An ovarian cyst is a sac filled with fluid that forms on or inside of an ovary.
This article is about cysts that form during your monthly menstrual cycle, called functional cysts. Functional cysts are not the same as cysts caused by cancer or other diseases.
For more information about other causes of cysts on or near the ovaries, see also:
Alternative NamesPhysiologic ovarian cysts; Functional ovarian cysts; Corpus luteum cysts; Follicular cysts
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsEach month during your menstrual cycle, a follicle (where the egg is developing) grows on your ovary. Most months, an egg is released from this follicle (called ovulation). If the follicle fails to break open and release an egg, the fluid stays in the follicle and forms a cyst.This is called a follicular cyst.
Another type of cyst, called a corpus luteum cyst, occurs after an egg has been released from a follicle. These often contain a small amount of blood.
Ovarian cysts are somewhat common, and are more common during a woman's childbearing years (from puberty to menopause). Ovarian cysts are less common after menopause.
No known risk factors have been found.
Functional ovarian cysts are not the same as ovarian tumors (including ovarian cancer) or cysts due to hormone-related conditions such as polycystic ovary disease.
Taking fertility drugs can cause a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation, in which multiple large cysts are formed on the ovaries. These usually go away after a woman's period, or after a pregnancy.
SymptomsOvarian cysts often cause no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they are typically pain or a late period.
An ovarian cyst is more likely to cause pain if it:
Symptoms of ovarian cysts can include:
Changes in menstrual periods are not common with follicular cysts, and are more common with corpus luteum cysts. Spotting or bleeding may occur with some cysts.
Signs and testsYour health care provider may discover a cyst during a physical exam, or when you have an ultrasound test for another reason.
Ultrasound is done on many patients to diagnose a cyst. Your doctor may want to check you again in 4 - 6 weeks to make sure it is gone.
Other imaging tests that may be done when needed include:
Your health care provider may be able to feel the ovarian cyst during a pelvic exam.
The doctor may order the following blood tests:
Functional ovarian cysts usually don't need treatment. They usually disappear within 8 - 12 weeks without treatment.
Birth Control pills (oral contraceptives) may be prescribed for 4 - 6 weeks. Longer-term use may decrease the development of new ovarian cysts. Birth control pills do not decrease the size of current cysts, which often will go away on their own.
Surgery to remove the cyst or ovary may be needed to make sure there are no cancer cells. Surgery is more likely to be needed for:
Types of surgery for ovarian cysts include:
The doctor may recommend other treatments if a disorder, such as polycystic ovary disease, is causing the ovarian cysts.
Expectations (prognosis)Cysts in women who are still having periods are more likely to go away. There is a higher risk of cancer in women who are postmenopausal.
ComplicationsComplications have to do with the condition causing the cysts. Complications can occur with cysts that:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:
Also call for an appointment if the following symptoms have been present on most days for at least 2 weeks:
If you are not trying to get pregnant and you often get functional cysts, you can prevent them by taking hormone medications (such as birth control pills), which prevent follicles from growing.
ReferencesKatz VL. Benign gynecologic lesions: Vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, oviduct, ovary. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2007:chap 18.
An ovarian cyst is a sac filled with fluid that forms on or inside of an ovary.
This article is about cysts that form during your monthly menstrual cycle, called functional cysts. Functional cysts are not the same as cysts caused by cancer or other diseases.
For more information about other causes of cysts on or near the ovaries, see also:
Alternative NamesPhysiologic ovarian cysts; Functional ovarian cysts; Corpus luteum cysts; Follicular cysts
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsEach month during your menstrual cycle, a follicle (where the egg is developing) grows on your ovary. Most months, an egg is released from this follicle (called ovulation). If the follicle fails to break open and release an egg, the fluid stays in the follicle and forms a cyst.This is called a follicular cyst.
Another type of cyst, called a corpus luteum cyst, occurs after an egg has been released from a follicle. These often contain a small amount of blood.
Ovarian cysts are somewhat common, and are more common during a woman's childbearing years (from puberty to menopause). Ovarian cysts are less common after menopause.
No known risk factors have been found.
Functional ovarian cysts are not the same as ovarian tumors (including ovarian cancer) or cysts due to hormone-related conditions such as polycystic ovary disease.
Taking fertility drugs can cause a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation, in which multiple large cysts are formed on the ovaries. These usually go away after a woman's period, or after a pregnancy.
SymptomsOvarian cysts often cause no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they are typically pain or a late period.
An ovarian cyst is more likely to cause pain if it:
Symptoms of ovarian cysts can include:
Changes in menstrual periods are not common with follicular cysts, and are more common with corpus luteum cysts. Spotting or bleeding may occur with some cysts.
Signs and testsYour health care provider may discover a cyst during a physical exam, or when you have an ultrasound test for another reason.
Ultrasound is done on many patients to diagnose a cyst. Your doctor may want to check you again in 4 - 6 weeks to make sure it is gone.
Other imaging tests that may be done when needed include:
Your health care provider may be able to feel the ovarian cyst during a pelvic exam.
The doctor may order the following blood tests:
Functional ovarian cysts usually don't need treatment. They usually disappear within 8 - 12 weeks without treatment.
Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) may be prescribed for 4 - 6 weeks. Longer term use may decrease the development of new ovarian cysts. Birth control pills do not decrease the size of current cysts, which often will go away on their own.
Surgery to remove the cyst or ovary may be needed to make sure there are no cancer cells. Surgery is more likely to be needed for:
Types of surgery for ovarian cysts include:
The doctor may recommend other treatments if a disorder, such as polycystic ovary disease, is causing the ovarian cysts.
Expectations (prognosis)Cysts in women who are still having periods are more likely to go away. There is a higher risk of cancer in women who are postmenopausal.
ComplicationsComplications have to do with the condition causing the cysts. Complications can occur with cysts that:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:
Also call for an appointment if the following symptoms have been present on most days for at least 2 weeks:
If you are not trying to get pregnant and you often get functional cysts, you can prevent them by taking hormone medications (such as birth control pills), which prevent follicles from growing.
ReferencesKatz VL. Benign gynecologic lesions: Vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, oviduct, ovary. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 18.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 03/30/2010
Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
No. It does not cause ovarian cysts.
Is leukorrhea assoicate with ovarian cysts
Yes. Virginity is irrelevant. Ovarian cysts are not a sexually transmitted disease.
Ovarian cysts don't move. New cysts, however, can form.
Some women using hormonal IUDs may be at increased risk for small ovarian cysts. The copper IUD does not affect the risk of ovarian cysts.
No.
KILL YOU ! Gett check out !
Yes, the ovarian cysts will pose a problem for the ovary. The most common symptom is the pain in the pelvis or abdomen.
The cysts that appear during the regular activity of the ovaries are called functional cysts.
KapalBharti
A woman with PCOS would generally not be having a tubal ligation. Contrary to a previous answer, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (Stein-Leventhal Syndrome), is a rare condition that generally causes women to not have periods and they are usually sterile and may have masculine features. Tubal ligation has no relationship to ovarian cysts. All women form ovarian cysts, that is part of the ovulation process. If the cysts are smaller than 5 cm. in diameter and resolve within one cycle in women under age 30, 99% of the cysts are benign. Some women, if ther are no contraindications, even those who have had tubal ligations will go on birth control pills to prevent ovarian cysts, since oral contraceptives stop women from ovulating and consequently will prevent most ovarian cysts. The last answerer has it all wrong. They are talking about a whole different ailment. Ovarian cysts are very common in women and are usually harmless and resolve on their own. Having a tubal ligation does not prevent nor cause ovarian cysts in any way. So PCOS and ovarian cysts are two totally different problems.
The causes of nonfunctional ovarian cysts are not yet fully understood. Many factors are believed to play a role in the development of cysts, including a woman's general state of health, weight, diet, personal history, and lifestyle.