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What exactly are ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled, sac-like structures within an ovary. The term cyst identifies a fluid-filled structure. For this reason, just about all ovarian cysts hold at the least some liquid.

What can cause ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts form for a number of reasons. Probably the most common type is a follicular cyst, which usually results from the growth of a follicle. A follicle is the common fluid-filled sac which contains an egg. Follicular cysts form when the follicle will grow bigger than normal in the menstrual cycle and doesn't open to release the egg. Usually, follicular cysts resolve on their own over the course of days to months. Cysts may contain blood (hemorrhagic or endometrioid cysts) because of injuries or leakage of very small blood vessels into the egg sac. Once in a while, the tissues of the ovary develop abnormally to form some other body tissues for example , hair or teeth. Cysts with these abnormal tissues are called dermoid cysts.

What symptoms are caused by ovarian cysts? What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?

Most cysts will never be noticed and resolve without women ever knowing that they are there. Whenever a cyst causes symptoms, pains within the belly or pelvis are by far the most frequent ovarian cyst symptoms. The pain could be caused from rupture of the cyst, fast development and stretching, bleeding into the cyst, or twisting of the cyst about its blood supply.

How are ovarian cysts recognized?

A lot of cysts are diagnosed by ultrasound examination, which is the best imaging way of discovering ovarian cysts. Ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to produce an image of structures within the body. Ultrasound imaging is pain-free and causes no harm.

Cysts can also be found with other imaging methods, like CAT scan or MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging).

Are ovarian cysts dangerous?

Generally not. The majority of cysts are not cancerous, lead to no problems and eventually disappear altogether. From time to time, however, they cause problems and have to have treatment. Fortunately effective ovarian cyst treatment is readily available.