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The Secret of Ovarian Cysts: Why Do Some Women Silently Have Them?
Ovarian cysts, a mysterious existence surrounding many women, often lurk silently in their bodies. These fluid-filled sacs cause no symptoms in many cases, so many women may not even be aware they exist. Although most cysts are harmless, they pose a potential risk to women's health that has not been fully recognized in the past.
According to research, most women during their reproductive years develop small cysts during their monthly ovulation cycle.
The formation of these ovarian cysts is closely related to a woman’s menstrual cycle. When a woman ovulates, the ovary usually releases an egg. If the egg is not released, a follicular cyst more than 2.5 cm may form. Alternative luteal cysts also form after ovulation and usually resolve on their own during the last week of the menstrual cycle. But if the cyst ruptures, it can cause severe abdominal pain.
Symptoms and complications
Although many ovarian cysts cause no symptoms, when they become large or rupture, some uncomfortable symptoms may occur. Some common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain, especially dull pain during intercourse.
- Irregular periods may include abnormal bleeding or cramping.
- A feeling of abdominal distention or pressure may sometimes be noticeable.
- If the cyst ruptures, severe pain, nausea, and dizziness may occur.
Ovarian torsion and cyst rupture are the most common complications of ovarian cysts, sometimes requiring emergency surgery.
Ovarian torsion is a very painful condition that often results from the rotation of the ovary to which the cyst is attached, causing disruption of blood flow. The condition is more common in women of childbearing age, and the risk increases during pregnancy.
Types of ovarian cysts
There are many types of ovarian cysts, which can be roughly divided into functional cysts and non-functional cysts. Functional cysts are a normal part of the menstrual cycle and the most common include follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts. Non-functional cysts may include chocolate cysts and dermoid cysts caused by endometriosis.
Dermoid cysts are the most common non-functional ovarian cysts in young women, are usually benign and come in a variety of morphologies.
Risk factors for these cysts include reproductive status, irregular menstrual cycles, etc. Using birth control pills may reduce the risk of cysts to some extent, but it will not treat existing cysts.
Diagnosis and examination
Diagnosis of ovarian cysts usually relies on pelvic ultrasound and CT scans. Ultrasound examination is considered the most important imaging method. For simple cysts discovered, especially in women of childbearing age, immediate follow-up testing is usually not required unless the cyst is larger than 5 cm.
Treatment options
Most ovarian cysts do not require any treatment and will disappear naturally within a few months. Treatment usually depends on the size and shape of the cyst and whether it causes pain. Generally speaking, there are several main options:
- Watch and wait: suitable for small cysts that are asymptomatic and have good appearance.
- Symptom management: Painkillers are available for pain caused by cysts.
- Surgical treatment: Involves cases of cyst rupture, ovarian torsion, or suspected cancer.
Most ovarian cysts turn out to be benign; however, once a cyst is diagnosed as cancerous, more radical surgical treatment must be considered.
Some women need to be aware of possible complications after surgery, such as infection or continued bleeding. If the test results show that the cyst is malignant, further surgery may be required to remove the affected ovary and surrounding tissue.
The frequency of ovarian cysts is quite high, especially in women of childbearing age, and their presence is quite common even in the absence of symptoms. However, the risk changes with age, and ovarian cysts may be more dangerous in postmenopausal women.
Facing the common and hidden nature of ovarian cysts, how should women pay better attention to their reproductive health?
