What is an Ovarian Cyst?
Ovarian cysts are sacs containing fluid that can form inside or on the surface of the ovary. Ovarian cysts can occur in women of any age. While some ovarian cysts cause symptoms such as pain, pain or pressure in the pelvic region in patients, no symptoms are seen in other patients. Irregularities in menstrual periods are not usually related to ovarian cysts.
Most ovarian cysts are not cancerous and do not need to be surgically removed. The size of the cysts may be less than one centimeter, and in some cases even larger than 10 centimeters.
Ovarian Cyst Symptoms
While ovarian cysts can cause symptoms, they do not show any symptoms in some cases. Women with symptoms from ovarian cysts typically feel pain or pressure in the lower abdomen on the side of the cyst. This pain may be dull or sharp; It can go on continuously or come and go. Cramping lower abdominal pain is not usually related to ovarian cysts. If an ovarian cyst ruptures, a person may experience a sudden sharp pain that can be severe. During torsion (twisting) of an ovary, women may experience pain along with nausea and vomiting. Abnormal menstrual periods or vaginal bleeding are not usually related to ovarian cysts.
Treatment in Ovarian Cysts
Depending on the imaging test results, your age, symptoms, blood test results, and family history, your doctor may recommend observation or surgery without treatment.
Ovarian cysts do not always require treatment. In premenopausal women, ovarian cysts usually resolve on their own within one to two months without treatment. In postmenopausal women, however, ovarian cysts are less likely to resolve without treatment.
If a cyst is large, causes pain, or appears suspicious for cancer, treatment usually requires surgery to remove the cyst or the entire ovary.
