An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled bag that forms inside or around the ovary, which can cause pain in the pelvic area, delayed menstruation, or difficulty getting pregnant. Generally, the ovarian cyst is benign and disappears after a few months without the need for however, if you have symptoms, you may need medical treatment.
Ovarian cysts are generally not very serious, are common in women age 15 to 35 and can occur several times during life.
The main types of ovarian cysts include
These cysts are filled with fluid, so they are also known as anechoic cysts because they do not reflect the ultrasound used in diagnostic tests. However, the term anechoic is not related to its severity.
The type of cyst can be evaluated by a gynecologist through tests such as ultrasound, laparoscopy, or blood tests. In case of pain, pain relievers such as dipirone may be used, oral contraceptives may be used to suppress ovulation, which usually decreases follicular cysts, which are the most common Place a hot compress in the sore area can also relieve discomfort, but whenever the pain is very severe, you should go to the doctor or emergency room for a new ultrasound to see if there has been any growth or if the cyst has been broken and if surgery is needed.
It is very rare for an ovarian cyst to cause symptoms, but when it is very large, more than 3 cm in diameter, you may experience symptoms such as:
Several tests, such as pelvic palpation, transvaginal ultrasound, CT and MRI, are required to diagnose an ovarian cyst.
The gynecologist may also request a pregnancy test because it provides the HCG beta reference range to rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy, which has the same symptoms, and can even help identify the type of cyst you have.
After identifying the ovarian cyst, the gynecologist may also order blood tests, such as CA 125, the maximum value of which should be 35 mUL, to check if the cyst is malignant and is considered ovarian cancer.
Warning signs that may indicate possible ovarian torsion that requires urgent surgery include:
If you experience these symptoms, you should go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Cysts most likely to break or twist are cysts that measure more than 8 cm. In addition, for a woman who becomes pregnant and has a large cyst, the risk of torsion between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy is higher due to the growth of the uterus because it grows in the ovary, causing a twist.
Having a cyst in the ovary is not always dangerous and is generally expected to decrease in size on its own, without treatment.
However, ovarian cysts can also be treated by taking the appropriate contraceptive pill for each case, and when it causes symptoms or interferes with organ function, surgery to remove the cyst may be recommended without removing the ovary. In more severe cases, where the cyst is very large, shows signs of cancer or torsion of the ovary, the ovary may need to be completely removed.
A cyst in the ovary does not cause infertility, but it can make pregnancy difficult due to hormonal changes that led to the cyst; However, with proper treatment, the cyst tends to decrease or disappear, allowing the body to return to its normal state. hormonal rhythm, facilitating fertilization.
If you have an ovarian cyst and become pregnant, you should consult your obstetrician regularly because the risk of complications such as an ectopic pregnancy is higher.
An ovarian cyst is not usually cancer, being just a benign lesion that can go away on its own or be removed by surgery when it is too large, as there may be a risk of rupture or if it causes significant pain and discomfort. most common in women over the age of 50, being very rare in women under the age of 30.
Cysts that can be cancerous are those large, with a thick septum and a solid area, if your doctor suspects anything you should order CA 125 blood testing as this high value may indicate a carcinogenic injury; However, women with ovarian endometrioma may have a high CA 125 and have no cancer.