Ovaries, i.e. the two small organs that are shaped as almonds and are located on both sides of the pelvis are the ones that produce the eggs that are released during the regular menstrual cycles in women. At times, sacs might crop up in the ovaries. These may be small and may contain fluids. These sacs, known as ovarian cysts normally vanish themselves without any necessary treatments. In many instances, the woman might not even come to know about its existence. But there are cases in which the ovarian cyst becomes complex and cause medical problems. In case of a rupture, there can be dire life threatening complications.
Due to problems in the normal production, growth and release of the egg produced in the ovaries, an ovarian cyst may be formed. Estrogen and progesterone hormones are produced by the follicles that grow every month. An excess growth in these follicles leads to the formation of a ovarian cyst. It should be known that the follicles have cyst like structure.
There are two types of functional cysts. A cyst that is follicular in nature is created when there is a failure in the surge of Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The Luteinizing hormone is responsible for the stimulation of the egg that is released from the ovary in the regular menstrual cycle experienced by the women. The follicular cysts are neither painful nor serious and tend to disappear after a few regular cycles on their own.
On the other hand, large volumes of progesterone and estrogen are released by a ruptured ovarian cyst. This happens when the LH stimulates the egg released by the ovaries. This kind of follicle is named as Luteum or White Body. There can be a sealing off of the opening in the follicle created by the egg. The Luteum gets filled with fluids and results in an ovarian cyst. This kind of cyst would generally vanish on this own. Although, there can be instances when it can grow. It can lead to excessive bleeding and can also twist the ovaries. All of the above results in huge amount of abdominal and pelvic pains.
The more dangerous of them, the complex ovarian cyst can be found in very rare occasions. These cysts are composed of both, solids and liquids. Dermoid , Endometrioma and Cystadenomas are the three kinds of complex ovarian cysts that may be formed. The Dermoid Cyst is formed from the ova, i.e. from where the eggs are produced. Since they are non-differentiated, these cells have the capability to develop into any tissue. Tissues of teeth or skin can be found most commonly as a result of dermoid cysts. Even though they do not show malignancy, they can lead to excessive pains due to twisting of the ovaries as a result of inflated size.
The Endometrioma, the second of the kind, results due to endometriosis. In this complexity, the uterine cells grow outside the uterus. This results in the ability of the uterine tissue to attach itself to the woman’s ovary and grow.
The third, i.e. the Cystadenomas develop from the ovarian tissue. These too can lead to the woman feeling immense pain and the twisting of the ovaries. The growth can be around 10 inches in diameter and this kind of cyst is filled with mucous or a watery fluid.
Unlike simple ovarian cysts, the complex ones can come into notice pretty easily. The signs are similar to those of endometriosis or ectopic pregnancy. Pain in the pelvic and abdominal area is also a symptom of this. This pain can reach up to the thighs and the buttocks area. Another symptom is the irregularity in the periods or the menstrual cycle along with pains before and after the periods begins and ends. Sexual intercourse will not be easy for woman due to the pain experienced in the uterus area. Immediate medical help should be taken if there is a sudden increase in the pains experienced in the abdominal cavity. Nausea, breast tenderness, vomiting and heaviness in the abdomen are some of the other symptoms found in many cases.
The various tests that the attending doctor may wish to perform are the manual checks. The results of these manual checks are then confirmed by the pelvic ultrasound. This is more accurate and a more sophisticated test. Pregnancy test, blood test and urine test can also be conducted for further diagnosis. Ectopic pregnancy is checked for by the help of the pregnancy test. CA 125 antigen levels are calibrated by the blood test. A high level of this can be a case of malignancy although there may be possibility that the antigens are produced due to endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease conditions.
It is a must for a woman experiencing the above said symptoms to undergo the required tests and seek medical help with immediate effect. A failure to do so can lead to more complexities and can be fatal.