Ovarian cyst

Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS

Introduction

How does it feel if you are 9 months pregnant when you are actually not? Confused right?! Okay, stick with me here. Ovarian cysts are some common growths that develop inside or on your ovaries. So if you develop this cyst, your tummy feels bloated and swollen, and that’s why you look like a pregnant woman.

If you want to eliminate an ovarian cyst, this blog is worth your attention! Before we delve into ovarian cysts treatment, let’s get to know some basics first! Ovarian cyst treatment antibiotics typically do not involve antibiotics unless an infection is present; in such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed alongside other medical interventions.

In This Article

Ovarian cyst– A concern?

As I mentioned before, an Ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops inside or on your ovaries. These usually form during your ovulation. Ovulation occurs each month when the ovary releases an egg. This happens during your menstrual cycle. So, coming back to the point, most ovarian cysts are harmless, causing no symptoms, but few of them cause some serious symptoms when they burst open or twist.

Most kinds of cysts go away without any treatment, but some of them require medical attention and can cause serious complications if you don’t get treated right away.

Types of Ovarian cysts:

Most of them are functional cysts that form in response to your menstrual cycle. These are the most common types of ovarian cysts and are not related to any disease. These cysts indicate that your menstrual cycle is functioning as usual. Functional cysts disappear or shrink gradually without any treatment. Functional cysts are also known as simple cysts.

Other types of ovarian cysts exist that are not related to your menstrual cycle. But you should be cautious and make sure that they don’t cause any further complications. They include:

How common are ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are extremely common, and they occur as long as you have regular periods. They are less common in postmenopausal women, but they are at higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Don’t worry; less than 1% of ovarian cysts are cancerous, and with early diagnosis and the right treatment, you may be able to make it.

What exactly causes an ovarian cyst?

We all know that ovulation is the main culprit, and it is the leading cause of ovarian cysts. Other causes may include:

Abnormal cell reproduction that may cause cysts like dermoids and cystadenomas
Endometriosis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Pregnancy: In early pregnancy, an ovarian cyst develops to support the pregnancy until the placenta forms but sometimes, it stays on the ovary for a longer period and it needs to be removed.
Previous ovarian cysts: if you’ve already developed an ovarian cyst before, you are likely to develop more.

Signs and Symptoms of an ovarian cyst:

Most ovarian cysts cause no symptoms since they are small. But if a cyst causes symptoms, they may include:

When ovarian cysts are large, they cause abdominal discomfort.
Unexplained weight gain
Urge to urinate frequently
Dull ache in your lower back
Pelvic pain
Pain during periods
Unusual vaginal bleeding
Pain during intercourse
Breast tenderness
Difficulty in emptying the bladder
Torsion of an ovary causes pain along with nausea and vomiting

Complications associated with ovarian cysts:

Not all ovarian cysts are harmless; some of them cause serious complications. They may include:

A ruptured ovarian cyst, which is also known as a burst cyst, causes severe pain in the abdomen that may lead to bleeding. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening.
Torsion occurs when the stem of an ovary becomes twisted and happens when a cyst forms on it. It blocks the blood supply to the cyst, causing pain in the lower abdomen.
Some of the cysts are cancerous and gradually develop into ovarian cancer.

How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?

If you experience any symptoms of ovarian cysts, consult a doctor, and a pelvic examination will be carried out to check the swelling of the cyst on your ovary.

The most commonly used imaging test is pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. This provides information on cyst size, location, and other characteristics.
MRI and CT scans are also used but are less common.
If your healthcare provider finds an ovarian cyst in imaging tests, he might order blood tests to determine the nature of the cyst.
Possible blood tests include a pregnancy test, pelvic ultrasound, laparoscopy, and tumor marker test.
CA 125 is a protein present in blood that can go up when a person has ovarian cancer.
CA 125 is also elevated in non-cancerous conditions such as endometriosis, Pelvic inflammatory disease, heart failure, uterine fibroids, and liver and kidney diseases.
So, the CA 125 test is often recommended in postmenopausal women and premenopausal women if you have ovarian cysts.
In premenopausal women, CA125 is recommended if the ovarian cyst is large and suspicious for cancer on ultrasound.

Ovarian cysts treatment:

Simple ovarian cysts treatment depends upon your age, type, and size of the cyst. Your healthcare provider may suggest:

1. Watchful waiting (wait-and-see approach):

Functional/simple ovarian cysts usually resolve without any treatment. If your cyst is functional, your healthcare provider may suggest a wait-and-see approach.
If you have not gone through menopause, watchful waiting involves monitoring of symptoms and repeating pelvic ultrasound after about six weeks.
If the cyst does not grow bigger or resolves on its own during this period, your healthcare provider may suggest you take birth control pills to prevent the development of new ovarian cysts.
If you have been through menopause, the decision of watchful waiting is taken based on the ultrasound and CA125 test results.
If your cyst does not appear to be cancerous, watchful waiting is an option.
Ovarian cysts do not always resolve in patients who have been through menopause.

2. Ovarian cyst treatment antibiotics:

Simple/functional ovarian cysts do not require antibiotics as they go away without any treatment, but they are preferred in case of inflamed/infected cysts. In case of a ruptured ovarian cyst, antibiotics can prevent or fight an infection caused by the bacteria.

3. Surgery:

If the cyst grows bigger or causes any symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to remove the cyst.
The type of surgery depends on size and how it appears on the ultrasound
Surgery may be recommended in the following situations:
1. A cyst causes pain or pressure or may rupture or torsion.
2. Larger cysts
3. Cyst caused by endometriosis
4. Cyst appears suspicious for cancer

4. Oophorectomy:

5. Laparoscopy:

6. Laparotomy:

Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst treatment:

Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst treatment is the same as the simple ovarian cyst treatment. Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts can also go away without any specific treatment and don’t cause any symptoms. If your doctor finds one during the pelvic examination, then he might closely monitor your cyst. But they are common, harmless, and go away within a few months.

The treatment depends on your symptoms, and if the cyst is larger than 10cm, causes pain, bleeds a lot, or causes complications, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the cyst. In some cases, the entire ovary is removed to take the cysts out.

When should I contact a doctor?

Contact your doctor if you experience:

Irregular or painful menstrual periods
Trouble urinating or emptying your bladder
Pain during intercourse
Feeling ill
Persisting pain in your abdomen
Feeling bloated or discomfort in your belly
Breathing rapidly or light-headedness

Conclusion

Ovarian cysts are common, harmless, and get resolved on their own. Most of the cysts go away within a few months without any specific treatment. However, premenopausal women and people with PCOS can have recurring ovarian cysts. If left untreated, it can lead to a decrease in fertility. So, get regular pelvic exams, and if you get treated right away, you can avoid further complications.

If your doctor finds a cyst that is concerning during your pelvic exam, he will suggest some treatment options for you to consider. So, as long as you get an early diagnosis and get ovarian cyst treatment right away, there’s nothing to worry about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ovarian cysts affect my pregnancy?

Ovarian cysts are quite common during pregnancy. They are harmless but ovarian cysts that continue to grow in later stages of pregnancy can rupture or cause problems during childbirth. Your doctor will closely monitor the ovarian cyst during your pregnancy.

How can I prevent ovarian cysts?

You cannot prevent ovarian cysts during ovulation. Your doctor may prescribe some birth control pills if you get ovarian cysts often to stop your ovulation. This will reduce your chances of developing new cysts.