Ovarian cysts are the most common tumor, with a prevalence of more than 30% and a malignancy potential of only 2%, usually occurring in women of childbearing age around 20-40 years.
Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid that are present on or on the surface of the ovaries. Generally, cysts appear during women's fertile or menstrual period and are small or large, cystic or solid, benign or malignant. Typically, every woman has two ovaries on the right and left, whose main function is to produce eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone hormones. However, disruption of ovarian function can happen, one of which is a cyst on this ovary.
Types of ovarian cysts
1. Functional cyst
Functional cysts are the most common type in women, are harmless, and disappear within 2-3 menstrual periods. This type of cyst appears when the ovary releases an egg to be fertilized (ovulation). But if the size of the egg increases each month, this functional cyst will form.
Follicle cyst
Normally, the egg is surrounded by a follicle and bursts open during ovulation. A follicular cyst forms when the follicle fails to rupture and the egg cannot be released. The follicle will swell as it fills with fluid and forms a cyst.
Corpus luteal cyst
Follicles that ruptured and managed to release the egg become the corpus luteum and produce fluid. Cysts will form when the hole in the corpus luteum becomes blocked, and fluid builds up. Eventually, the corpus luteum develops into a cyst.
2. Pathological cysts
Pathological cysts can be benign or malignant, but most of the time, these cysts turn out benign. Pathological cysts have nothing to do with the menstrual cycle and appear when abnormal cell growth occurs.
Dermoid cyst
This type of cyst is benign but could become cancerous, arising from embryonic cells present from birth, and will continue to develop throughout the woman's fertile period.
Adenoma cyst
Adenoma cysts can contain fluid or mucus that appears on the surface of the ovary. This type of cyst can become so large that the ovary begins to twist, making blood flow to the ovary decrease or stop.
Endometriomas
These cysts arise from cells in the lining of the womb (endometrium) on the ovaries.
Ovarian cyst causes
1. Hormonal problems
Ovarian cysts can be caused by hormonal problems or medications used to ovulate. Functional cysts will go away on their own without any treatment.
2. Endometriosis
Ovarian cysts can develop in the body of a woman with endometriosis. Endometriosis tissue can attach to and grow on the ovaries. Patients with this cyst will experience pain during intercourse and menstruation.
3. Pregnancy
Cysts usually develop during early pregnancy to aid and support the pregnancy until the placenta is formed. Cysts also sometimes remain in the ovaries until the end of pregnancy; sometimes, it is also necessary to remove them.
4. Severe pelvic infection
A reasonably severe infection in the pelvis spreads to the ovaries and fallopian tubes, which will eventually cause the formation of cysts.
Symptoms of ovarian cysts
Most women do not realize they have cysts because patients will not feel any symptoms if it is still tiny. Usually, the symptoms are felt after the cyst is larger, as the growth of the cyst can block blood flow to the ovary. Common symptoms often felt include the following:
1. Pain
Pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen with different pain levels ranging from mild to severe and can also disappear and reappear. Pain can also be felt when patients have sexual intercourse.
2. Changes in menstruation
Women with ovarian cysts bleed more or less during their periods, and their menstrual cycles may be irregular.
3. Digestive problems
People with ovarian cysts often feel full even though they have just eaten small portions and often experience flatulence. Another symptom is defecating difficulty but frequent urination.
Sources:
Web MD. (2022). Ovarian Cysts [Online] https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/ovarian-cysts
NHS. (2019). Ovarian Cysts [Online] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cyst/
The American College Of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.(2021). Ovarian Cysts [Online] https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/ovarian-cysts
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