Women have two ovaries on each side of the uterus and eggs developed and mature there. During monthly cycles, those eggs are released. Cysts, which are sacs commonly filled with fluid, can form inside the ovary or on it. It is a common issue and usually, when a woman has an ovarian cyst they have no symptoms or issues and it is harmless. Here is a look at what symptoms look like when they happen, their causes and how it is treated.

Ovarian cyst symptoms

When a cyst is larger it might cause some signs and the more common symptoms of ovarian cysts are bloating, feeling a pressure or heaviness in the stomach, and having pelvic pain that comes and goes, sometimes a sharp pain and sometimes more of an ache.

Ovarian cyst causes

It is most common that a cyst happens because of your period and these are called functional cysts. There are two types, follicular which begins to form when halfway through the menstrual cycle the follicle does not rupture and release the egg. Then there is the corpus luteum cyst where after the egg is released it shrinks and produces progesterone and estrogen and that opening gets blocked and fluid builds up. Functional cysts are for the most part harmless and go away by themselves within two to three periods.

Ovarian cyst treatment

If you experience pain with vomiting and a fever, signs of shock like fast breathing, being lightheaded, clammy skin or having sudden and severe pelvic or stomach pain then see a doctor right away. Treatment for an ovarian cyst is often not needed. But if a doctor thinks it is then there are really three stages to monitoring a cyst,

1. Watch and wait to see if, in a few months, the cyst resolves itself. This is usually the first thing the doctor suggests especially if it is a small cyst and you have few to no symptoms. This may include having regular tests to track the size and shape of the cyst.
2. There are several medications a doctor might suggest including birth control pills to stop you from ovulating. This can help prevent more cysts from developing. However, this approach does not deal with existing cysts.
3. Ovarian cyst surgery is an option only in certain cases where the cyst is large, or the symptoms are especially difficult for you to manage. It is possible to do it without having to remove the ovary, called a cystectomy. Or if the ovary is removed with a cyst that is an oophorectomy. Nowadays some of the procedures are very minimally invasive called a laparoscopy. However, if there is a concern about cancer or the cyst is especially big then a more invasive, larger, open procedure will be needed. If you have been through the menopause and have cysts developing this can again be because of cancer and needs investigating by a gynecological cancer expert.

Summary

Ovarian cysts are not uncommon and not an immediate thing to be scared about. A lot of women have them and do not even realise it. If you do have symptoms see your doctor.