Know All About Ovarian Cysts
Our focus is on women's health.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs within or on the surface of an ovary. They can develop anywhere on the surface of the ovary, but most often, they're found in ovaries and on the uterus lining. Ovarian cysts are quite common, particularly in women of reproductive age. In fact, about half of all women will develop a cyst at least once in their lifetime.
However, it's important to note that ovarian cysts don't always require treatment and most often vanish in a few months. If this happens, your doctor may recommend you come back for another evaluation after 6 months to check if they've gone away entirely.
Suppose you have more than one large ovarian cyst (one that measures 6 cm or larger). In that case, surgery may be recommended as the best option for ovarian cyst treatment because these types of cysts tend to increase and can cause other complications, such as pain and infertility, if left untreated for too long.
This blog will highlight ovarian cyst treatments, their causes, complications, how they form, and how to diagnose them. You will also learn about the best gynaecologist in Bangalore for ovarian cyst treatment.
Types of Ovarian Cysts
There are various kinds of ovarian cysts, each having a different cause.
- Functional cyst: Functional cyst is the most common type of ovarian cyst, which occurs in about half the women who have menstrual periods. It doesn't affect your ability to get pregnant or stay pregnant. You may have several functional cysts at any one time and not realize it because their growth is usually slow and may not even be noticeable on ultrasound exams until they're larger than an inch (2 cm) across.
- Fallopian tube cyst: This small benign tumour grows inside one of your fallopian tubes (the narrow corridors leading from your ovaries to the uterus). Your fallopian tubes are generally closed except during ovulation when they open briefly to let sperm travel into them and fertilize an egg present inside. These cysts are typically between 2-20mm but can grow more than 5-6 cm if left untreated.
- Corpus luteum cysts: Follicle sacs usually disappear once an egg has been released. However, if the sac doesn't break down and the follicle's entrance closes, more fluid may gather inside the sac, which results in a corpus luteum cyst.
Causes of Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are a common, benign condition that affects many women of reproductive age. There are several reasons for an ovarian cyst which depend on their type. However exact cause of ovarian cysts is unknown, but they are caused by a build-up of fluid in the ovary. They can range from small to large and may occur on one or both ovaries. Here are some of the common reasons for ovarian cysts are:
- Birth control pills
- Hormonal imbalance due to poor diet and alcohol intake.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Surgery for endometriosis
- Infections in ovaries and fallopian tubes increase the chances of cysts formation.
- Pelvic Infection
Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cyst symptoms are mentioned below:
- Pain or pressure in the lower abdomen
- Bloating
- Abnormal menstrual cycle
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. If you have ovarian cysts and are not following a healthy diet, you may experience bloating due to excessive calorie intake. Low-fibre foods like white bread, pasta, and rice cause gas to build up in your digestive tract. The same goes for fatty foods, including oils. You should also avoid carbonated beverages as they can cause gas and bloating by increasing stomach acid levels.
- Abdominal swelling or swelling of other pelvic organs, pelvic pain
- A feeling of heaviness in the pelvis (when walking) or lower back (when standing)
How is an Ovarian Cyst Diagnosed?
Ovarian cysts are usually diagnosed based on symptoms and physical examination. However, blood tests and imaging tests are used to confirm the diagnosis of an ovarian cyst. A blood test includes a CA-125 test which measures the level of cancer antigen 125 protein in your blood to detect whether you have ovarian cancer. Imaging tests include ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce a picture of structures inside the body on a monitor screen, while CT scans use X-rays to create cross-sectional images through organs. MRI creates 3D images similar to CT scans but with much less radiation exposure. Laparoscopy is also an option used by doctors if they need more accurate results when diagnosing an ovarian cyst.
Complications with Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts may not be dangerous or cause symptoms but could lead to severe complications. Complications of ovarian cysts include:
- Ovarian torsion
- Ovarian cancer
- Pregnancy complications
You should visit a gynaecologist if you have persistent or severe pain in your abdomen. You should also see a doctor if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever and nausea.
Ovarian Cyst Treatment
The treatment options for ovarian cysts vary, depending on the size and location of your cyst.
Surgery: If you have a small ovarian cyst, your doctor may remove it surgically with laparoscopic surgery. This can be done through several small incisions and requires general anaesthesia. Your surgeon will make sure that all of the tissue that makes up your cyst is removed during surgery to prevent any chance of recurrence or complications, like bleeding or infection.
Hormonal therapy: Hormonal therapy can also treat some types of ovarian cysts in premenopausal women with an imbalance in their sex hormones. It's important to note that hormonal treatment won't work if you have polycystic ovaries (PCOS).
Laser treatment: This type of treatment uses heat from laser beams to destroy a cyst and eliminate pain caused by inflammation or tingling sensations in your abdomen caused by endometriosis-related pelvic adhesions (scar tissue).
Laser therapy has shown effective results in destroying endometrial implants without affecting surrounding healthy tissue. However, results may vary depending on individual factors such as age and body weight, so always discuss options before undergoing any treatment.
Best Gynaecologist in Bangalore for Ovarian Cyst Treatment
A lot of ovarian cysts can be treated without surgery, and the symptoms usually disappear in a few weeks or months. In some cases, you may need to have surgery if the cyst is large or painful. To avoid complications, you must follow up with a gynaecologist and get regular tests done.
If you are facing irregular periods, pelvic pain, or abdominal pain, then consult Dr. Disha Sridhar, one of the best gynaecologists in Bangalore, for Ovarian Cyst treatment. She has expertise in INTEGRATIVE FEMALE GYNAECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY and treats issues related to women's hormones, abnormal periods, fertility, pregnancy, and fibroids.
Call +91 9980182168 / +91 8792201157 now to speak to her!
You can also visit her official website https://www.truhealing.com/ to learn about her or to book an online appointment.
FAQs
- Quick Links
- Fitness
- Fertility
- Faith
- Truhealing Blogs
- Get In Touch
-
NP 404, Shriram Spandhana Challaghatta, Murugeshpalya Bangalore, Karnataka - 560037
- [email protected]
- +91 9980182168 +91 8792201157