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Ovarian Cysts: The Different Types and How to Treat Them

Ovarian cysts are one of the many issues that can affect the reproductive health of women. At least once in her life, a woman will probably feel the pain of a cyst or two. Often women will simply brush this pain off as ovulation - or be in such severe pain she goes to the emergency room wondering if she has appendicitis.

Some women struggle with cysts flaring up on a monthly basis in fact. Some ovarian cysts will go unnoticed to women because they are so small, while others will grow larger and cause a significant amount of pain.

What Types of Cysts Are There?

There are a lot of different types of cysts that can develop on the ovaries during a normal or even abnormal menstrual cycle. Correctly identifying what type of cyst has formed is very important not just to the woman's reproductive health, but to her general health as well. Cysts can form into malignant masses, or be simple fluid filled pockets. Cysts can be identified through an abdominal ultrasound, or an abdominal CT scan.

There are many different types of cysts a woman can suffer from, including:

• Hemorrhagic Cysts
• Corpus Luteum Cysts
• Dermoid Cyst
• Cystadenoma
• Endometrial Cyst
• Graafian Follicle Cysts

Functional Cysts
Three of cysts are classified as "Functional Cysts" which mean they generally develop as part of the menstrual cycle. It doesn't matter whether the cycle lasts 21-100 days, these cysts can develop at any point during the cycle. These functional ovarian cysts cause very little problems other than pain, and the possibility of rupture.

Hemorrhagic Cysts
This is one of the most common types of ovarian cysts. These cysts develop off of the ovaries, and then a small blood vessel will rupture causing the cyst to become larger filling with blood. These cysts are very painful, and will often twist and turn in the abdominal cavity as they grow. While pain can sometimes interfere with day-to-day activities, doctors can prescribe pain medications to help manage the symptoms. If a hemorrhagic cyst does rupture, the pain will increase. However, surgical treatment to remove these cysts is rarely needed.

Corpus Luteum Cyst
These cysts are formed when the egg is released from the ovary - regardless if pregnancy happens or not. Corpus Luteum cysts are prone to rupture while the lining of the uterus is being shed. Sharp stabbing pains, cramping and throbbing in the lower abdomen are the common complaint of pain with this cyst. If pregnancy does happen, these cysts do not endanger the baby but disappear by around the 3rd month of pregnancy. If you do get pregnant and feel any pain in your abdomen, do not assume it is a corpus luteum cyst... please go to your OB/GYN doctor and get checked out.

Graafian Follicle Cysts
Follicular cysts develop very quickly and then shrink back down to size. This is the most common type of ovarian cyst, and where most hemorrhagic cysts originate from. Often these cysts will go unnoticed or will cause very minor pain, sometimes described as a pinprick in the abdomen.

Pathological Cysts
These are the cysts that will most often need to be removed with surgical treatment. Most often these cysts are tumors, and can have growth up to 12 inches if they are left unchecked. Pathological cysts are not part of a woman's normal menstrual cycle. Poly-cystic appearing ovaries generally have one, or more small cysts that cover the ovaries without the woman having polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Dermoid Cyst
If you have watched medical documentaries and seen tumors removed that have teeth, hair, and bones inside, you're seeing a dermoid cyst. They normally can grow up to six inches on the ovary, but can sometimes grow even larger. There are quite a few dangers to having this type of tumor on the ovary even though they are benign. The ovary can become twisted, and the blood flow to it can be compromised, which causes it to become necrotic and develop a severe infection in the abdomen.

Cystadenoma
Another type of ovarian cyst, this one starts from ovarian tissue that is a benign tumor. Cystadenomas can reach incredible sizes of up to twelve inches, and cause an incredible amount of pain. While Dermoid cysts are solid and filled with tissue, these cysts are almost always filled with a mucous type substance.

Endometrial Cysts
Suffering from endometriosis can lead to having the lining of the uterus grow on the outside of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and even ovaries. When the endometrium grows on the ovaries, ovarian cysts will occur and be filled with dark brown blood. They can start out being rather small or can grow to a size of eight inches. These cysts are very painful but many women brush it off as chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis.

Prevention and Treatment of Cysts

While there are several known factors that can increase cystic activity, there are some women who are just prone to having more cysts on a monthly basis than others.

Mirena IUD birth control for example can cause cysts to develop so it is not recommended for people who have had previous cystic activity. Certain hormonal birth contol can actually decrease the amount of cystic activity so some doctors will recommend them.

Rarely do functional cysts need surgical treatment to be removed and doctors will prescribe the use of NSAID pain killers, and sometimes narcotics.

Pathological cysts that are tumors will need to be removed to prevent further growth and damage to reproductive organs. Tests will also need to be run to make sure that they are benign. Reproductive health conditions such as ovarian cysts often do not affect a woman's fertility. While they are painful to deal with, that is the only real complication most women suffer from. Consulting your OB/GYN is the most important thing to do if you think you are suffering from ovarian cysts.

Your doctor can help you with your discomfort and even try to help stop these cysts from forming every month.

 

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