How do we know if we have an ovarian cyst and its treatment methods?
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form inside or on the surface of the ovary. If a follicle inside the ovary that is larger than 2 cm, it is called an ovarian cyst. Most of these cysts are completely harmless and do not require any treatment. They disappear on their own within a few months
Many women have ovarian cysts without knowing about it. Maybe you have come across many women who complain of menstrual disorders. They don’t know what to do, and of course, in the meantime, even some girls don’t even discuss it with their mothers because they don’t know about the importance of the issue, let alone go to a specialist doctor! In this how we have material about ovarian cysts.
What is an ovarian cyst?
Ovarian cysts are usually benign ovarian masses that are often produced from ovarian tissue and in many cases originate from follicles on the surface of the ovary. In fact, the ovarian cyst consists of bag-like masses that have a wall and some simple liquid is collected inside.
According to experts, these cysts, which are a very common disease of women, are not related to any specific age, but with the onset of reproductive age, the probability of their occurrence increases and they are more common between the ages of 20 and 42. Doctors believe that the primary reason for the appearance of these cysts is ovulation disorder, which can be caused by the ovary itself or non-ovarian, and in these cases, the disease is often cured by drug treatment, but it recurs again when the drug is stopped. Another reason is a lot of prolactin hormone (the hormone that stimulates milk production in the body) for various reasons. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and other hormonal disorders can also cause cysts in this area.
Causes of ovarian cysts
The causes and risk factors of ovarian cysts include the following:
- Cysts can be caused by problems with your hormones. They can also be caused by hormone-based medications that help you ovulate.
- It is normal for ovarian cysts during early pregnancy. It helps to support the pregnancy until it forms.
- Women with endometriosis can develop a type of ovarian cyst called an endometrium. This occurs when endometriosis tissue attaches to the ovary and grows.
- Pelvic infections and severe vaginal infections can spread to the ovaries and cause cysts.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome is the last cause of cysts, which is a disease in which a large number of small cysts form in the ovaries. This disease can cause problems in the functioning of the ovaries and pregnancy.
Different reasons can cause the appearance of these cysts, most of which is due to lack of ovulation, because the follicle that is supposed to create the “egg” and usually on the fourteenth day after the start of the menstrual period, finds a natural rupture and releases the egg. slow, this does not happen in this person, and with the accumulation of water inside, it becomes a cyst. Sometimes several eggs produce several cysts, and this process is repeated, many small cysts are created in the ovaries, which we know as “polycystic” ovaries.
Types of ovarian cysts
There are different types of cysts, but the most common ovarian cysts that are seen are mostly simple cysts and the same cysts that were described. But in some cases, these cysts can be malignant and dangerous, which requires complex medical discussions to explain them. Sometimes, luteinian cysts are formed from the ovarian follicle in the second stage of the monthly cycle, which is called the “luteinian” period, which are also known as “functional” cysts and are not dangerous. These cysts are resolved either by themselves or by simple treatments.
As mentioned, the cysts that have a thin and smooth wall are simple and clear fluid is seen inside them without any extra tissue. These are “functional” cysts and they mostly resolve on their own, so they require special treatment. Does not need. But sometimes these cysts become a little bigger and can produce symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen and disturbances in the patient’s monthly period. Sometimes spotting is seen in these patients, which can be easily treated by using birth control pills and diagnosed with a simple ultrasound.
At the same time, ovaries with multiple cysts (polycystic) are relatively benign, but their treatment is completely different in different patients depending on the patient’s condition, such as weight, whether he is married or not, or whether he wants children or not, and depends on investigations and tests. It requires more detailed and multiple visits to the doctor.
Ovarian cyst symptoms
Most ovarian cysts do not cause symptoms, but if symptoms do occur, they include:
- Feeling of discomfort in the stomach
- Pain during intercourse
- Menstrual irregularity that is sometimes accompanied by heavy bleeding.
- Bleeding after menopause
- Large cysts can cause pressure on the bladder and lead to urinary retention or may lead to repeated urination.
Acute symptoms of ovarian cyst include:
- Sudden abdominal pain
- nausea and vomiting
- Pulse changes
- Weakness
which may be due to internal bleeding.
Sometimes, the symptoms do not become severe with brief peritoneal bleeding, and the symptoms improve with rest in the hospital and do not require surgery.
In rare cases, the cyst produces the hormone estrogen before puberty, which leads to early sexual development. Some ovarian cysts produce male sex hormones that lead to male characteristics such as facial hair growth.
Treatment of ovarian cysts
The three main solutions that most doctors recommend in the treatment of ovarian cysts are:
- Absence of consumption or restriction of consumption of things such as: all kinds of sweets and cakes and cookies, macaroni and pasta, foods to which sugar has been added, sweet industrial juices, soft drinks, white and bran-free breads.
- Increasing the consumption of fruits, increasing the consumption of vegetables such as carrots, peppers, lettuce, cabbage, spinach, etc.
- Taking the anti-diabetic drug glucophage (metformin) before every meal
Prevention of ovarian cysts
There is no prevention without the use of medication for ovarian cysts, only experience has shown that people who use birth control pills are less prone to ovarian cysts, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding, due to inhibition of ovarian activity, ovarian cysts are less frequent. If it is present, it will disappear on its own during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Usually, women who get married late and get pregnant late are more exposed to these cysts, but we cannot absolutely say that they should take birth control pills to prevent these types of cysts because all women find this type of cyst. They don’t, so we recommend that they visit a gynecologist every year for consultation and examination, and whenever they find vague pelvic pain, spotting, or menstrual irregularity. They should consult with a gynecologist and perform an ultrasound in time so that, in the case of a cyst, its type is determined and the treatment is carried out in the correct way. Because most of these cysts will be resolved with drug treatment (using hormones) if diagnosed on time, and surgery is rarely required.
What is oligomenorrhea with polycystic ovaries?
In polycystic ovaries, due to the fact that the endocrinology status of a woman is completely messed up and male hormones are secreted from cystic ovaries without ovulation, hairiness (hirsutism) and severe menstrual disorders are seen (for example, every six months or every three (they have periods up to four months) the person has severe “oligomenorrhea”, as a result, they face difficult pregnancy conditions and they need a doctor’s help.
In addition, people who are not yet married should not be abandoned because hormonal disorders and changes cause complications and can even cause a condition similar to diabetes in patients.
The effect of birth control pills in sterilizing women is not scientific, unless they take pills for a very long time, so that the endometrium becomes very thin, but no source has written that birth control pills make someone sterile forever. It may delay pregnancy for some time, but it does not make it sterile or infertile. Even some women who take the pill, when they stop taking it, experience amenorrhea (stopping periods).
It is recommended that those who take pills, review again before five years and continue taking pills with the opinion of the treating doctor.
Inappropriate exercises for women with ovarian cysts
Women who have ovarian cysts and take medication should avoid jumping and stretching sports, running, swimming, yoga and the like. In fact, anything that puts pressure on the pelvis is prohibited. After the treatment period determined by the doctor, they should visit again to be informed about their complete treatment and if the treatment does not respond and they do not recover, more detailed laboratory tests will be done.
Ovarian cyst surgery
There are 2 main methods for ovarian cyst surgery:
Ovarian cyst removal by method laparoscopy
This surgical method is performed by a light instrument called a laparoscope, which is long and narrow like a telescope. This device is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision, just above or below your navel. With a laparoscopy, your doctor will be able to see your ovaries. Many times, the cyst can be removed through small incisions in the pubic hairline. If the cyst is very small (the size of a plum or smaller) and if it is found to be benign on ultrasound, the doctor may decide to perform a laparoscopy.
Ovarian cyst removal by laparotomy
If the cyst is too large to be removed laparoscopically or if it looks suspicious, the doctor will probably use the laparotomy method. In this surgical procedure, a larger incision is used to remove the cyst. Then, the cyst is tested for cancer. If the cyst is cancerous, it may be necessary to remove the ovary and other tissues, which can include the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or uterus. It is very important to discuss all of these with your doctor before surgery.
Your doctor will discuss the risks of any type of surgery with you. He will talk to you about how long you will be in the hospital and how long it will take to return to your normal activities.
Ovarian cysts and cancer
In the following cases, ovarian cysts can become cancerous and malignant:
1- Occurrence of ovarian cyst during menopause
The possibility of ovarian cyst formation after menopause is very low. Menopause is a stage of life when the period stops. However, if cysts form after menopause, the chances of getting cancer are higher.
2- Pathological ovarian cysts
Sometimes, the creation of these types of cysts is the result of abnormal and excessive growth of a cell, which are known as pathological ovarian cysts. Sometimes pathological ovarian cysts become malignant, which means they have the potential to cause ovarian cancer. People who are menopausal have a higher chance of developing pathological ovarian cysts.
Some conditions, such as endometriosis, cause pathological ovarian cysts. Endometriosis is a disease in which the cells that make up the uterus, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, begin to fall out of the uterus.
3- Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer occurs when ovarian cells begin to grow and multiply in an uncontrolled manner and form a tumor, and if not treated, the tumor cells are transferred to nearby tissues and other parts of the body. .
4- Epithelial ovarian tumor
There are different types of ovarian cancer and it depends on the part of the ovary where the cancer starts. Epithelial ovarian tumor is the most common type of ovarian cancer and starts growing in cells outside the ovary.
When should we see a doctor?
All women should visit a gynecologist once a year and be examined. Especially after the age of 50, when dangerous ovarian problems (cancers) are more common, and from this age, they must be examined carefully every six months. In general, the simplest and cheapest treatment for cysts is contraceptive pills, but the patient should not act arbitrarily, but should be under the supervision of a gynecologist and take the resistant forms seriously. Simple thinking is never allowed in any medical issue, especially regarding the issue of the ovary, which is a key organ and the health, vitality and fertility of a woman is directly related to it. Women should be sensitive and consider it as precious as a diamond gem. Ovarian problems can appear from the fetus inside the mother’s womb until the age of one hundred years, so we must take care of this sensitive organ (which has no replacement) at any stage of life, even in childhood.
Tips and Warnings
- The best egg is related to the age under 24 years, that is, between 20 and 24 years old.
- It seems that the probability of pregnancy in those with benign ovarian cysts is lower than normal people, that’s why doctors recommend people to get pregnant earlier and not to postpone having children until the last reproductive years.
- All dear mothers, if they have a daughter who is obese, has a menstrual disorder, and especially has abnormal extra hair on her body (hirsutism), take these three symptoms seriously and definitely consult a gynecologist. Another important point is to make their daughters understand that they should marry for their health, not for cars, apartments, and villas, because late marriage causes these cysts, uterine fibroids, cesarean births, unsuccessful breastfeeding, endometriosis, etc.
- Ovarian problems can occur from the embryonic period to the end of life, so doctors recommend: All women should visit a gynecologist once a year and girls should be examined once every few years. Especially after the age of 50, when dangerous ovarian problems (cancers) are more common, a person must be carefully examined every 6 months.