What is Ovarian Cyst?
Every woman has two ovaries, one on each side and they produce eggs every month and release in a monthly cycle. Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs which appear in an ovary or on its surface. There are different types of ovarian cysts women can have. In a journal of NCBI, it is mentioned that in the USA 18 % women have had ovarian cyst in the last 15-years period and around 7% worldwide.
The Different Types of Ovarian Cysts:
Follicular Cyst
In women’s body eggs grow inside a follicle sac in the ovary during menstrual cycle. Normally the follicle breaks or opens and releases eggs but if the follicle doesn’t open or break then the fluid inside the follicle can form a cyst.
Corpus Luteum Cyst
After releasing eggs the follicle starts shrinking and produces hormones (Progesterone, Estrogen) which are needed for conception. This follicle is called Corpus Luteum. Sometimes the opening of the corpus luteum gets blocked and then inside of it fluid starts building-up which causes cyst in the ovaries.
These two different types of ovarian cysts are called functional cysts. These cysts are harmless and barely cause any pain. Also it disappears on their own just after 2 to 3 menstrual cycles.
Dermoid Cyst
This cyst is also called Teratoma. It forms from the reproductive cells which make eggs in the ovary. It can contain hair, fat and other tissues.
Cystadenoma
This kind of cysts gets developed from the cells on the surface of the ovary and it may contain fluid or mucous. They can grow very large in time.
Endometrioma
It is a condition where tissues can grow inside your uterus or outside of it. This is a common ovarian cyst which is filled with dark brown endometrial fluid or menstrual blood. The other name of this cyst is “chocolate cyst”.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cyst
There are different types of ovarian cysts women can have and usually most of them do not have any symptom however, few symptoms of cysts on your ovaries can be noticed if the cyst is large in size. These symptoms can be sharp pelvic pain, pain during sex, difficulty in emptying your bowels, heavy or irregular periods, frequent urination, blotting and swollen tummy etc. So, if you are suffering from any of these issues then you should consult with your doctor.
Can a Ovarian Cyst Cause Back Pain?
Yes, women with larger cyst may feel lower back pain or abdominal pain and it can vary from person to person.
Can Ovarian Cysts Cause Missed Period?
Ovarian cysts can affect the menstrual cycle. A large ovarian cyst can make you miss your period or you may experience heavy or irregular periods.
Pregnancy and Ovarian Cyst
Ovarian cysts do not cause any problem during pregnancy because most of the ovarian cysts are harmless but if the cyst continues to grow throughout your pregnancy then this might create some problem as this may rupture or twist and which can cause difficulty during pregnancy or childbirth. So if you are pregnant and have an ovarian cyst then it is best to consult with your doctor at the early stage.
Do Ovarian Cysts Affect Fertility?
Ovarian cyst does not affect fertility but if someone is suffering from Endometriosis then it can affect fertility because endometrial tissue can grow into the muscle of the uterus and it can alter the immune system, change the hormonal environment around the eggs and also can damage it. There is one another condition in cyst which can also affect the fertility i.e, PCOS.
When Do Ovarian Cysts Need To Be Removed?
There are different scenarios when your doctor may ask you to go for a surgery to remove the cyst from the ovary. These are:
- If your ovarian cyst grows bigger than 10 centimeter
- If your ovarian cyst causes difficulty in your daily activity
- If your ovarian cyst become cancerous due to infection and other reasons
- If your ovarian cyst ruptures and continues to bleed
- If you experience twisted ovary syndrome
In such cases you should consult with your doctor to remove it surgically. Your doctor will perform an ultrasound to determine whether you need to go for a surgery or not.
When Do Ovarian Cysts Rupture?
Most of the ovarian cysts don’t rupture but the reason is still unknown that why some cysts rupture and some don’t. An ovarian cyst most likely to rupture during heavy exercise or sexual activity.
Signs of Ruptured Ovarian Cyst are:
- Sharp pelvic pain
- Bleeding from vagina
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tenderness in pelvic area
- Weakness
- Fever
What To Do When an Ovarian Cyst Ruptures?
If you are experiencing severe symptoms of ruptured cyst then you need medical treatment immediately. Sudden pelvic or abdominal pain can happen when an ovarian cyst ruptures. That can be managed at home by giving hot compress or over the counter pain killer medicine and proper rest. However, if your pelvic pain troubles you a lot then you should consult with your doctor.
Diagnosis
Ovarian cyst can be diagnosed through pelvic examination or pelvic ultrasound. Depending on the size of the cyst doctors recommend for further tests to determine its type.
Treatment
Treatment of ovarian cyst depends on your age, type and size of the cyst. Only your doctor can tell you that. Treatment for ovarian cyst includes:
Watchful Waiting
If your cyst is small or you have a functional cyst then your doctor may ask you to wait and go through several follow up pelvic examinations to know its status because most of the ovarian cysts go away on their own after a few months.
Medication
Your doctor may recommend some hormonal medicines to prevent further cyst forming.
Surgery
If your cyst is getting larger day by day and causing you pain and it doesn’t look like a functional cyst then your doctor may suggest you remove the cyst surgically. Cysts of larger than 5 cm in size are more likely to require surgical removal.
Doctors remove ovarian cyst by using 2 methods. These are Laparoscopy and Laparotomy. Doctors perform the 2nd method only if your cyst is very large and other concerns are also present there. On the other hand, some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary.
Natural Remedies for Ovarian Cyst
You must be thinking about how to cure ovarian cyst naturally? To be honest there is no home remedy that can completely cure ovarian cysts but there are some remedies that can shrink the size of the cyst and help you to get relieved from pain caused by the ovarian cyst.
Hot Compress
This home remedy for ovarian cyst is quite effective. This can reduce the pain of muscle cramps and abdominal pain caused by the ovarian cyst. Put a hot water bag or a hot water bottle on the pelvic area or lower abdomen area for at least 15 minutes for quick relief from pain.
Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt is high in magnesium sulfate which gives you relief from pain and helps you to relax your muscle and eases cramping. Put the Epsom salt in warm water in the bathtub and stir it to dissolve, then soak your lower body in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this thing at least once a day.
Chamomile Tea
It’s a herbal tea, which helps you to reduce the pain and get relaxed. It also helps to manage irregular periods by stimulating the blood flow in the pelvic area.
Ginger Tea
It is also a herbal option to get relieved from pain or cramps naturally. It also helps to reduce inflammation.
Massage
Massaging in lower back, thighs and buttocks helps to loosen up the tense muscle and reduces pain.
These are the natural ways to get rid of ovarian cyst problems. The good thing about these remedies is they have no side effects and you can try this at your home comfort.
Final Thought
There are many different types of ovarian cysts, however not all of them are harmful. As most of the ovarian cysts are harmless and usually go away on their own hence, you don’t have to worry about it. However, cysts which become infectious in time or don’t go away on their own, require proper treatment and medication. Right treatment at the right time always makes your life better.
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