Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The most common ovarian cysts derive from egg follicles and are referred to as functional cysts because they arise during the normal function of the ovary.
Follicular cysts develop from follicles which do not produce an egg and may grow to the size of a large orange. Rupture releases fluid into the pelvis which is irritating to the pelvic lining. Although this can be extremely painful, it is not life-threatening and the pain improves as the fluid is absorbed by the body. A cyst which has already ruptured will not be visible on any imaging test --- ultrasound (even with a vaginal probe), CAT scan, or MRI --- because the cyst itself has collapsed; it's just a deflated balloon. Unruptured cysts can easily be seen on ultrasound, especially if done with a vaginal probe. CAT scans and MRI are usually unnecessary unless another diagnosis is being considered. Larger cysts may cause pressure on the bladder or bowel, and thin walled cysts may rupture while the woman strains to have a bowel movement, due to the increase in pressure inside the abdomen that such straining produces. Cysts may also rupture during an internal pelvic exam. Most women who have follicular cysts that are large enough to cause significant symptoms will not have recurrent problems. Functional cysts can produce hormones that temporarily alter the menstrual cycle. Most small cysts that do not rupture regress in the space of one cycle and are gone, requiring no treatment. Women with recurrent problems can benefit from suppression of ovulation with birth control pills. The product used may have to be a mid dose one; low dose pills may not be as effective. If you think you have a cyst, see your gynecologist before going to the ER. The diagnosis can almost always be made in the office and you will save a ton of money.
Luteal (corpus luteum) cysts form from an egg containing follicle. Every woman who ovulates produces a small cyst at the site of ovulation. Ovulation itself frequently produces a twinge of pain in many women, what is referred to as Mittleschmerz, which just means mid-cycle pain. Contrary to popular belief, ovulation does not routinely alternate from one ovary to the other --- the fastest egg to develop wins the race, regardless of which ovary it is in. Ultrasound, especially vaginal ultrasound, will show the cyst. In fact, this is the way eggs are harvested for in vitro fertilization. Guided by ultrasound, a needle is inserted into the developing follicle prior to rupture and the fluid and egg are suctioned out. Larger luteal cysts can produce more pain when they rupture, and sometimes significant bleeding can occur, sometimes enough to require surgery to stop the bleeding, although that is unusual.
Other types of cysts can be signs of conditions that may require further evaluation. Postmenopausal women by definition do not ovulate, so cysts in this age group require close scrutiny to rule out cystic cancers. There are also benign cystic tumors. Since some of these can get quite large, they need to be removed.
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to uterine lining tissue is growing outside the uterus. In the ovary, this produces endometriomas. These do not spontaneously go away, tend to get larger over time, and may be associated with fertility problems. Ruptured endometriomas may be especially painful. Women with cyclic pelvic pain, pain with sexual relations, and painful menstrual periods may have endometriosis. Confirmation of the diagnosis may be made by visualizing the pelvis through a telescope (laparoscopy), which is a day care procedure. Areas of endometriosis can be removed, including endometriomas. There are also medical treatments for endometriosis, and hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries may be considered in women who no longer desire children.
I invite the poster who recommends naturopathy to provide objective, peer-reviewed studies supporting his/her statements. I personally would not want anyone to treat me based solely on a telephone call, even though a good gynecologist will suspect the diagnosis based on your history. Keep in mind that functional cysts go away all by themselves. That means I could tell you to take anything, eat anything, do anything, and you would get better!
Try going to an experienced Naturopath, all of you. They are the only ones who know how to truly find the underlying cause of your problem and fix it so that your health is restored. Continue on the path you are on and all you'll be offered is drugs to cover up the symptoms or invasive unnecessary surgery.
If you don't have a good Naturopath with experience treating conditons like yours, you can always et up a phone appt with one that is out of your area. That is what I do. If anyone wants the contact info, let me know.
Problem is that insurance doesn't cover it & they are expensive
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
