egg. Frequently, this cyst goes away in one up to three months. If, after revealing the egg the cyst doesn’t dissolve and seals off, fluid will build up inside of it. That is called a corpus luteum cyst, and usually disappears after a few weeks without any treatment. It is possible that this cyst will cause pain and will bleed, and it can grow up to four inches. There are some known drugs such as Clomid or Serophene that can raise the risk of developing this type of cysts.

Other types of cysts are endometriomas, which appear when tissue from the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. These cysts can be painful during menstruation or sex, and they look like a form of growth, attached to the ovary. Cystadenomas are cysts that develop from the cells situated on the outer surface of the ovary. They can cause pain, become large, and are often filled with a sticky gel or a watery fluid. Dermoid cysts can form from the cells situated in the ovary that are able to make teeth, hair and other growing tissues, are large and painful. Cysts can form also where there are polycystic ovaries .There, the sac doesn’t break open to release the egg, follicles are growing continuously inside the ovary when the cycle repeats, determining the apparition of cysts.

Very often, women do not know they have a cyst, because they have no symptoms, but sometimes, a cyst may cause weight gain, abnormal bleeding and painful menstrual periods, pain or pressure in the abdomen or during sex, breast tenderness or vomitation. Other symptoms are also sudden severe abdominal pain, faintness, dizziness or rapid breathing. It is very important to go to the doctor as soon as you discover any of these symptoms. Because there are not always symptoms, cysts are discovered by chance, usually during a routine pelvic exam. The doctor will perform an ultrasound control, and so, he will find information about the shape, size and composition of the cyst. The doctor might want to check the hormones level as well, or to take more tests.

Page 1 of 2 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 | Next