In a female body, there will be a pair of organs in the reproductive system called ovaries, which you can find in the pelvis, each on either sides of the uterus.
Once in a month, during your normal menstrual cycle, a cystic structure known as a follicle forms.
Actually, the follicle produces hormones such as estrogen and progesterone that helps release a mature egg from your ovary through the fallopian tube and finally to the uterus.
In some cases, the follicle persists to grow and turn into what is known as an ovarian cyst. The ovarian cyst is a sac with liquid, solid material or both contained in it, which you can find on the surface of the ovary or inside of it.
Ovarian cysts are quite common in all women who experience regular menstruation. It is found that ovarian cysts are also common in all pre-menopausal women, and up to 14.8% in postmenopausal women.
Mostly, you will not experience any symptoms of ovarian cysts as these are asymptomatic. Thus, you will not aware of the fact that you have a cyst. Most of the times, without any treatment, these ovarian cysts will disappear on its own after one or two menstrual cycles.
Actually, an ovarian cyst can be simple or complex. A simple cyst is a fluid-filled sac. Graafian follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts are functional simple cysts.
However, a complex ovarian cyst consists of both fluid and solid contents. Dermoid cysts, endometriomas and cystadenomas are some of complex types of ovarian cysts.
Graafian follicular cysts:
A type of simple cyst occurs when ovulation doesn’t take place, and a follicle doesn’t break or release its egg instead grows till a cyst forms.
Usually, these cysts exhibit no symptoms and vanish by themselves within a few months. Ultrasound is the primary tool used to diagnose the follicular cyst.
Corpus luteum cyst:
Another type of ovarian cyst occurs after an egg released from a follicle. Thus the follicle becomes a corpus luteum. Usually, this cyst ruptures and disappears once if a pregnancy doesn’t occur. Even this is a fluid-filled cyst and usually causes no symptoms.
Dermoid cysts (teratomas):
A type of complex cysts having a very strange phenomenon with effectively structured sacs filled with pieces of bone, teeth, hair and skin. These are filled with solid structures, which mean they are not, technically, cysts; rather they can become malignant (cancerous).
Endometrial cysts:
This ovarian cyst is a condition where the lining of the womb (endometrium) starts growing in parts of the body other than the womb. These patches forms on the ovaries by creating cysts filled with old blood known as ‘chocolate cysts’.
These patches become encapsulated in a cyst will bleed during your periods. As there is no outlet for the bleeding, the cyst becomes larger. Even small cysts can rupture causing severe pain.
Cystadenoma cysts:
Normally, these ovarian cysts grow from cells on the exterior surface of the ovaries and up to a large size and are sometimes attached to the ovary by a stem. These cysts do not exhibit symptoms, but can twist on their stems and rupture. This can pain you extremely and requires emergency surgery.
Some helpful links to know more about Ovarian Cysts:
The Types of Ovarian Cysts That You Should Know About
Symptoms of an Ovarian Cyst and When They Are Important to Identify
What Are the Causes of Ovarian Cysts?
The Most Common Treatment for Ovarian Cysts
Signs of Ovarian Cysts and the Diagnosis
Symptoms of Ovarian Cyst to Lookout For
Natural Effective Ways To Treat Ovarian Cysts
More resources:
Safer Ways To Green-Up Your Menstrual Cycle
Causes Of Hormonal Imbalance In Women
The Relationship Between Fibroids And Weight Gain
View Comments (27)
my family facing problem of cyst in her overy.
complex
My wife is diagnosed with hemorrhagic cyst in left ovary having size of 34X 33 mms with multiple thin internal septation. Her age is 32 and we are planning for 2nd baby. Is this cyst complex and what is its effect on pregnancy? Please advise.
Dear Vivek,
Your wife is sufferring from 3cms Cyst, which is not that much harmful, if the cyst is more than 5cms large then the doctors recommend surgery. otherwise they recommend Birth control pills or harmone pills, both are not good if you are planning for second baby. 3cms is not that large you can easy remove it by natural methods, you can find more Info here [http://ovariancystinfo.weebly.com/here] or try [here ]
Hi,
My wife (25 yrs, married for 2 years & yet to concieve) has been diagnosed with a cyst in right ovary (2.9cm x 2 cm) with little ovarian tissue peripherally. The report also mentioned of the possibility of its being a follicular one. Right ovary measures : 3.6 cm x 2.4 cm.
Please advise me on the follow ups to be done & possible treatment of the same.
Best regards.
HI,
my daughter of 18 yrs have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst(functional cyst with internal echoes measuring 32.0mms)
plz advice me on to the follow ups and possible treatments
hi,
my daughter is 13 years old she has a cyst in her left ovary measure 2.15x1.56 cm plz advise me
hi,
i have been diagnosed with simple ovarian cysts. i have 2 on my right ovary and 1 on my left ovary. i was diagnosed on may 10,2009 because i went to the emergency room for severe abdominal pain and it was because one of the cysts on my right ovary collapsed and the other two cysts measured about 2 to 2 1/2 cm in size a piece.i went back 6 weeks later for another ultrasound on june 16,2009 and the ultrasound found i had 2 cysts one on each ovary measuring in at 4.1 cm a piece. I had to go back to the doctor on july 17,2009 because i was still bleeding from getting my menstral cycle may 25,2009 and was still bleeding until july,22,2009 and they also found that i have an enlarged uterus of 10 cm they did a biopsy and it came back normal i just don't know what to do at this point i have been having abdominal pain since i gave birth to my second child in august of 2008. I am 26 years old and i just don't know what to do and the doctors tell me they should go away on their own but it have been almost 1 year now and i'm so frustrated with the pain and irregular bleeding what do you think i should do? please comment back i would greatly appreciate it thanks.
Hi
i have recently found there is a chocolate cyst in my right ovary. (size 4.4 X 3.8cm). still i dint get pregnent. I got married 3 year back. Is it harmful for conceiving or it need any surgery? Doctor has recomended me to have Meprate (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Tablet). Is it good for puncturing the cyst? or is it make any problem for conceiving? please reply me soon.....
hi,
i am 26 yr of age, married 2 yrs. back and i am suffering lower abdomen pain since a year. last july i was examined for appendices but no such thing found. April 2009 pain got severe and i got sonography done thrice in 3 days. out of which 2 were of opinion of chocolate cyst of size 28 X 22 X 25 mm and 1 was of follical cyst of 23 X 23 mm. July 2009 i got severe pain and when again sonography with TVS report done, i was operated through laproscopy for right ectopic pregnacny and was said that there is no endometriosis and no adhesions. And cyst was left as it is.
I am having severe pain but was asked to wait. i am also planning to conceive. would like to know from you whether cyst will hamper my conceiveing or can cause problem letter on.i am very much confused. should cyst remain in ovary or should it be removed before planning? Pls. help