Polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS) is a fluid-filled sac that forms in or around one of the ovaries. Most cysts do not cause any symptoms and go away on their own without treatment. However, large cysts can cause symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence. They usually occur when the ovaries produce eggs during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Symptoms of ovarian cysts
Normally, ovarian cysts do not cause illness or may cause only minor and harmless symptoms. However, if the cyst ruptures, it can cause serious symptoms. In cases where the cyst is large, the patient may also have the following symptoms:
- A stabbing or dull pain in the lower abdomen on the side where the ovarian cyst is located. The pain may come and go.
- Lower abdominal painbefore or during menstruation. Irregular menstruation .
- Constipation, flatulence, bloating, burping, feeling full quickly
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lower back and thigh pain
- Pain during intercourse
- Breast pain
However, if severe symptoms are found, which often indicate a ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion, patients should see a doctor immediately, such as sudden severe abdominal pain or lower abdominal pain, abdominal pain with fever or vomiting, fever, peeling skin, rapid breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, etc.
Causes of ovarian cysts
Polycystic ovaries are usually caused by ovulation during the menstrual cycle and are related to the hormonal changes during ovulation. They are divided into 2 types:
Follicular Cyst
During a woman’s menstrual cycle, an egg develops in a cyst inside an ovary. Normally, the cyst will rupture and release the egg. However, if the cyst does not rupture, it will remain in the ovary.
Corpus luteum cyst
Normally, the cyst shrinks after the egg is released. However, if the cyst does not rupture and dissolves, fluid will accumulate inside the cyst, forming a corpus luteum cyst. This type of cyst will disappear on its own and is not harmful to the patient.
In addition, ovarian cysts can occur due to health problems or risk factors, such as:
- There are cysts that are not caused by menstruation, such as dermoid cysts, which are formed from embryonic stem cells and may contain hair, skin or teeth. These cysts have a low chance of becoming cancerous. There is also a cystadenoma, which occurs in the tissues of the ovaries and may contain fluid or mucus.
- Hormonal problems, hormonal imbalances in the body, including the use of drugs that stimulate hormones to ovulate, such as clomiphene.
- Endometriosis is acondition in which endometrial cells grow outside the uterus . The tissue attaches to the ovaries and forms cysts .
- Previous ovarian cysts. Patients who have had ovarian cysts in the past are more likely to experience this condition again.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS) is a condition in which the ovaries have many small cysts that affect the ovaries and can cause problems in getting pregnant.
- Severe pelvic infection. An infection in this area can spread to the ovaries and fallopian tubes, causing cysts to form.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy can be another factor that can cause ovarian cysts. Normally, ovarian cysts form to help with the early stages of pregnancy until the body forms a placenta. However, sometimes the cysts may remain in the ovaries.
Diagnosis
Initially, the doctor may diagnose ovarian cysts by performing an internal examination, using an examination tool to help expand the vagina so that the doctor can feel for any lumps or abnormalities in the vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries. If the patient is found to have ovarian cysts, the doctor will monitor the symptoms and plan the appropriate treatment for that type of cyst.
In addition, doctors may diagnose using the following methods:
- Ultrasound is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture images of internal organs. This procedure allows the doctor to determine the shape, size, and characteristics of the cyst, as well as the area where the cyst has formed.
- Using a pregnancytest kit can help patients know if they are pregnant, as pregnancy can be a cause of polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Blood test is a test for hormone levels in the bloodstream to find abnormalities of hormones related to the formation of cysts such as estrogen and progesterone. It also tests for the amount of ovarian cancermarkers (Cancer Antigen 125: CA-125) in the blood of postmenopausal women. Patients with ovarian cancer will have high levels of this. In addition, premenopausal women with other illnesses may also have higher levels of ovarian cancer markers.
Treatment of ovarian cysts
Usually, ovarian cysts will go away on their own without treatment. Your doctor may repeat the checkup in 1 to 3 months to see if the cyst has gotten smaller or disappeared. If the ovarian cyst does not go away on its own, your doctor may consider appropriate treatment, such as:
Drug use
If a patient has frequent cysts, the doctor may prescribe birth control pills or hormones to suppress ovulation and reduce the chance of recurrence.
Laparoscopic surgery
The doctor will make a small incision above or below the navel to look inside the pelvis and remove the cyst. This method is used to treat small, noncancerous cysts.
Open abdominal surgery
In cases where the cyst is large and may become cancerous, the doctor will choose this treatment method. This involves opening the abdomen and removing the cyst. If the cyst is at risk of becoming cancerous, the patient may also need to see a gynecological oncologist.
Complications of ovarian cysts
Most ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms and go away on their own without treatment. However, rare ovarian cysts can cause complications, such as:
- Ovarian torsion is a condition in which a cyst enlarges and twists the ovary, or the cyst pushes the ovary out of its original position. Patients may experience sudden onset of severe lower abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, this condition may cause the blood supply to the ovaries to stop. If left untreated, it can cause problems with the ovarian tissue.
- Polycystic ovary ruptures. If an ovarian cyst ruptures, it can cause severe pain and internal bleeding. Larger cysts are more likely to rupture than smaller cysts. This condition increases the risk of infection and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
- Ovarian cancer is very rare and may occur in postmenopausal women. Your doctor may detect ovarian cancer during a routine pelvic exam.
Prevention of ovarian cysts
Since there is no way to prevent ovarian cysts, the only way to prevent or reduce the risk of recurrence is to prevent them. Doctors may prescribe hormones to suppress ovulation for women who have frequent ovarian cysts. Women should also have regular pelvic exams so that the doctor can observe any changes in both ovaries. This will allow the doctor to make a diagnosis and plan treatment quickly if any symptoms are detected.
In addition, if the patient is concerned or notices any changes such as abnormal symptoms during menstruation, continuous lower abdominal pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, bloating, etc., they should see a doctor to discuss their symptoms.
