They tend to be asymptomatic and usually resolve naturally. However, it is very important to recognize your symptoms in order to treat them in case they could become complicated.
Cysts on the ovaries are a problem that women can suffer, which although in principle do not represent a health hazard, the ideal is to have them monitored by a specialist and treat them in time to prevent a future complication.
This disease usually occurs between puberty and menopause, being rare after menopause.
What are cysts?
An ovarian cyst is a small fluid-filled pouch that forms inside or outside of a woman’s ovary. These occur when the woman is in her ovulation process, during which a small follicle forms in one of her ovaries, which breaks when the egg matures and is ready to be fertilized.
After the egg is released, the small bag or sac dissolves and disappears naturally. But if this does not happen, or if the sac fills up after the egg has been released, it is possible for it to fill with fluid, enlarge, and form cysts.
What are the causes of cysts?
A woman is more at risk of developing ovarian cysts if she suffers from:
- Hormonal problems. These include taking clomiphene (Clomid), a fertility medication that is used to stimulate ovulation.
- Pregnancy. Sometimes the cyst that forms when you ovulate remains in the ovary throughout pregnancy.
- Endometriosis. This condition causes uterine endometrial cells to grow outside the uterus. Some of the tissue can adhere to the ovary and form a lump.
- A serious pelvic infection. If the infection spreads to the ovaries, it can cause cysts to form.
- A previous ovarian cyst. If you had a cyst, you probably have more.
How to detect cysts in the ovaries in time?
Cysts on the ovaries usually have no symptoms that may alarm a woman. However, there are some cases where it can be detected by acute pain in the abdomen when doing certain activities.
When the cyst bleeds or ruptures, it produces severe pain that must be attended to immediately. Another way to detect them is when the woman feels pain before starting her menstrual period or when she has sex.
Other symptoms that can help detect cysts in the ovaries are :
- Pain during defecation
- Abdominal bloating or bloating
- Pelvic pain shortly after the start or end of the menstrual period
- Presence of pain during sexual intercourse or pelvic pain during movement
- Constant and dull pelvic pain
- Sudden, severe pelvic pain, often with nausea and vomiting (may be a sign of twisting or twisting of the ovary in its blood supply or rupture of a cyst with internal bleeding
Although these symptoms can also be felt with other hormonal conditions, the ideal is to consult the specialist to carry out a pelvic exam to confirm that there are cysts in the ovaries.
The doctor, suspecting this problem, can check it by performing an ultrasound or laparoscopy, a CA 125 blood test or a pregnancy test.
How to prevent cysts on the ovaries?
Although there is no specific way to prevent ovarian cysts, getting regular pelvic exams helps ensure that changes in the ovaries are diagnosed as soon as possible. Mayo Clinic recommends paying attention to changes in your monthly cycle, such as unusual menstrual symptoms, especially those that persist for more than a few cycles. Check with your doctor for changes that concern you.
If cysts occur frequently, the doctor will likely recommend contraceptive treatment. Otherwise, there is no formula to avoid this type of cyst, although it is always advisable to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Remember to consult your doctor for any symptoms of an ovarian cyst.