A cyst on an ovary is basically a sac of excessive fluid in or around the ovary. They are normally benign meaning they aren’t cancerous and are a very common gynecological problem. There are several different types of ovarian cysts and knowing a little more about them helps you understand what is going on in your body as well as how to treat them.
The most common type of ovarian cyst is the functional cyst. There are three types of functional cysts. The first is the follicular cyst. The ovary creates a follicle that holds the egg during menstruation. When it’s time, the ovary tears open to allow the follicle out to release the egg. The ovary immediately starts to heal itself.
During the healing process, fluid buildup can take place causing a cyst to form within the ovary itself. Follicular cysts rarely cause pain and usually clear up on their own within two to three months.
Another type of functional cyst is called a corpus luteum cyst. When the follicle, as mentioned above, releases the egg and ruptures, it produces estrogen and progesterone and now becomes what’s called a corpus lutem. The cyst occurs when the egg is released.
Too much fluid enters the corpus lutem and forms a cyst just like the follicular cyst. But unlike the follicular cyst, the corpus lutem cyst can grow up to four inches and can cause moderate to severe pain. These cysts last up to three months.
The third type of functional cyst is called a hemorrhagic cyst, or a blood cyst. This cyst forms when a blood vessel bursts and fills an already existing cyst. Right-sided abdominal pain is the most common symptom if the cyst ruptures. These occasionally need surgery but most often bed rest for several days is recommended to allow the ruptured cyst to dissipate.
Other, less common cysts are Endometrioid cysts, which form as a result of endometriosis, a condition that causes scarring of the uterus from excess blood and tissue during menstruation. This bloody tissue can fall off the uterine wall and into the ovary. As the blood builds up over time, it turns a brownish color. As a result, these are sometimes called chocolate cysts.
When an ovary is abnormally large and has several small cysts attached to the outside, it is known as a polycystic ovary. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome occurs in as many as 7% of women of childbearing age and can increase the risks of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome most often cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound alone and may require surgery.
Ovarian cysts can be painful and cause further problems such as irregular bleeding, pain, fatigue, and weight gain to name a few. Treatment is often just waiting it out. But knowing more about the different types of ovarian cysts can help a woman better understand what’s going on inside her body and what if anything she can do about them.
