subject: Ovarian Cyst A Guide [print this page] An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac which forms on the surface of an ovary. These cysts are actually incompletely developed follicles that have not been fertilized, normally disappearing within a couple of menstrual cycles. These cysts are known as "functional cysts", relatively benign cysts which are the result of the release of an egg from the ovary. The vast majority of these cysts often show up as non-cancerous forms, but there are some ovarian cysts that can turn cancerous.
For many women, ovarian cysts do not result in any specific symptoms. Inactive tumors will probably not cause any symptoms. This is certainly the case when the cyst is very small. Sometimes the tumors that generate particular hormones can lead to specific symptoms. Bleeding even after menopause may start for women with a feminizing tumor. Girls with ovarian cysts who are still too young for puberty may start bleeding early and grow breasts and body hair.
An understanding of the symptoms of ovarian cysts that rupture can be very useful in order to choose the correct treatment before complications arise. To staying vigilant, checking a situation and having routine examinations is critical if you have an ovarian cyst condition. It is therefore crucial that you consider these symptoms to be guidelines and not an exact diagnosis of your condition as symptoms will not necessarily follow textbook rules.
Post-menopausal ovarian cysts in common with many other chronic health ailments have no simple cause. For this reason, classical medicine that only focuses on a specific symptom will not be successful in remedying ovarian cysts. Several factors will in fact trigger the formation of an ovarian cyst. Some of these factors are directly responsible for ovarian cysts forming, and others act indirectly to play a secondary part to worsen existing cysts. Although classical medicine may be of use in handling a primary cause, these indirect factors will stay around and be the root of further complications.
Advanced cases of ovarian cysts can pose a greater threat to health with symptoms like light-headedness or dizziness, fatigue, harsh abdominal pain, fever, rapid breathing and/or shortness of breath and so on. Should any of these problems be encountered, it is advisable to consult the doctor without delay. Over the last few decades, medical sciences have advanced tremendously, and be assured that there are excellent treatment options and medication available to cure even the most severe cases of ovarian cysts.
If there is no malignancy, conventional surgery may be possible. This is also an option that permits a patient to keep the ovary. The medical appellation for this is ovarian cystectomy. Surgical techniques should whatever the circumstances minimize any tissue damage. Also to be adhered to is the meticulous control of any bleeding and plans to use adhesion barriers. It is an unfortunate fact that surgical operations on ovaries may bring on the development of "adhesions" causing pain. They may also lead to excessive sensitivity during sexual intercourse, or even cause infertility.
Ovarian cysts can be classified as either follicular cysts or luteinized follicular cysts. They generally dissolve naturally, usually within 2 or 3 months. The two most common types known as functional cysts and are called Follicle cysts and Corpus luteum cysts. Ovarian cysts, which are often benign, may cause you pain, particularly on one side of your pelvis. Most cysts are functional during the reproductive years, meaning they come and go with ovulation.