Key Facts About Ovarian Cysts: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

As many as 18% of women will have ovarian cysts at some point in their lives. Finding these fluid-filled sacs is both familiar and scary, and it can cause a lot of misunderstanding and worry. You must know the signs, reasons, and treatments to manage this condition effectively.

A lot of women who have stomach pain, bloating, or periods that don’t come on time don’t know that ovarian cysts could be the cause. This lack of clarity can be stressful and exhausting, so it’s important to get the correct information and medical care. If women know what to do and act quickly, they can often successfully treat ovarian cysts, allowing them to live healthy, symptom-free lives. 

Ovarian Cyst Symptoms and Causes

Knowing ovarian cyst symptoms and causes will enable one to locate them early and treat them successfully. 

Abnormal cell reproduction

Ovarian cysts are caused mainly by aberrant cell reproduction, in which cells expand and divide too rapidly. As the body works to eliminate the excess cells, cysts might develop. Though they might not be dangerous, these ovarian cyst symptoms might occasionally develop into malignant cells requiring further medical examination. Regular tracking and medical visits help one detect early-on cell division issues and respond quickly. 

Endometriosis

One of the leading causes of ovarian cysts is abnormal cell reproduction, which means that cells grow and divide too quickly. This can cause cysts to form as the body tries eliminating the extra cells. These growths may not be harmful, but sometimes, they can turn into cancerous cells that need more medical testing. Regular tracking and medical checkups can help recognise these kinds of ovarian cyst symptoms and make it possible to find problems with cell division early on and take action immediately. 

Pelvic inflammatory disease

PID, or pelvic inflammatory disorder, is usually brought on by germs transferred via sexual intercourse. Once this virus reaches the ovaries, cysts will develop there. PID, as the ovarian cyst symptoms, is indicated by pelvic discomfort, fever, and unusual vaginal fluid. Early antibiotic therapy is crucial to prevent long-term issues, including infertility and ongoing pain.  

Bloating

Many women with ovarian cysts claim they feel full or bloated in their stomachs. This one of the ovarian cyst symptoms can feel uncomfortable and lead to observable development. Bloating results from cysts growing large enough to press against other abdominal organs. Usually getting worse as the cyst becomes bigger, this ailment might strike sometimes or all the time. Monitoring variations in your stomach’s size and bloat pattern will enable you to locate and monitor ovarian cysts. 

Irregular menstruation

Ovarian cysts can mess up the normal monthly cycle, which can cause periods to be irregular. Women may bleed more or less, have spotting between periods, or not have their periods at all. These problems with the monthly cycle happen because the cysts can get in the way of the hormones that control them. It is essential to keep track of these ovarian cyst symptoms that manifest as changes in your period and talk to your doctor about them to find the cause and the right medicine for ovarian cyst treatment.

Pelvic pain

One of the most often occurring ovarian cyst symptoms is pelvic discomfort, which could be slightly unpleasant or so severe that it prevents any kind of activity. Usually, this discomfort is just on one side of the hip next to the cyst. It can be constant or come and go, and it could grow worse depending on what you do, like workout or sex. While addressing the underlying cause, over-the-counter painkillers and prescription medicines for ovarian cyst treatment, among other pain management strategies, can help relieve this condition.

Pain during intercourse

The pain women with ovarian cysts experience during sexual activity is known as dyspareunia. This discomfort could be deep in the hip and either intense or dull. Sexual activity can be painful when a cyst brushes up against other areas of the body. If you experience such ovarian cyst symptoms, it’s best to see a doctor and discuss this illness with your spouse to help you manage it and maintain a good sexual connection.

Urinary urgency

Big ovarian cysts can put pressure on the bladder, making you go to the bathroom more often and more quickly. Women may have to go to the bathroom more often or need to go immediately. This tightness in the bladder can be annoying and make it hard to do everyday things. Keeping an eye on your urinary ovarian cyst symptoms and talking to a doctor can help you figure out if an ovarian cyst is the cause and look into the best ways to treat it.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Different approaches to diagnosis and ovarian cyst treatment depend on their size, nature, and symptoms.

Watchful waiting

Doctors sometimes advise cautious waiting, particularly for tiny cysts that function. They monitor the size and development of the cyst throughout this period using routine ultrasounds. Most of the time, these lumps vanish on their own without any assistance. This approach guarantees that any changes are handled immediately and helps prevent unnecessary ovarian cyst treatment.

Medication

Doctors sometimes advise hormonal birth control tablets or other birth control devices to prevent fresh cysts from developing. These medications reduce the risk of developing new cysts and assist in maintaining the monthly cycle regularity. Doctors may also advise painkillers to assist with cyst-related suffering. Ovarian cyst treatment medication helps regulate ovarian cyst symptoms and prevent the recurrence of cysts; it does not eliminate them.

Surgery

If a cyst is large, stays in place over an extended period, or causes a lot of pain, surgery may be necessary. Laparoscopic surgery, a somewhat invasive procedure, is standard to remove cysts while preserving the ovary. Mainly, if they believe they may have cancer, patients with more severe illnesses might require open surgery. Most women recover quickly following surgery and may resume regular activities in a few weeks.

Fertility treatment

Women who have ovarian cysts, making it difficult for them to conceive, might choose to investigate specific reproductive therapies. These procedures consider both the cysts and the underlying reproductive issues. With in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies, women with cysts can still conceive. Dealing with a fertility specialist will enable you to choose the best answer for your particular situation. 

FAQs

1. What are ovarian cysts, and are they common?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or inside the ovaries. They happen to a lot of people, especially women who are trying to have children. Most of them are harmless and go away on their own without any ovarian cyst treatment.

2. Can ovarian cysts lead to complications?

Indeed, ovarian cysts may worsen. They can burst, which is quite unbearable and could lead to internal bleeding. They could also twist and shut off the blood supply to the ovary, compromising it.

3. What foods are bad for cysts?

Foods heavy in processed goods, trans fats, refined sugars and carbs can all aggravate inflammation and chemical problems, aggravating ovarian cysts.