Ovarian cysts

introduction

If you have a cyst on the ovary (Ovarian cyst) it is a mostly harmless change that occurs in the ovary (Ovaries) can develop itself or on the ovary. The shape, size, and consistency of the cyst can vary widely. Some cysts on the ovary are only a few millimeters in size and usually do not cause any problems for the patient at all. Other patients, on the other hand, complain of cysts several centimeters in size, which can sometimes lead to severe pain, especially in the abdomen. In general, most cysts, no matter how big or small, are harmless, so the cyst on the ovary is not dangerous. However, there are also changes in the area of ​​the ovary which indicate a malignant (malignant) Indicate change.

causes

There are various causeswhich is why a cyst can form in the ovary. A common cause of ovarian cyst formation is one hormonal change. It happens in sexually mature patients during the monthly cycle again and again to hormonal changes. These hormonal changes can cause a Cyst on the ovary grows. But more common is one hormonal disorder the cause of a cyst on the ovary. This cyst is known as the functional cyst since they due to hormone imbalances arises. Also in a row Hormone therapysuch as the Taking the birth control pill, a patient may develop a cyst on the ovary.

However, it can also be the cause of the cyst on the ovary hormonal change during puberty or during menopause (menopause) it is a possibility. Since this leads to strong hormonal fluctuations in which the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone imbalanced stand to each other, this imbalance can be seen as the cause of the formation of a cyst on the ovary. In addition to a hormonal imbalance or a hormonal shift, there are also other causes that favor the development of a cyst in the ovary.

On the one hand, it may be that the cracked egg cell the woman remains in the ovary. This then leads to a so-called Follicular cyst, which partly also releases female sex hormones such as estrogens or progesterone itself. By a Hormone treatment (usually through the pill) it can become so-called Lutein cysts come. These are cysts that usually occur in both ovaries (ovaries) and almost always harmless are. If a patient stops this hormone treatment, the cysts will also regress.

Only rarely is it a so-called polycystic ovarian syndrome, which sometimes leads to Lead to infertility of the patient can. So-called Endometrial cysts. These are cysts, which are filled with blood and from the uterus (uterus) go out. However, these only arise if the patient has a so-called Endometriosis is present, i.e. a scattering of tissue from the uterus into the ovaries. A extremely rare cause for the formation of a cyst on the ovary is one increased secretion from the glandswhich are located on the ovary. This shape is known as Retention cyst.

Another form that occurs rarely is the so-called Dermoid cyst. This is a cyst on the ovary that is mainly in young patients occurs frequently and mostly benign is. However, the cyst may if they do remains vicious for a long time becomes. In this case, the cyst on the ovary can be dangerous for the patient as a tumor can develop here. However, it only occurs at around 1.5% of all patients having a dermoid cyst will cause the cyst to become cancerous and become a Cancer develops.

diagnosis

Diagnosing a cyst on the ovary is for one Specialist in gynecology (Gynecologist) mostly not difficult. First of all, it is important that the patient see their doctor lists all symptomswhich she has noticed in the past few weeks. Frequently however, it is the case that the patients do not even notice the cyst on the ovary and that during a routine examination at the gynecologist by ultrasound (Sonography) the cyst discovered becomes. Generally speaking, the ultrasound is that best way to get a cyst on the ovary too diagnose. With the help of some gel that is placed on the patient's lower abdomen, the doctor can use a small transducer to assess the exact structure of the female genital organs and can thus also precisely identify small changes, such as a small cyst on the ovary. To see exactly if it's a Hormone-producing cyst or whether there are hormonal imbalances, the patient can additional blood drawn become. Must only in rare cases the cyst is removed by surgery be and then for further investigation at one Tissue specialists (Pathologists) to get redirected. For most patients, however, an ultrasound is sufficient to diagnose the cyst on the ovary.

Frequency distribution

Especially with Patients in puberty or menopause or else during hormone therapy cysts can develop in the ovary. Nevertheless, it is in 98% of the cases around a benign change and not a dangerous cyst in the ovary which could become malignant.

Symptoms

It occurs when there is a cyst in the ovary often with few or no symptoms. However, some women do find that they increased pimples (acne) get or that yours Facial features become a little more masculine or that Breast growth decreases. For example, these symptoms occur in one polycystic ovarian syndrome on. It is often the case, however, that the patients no symptoms and that they do not notice that they have a cyst on their ovaries. In some cases it can due to the cyst however too Menstrual cycle disorders come. That means some patients increases her monthly bleeding and bleed, for example, every two weeks or repeatedly Intermenstrual bleeding or Spotting to have. In this case one speaks of a so-called Hypermenorrhea.

However, it also happens that patients have no symptoms other than that due to a cyst on the ovary Missing your period (Amenorrhea). In both cases it is often the case that the patient see a gynecologist (Gynecologist) and this only determines that the patient has a cyst on the ovary. The cyst is rarely accompanied by other symptoms. At Hormone-producing cysts However, it can happen that the patient notices that her Breast growth increases or that you The complexion of the skin changes. However, this is only the case if the cyst produces female sex hormones (for example, the corpus luteum cyst, which produces progesterone). Symptoms such as pain are rare with a cyst on the ovary, but the patient may have Abdominal pain (also lower abdominal pain) suffers.

Pain

A cyst on the ovary only results rarely to pain. Some women find that they do during intercourse again and again Pain to have. This can be because the cyst is on the ovary when it has one reached a certain size has, through sexual intercourse postponed or is irritated by the minimal displacement of the female genital organs. That too Burst of the cyst on the ovary can lead to pain at times started very suddenly can. Generally, a cyst on the ovary can also become Pain in the lower abdomen lead, although this is rarely the case and especially patients with a polycystic ovarian syndrome concerns.

pregnancy

During the pregnancy a cyst can develop on the ovary. This cyst is often one Corpus luteum cystwhich that female sex hormone produces progesterone. Since this hormone is urgently needed during pregnancy for the Maintain pregnancy, it is important that this Cyst not removed during pregnancy becomes. Even after pregnancy, due to hormonal fluctuations, a cyst can develop on the patient's ovary. This can if she Causes pain or menstrual problems carries with it, too away become.

Does it happen during pregnancy that the Patient discovered a cyst on her ovaryso should this not removed if possible otherwise it becomes a Damage to the baby can come. In a few cases it occurs with the so-called polycystic ovarian syndrome to the fact that the patient through the multiple (multiple) Cysts on the ovary cannot get pregnant. However, this is only very rarely the case with a "normal" cyst on the ovary. Nevertheless, a patient who wishes to conceive should have the Clarify the cyst on the ovary to make sure the cyst won't cause any problems before or during pregnancy.

Desire for children

Cherishes a patient Despite the cyst on the ovary, I wanted to have children, so it is very important to see a gynecologist beforehand Clarify cyst carefully allow. In most cases, despite a cyst on the ovary, a patient can meet her desire to have children without any problems, but it is possible that the Pregnancy affected by the cyst becomes. For example, if a cyst produces hormones, those hormones may prevent the patient from becoming pregnant.

It may be the patient due to polycystic ovarian syndrome can't have children. Often times, patients come with one unfulfilled desire to have children to their gynecologist and then discover that a cyst in the ovary is seriously affecting the desire to have children. In this case it is makes senseto get this Have the cyst removed because it often works after removal of the cystthat the patient can become pregnant. Nevertheless, it works for some patients despite a cyst on the ovary, so that they can become pregnant without any problems. Whether a patient can and should pursue her desire to have children despite a cyst on the ovary, depends on the location and size of the cyst, in addition, it is important to know what type of cyst it is. It is very important to have one before you become pregnant if possible Gynecologist to seek out and get away from this to get individual advice.

Further information can be found on our website Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Unfulfilled desire to have children.

distance

Treatment for a cyst on the ovary depends entirely on the particular one Location, type and size of the cyst from. The most Despite a cyst on the ovary, patients need it at all no treatment. For some cysts, such as the Corpus luteum cyst, it happens that this regress spontaneously and without treatment and thus also not treated should be. Nevertheless, a patient can be considered a symptomatic treatment so-called Antispasmodics take in. These are drugs that the patient take for abdominal pain can and which then help that Cramps in the abdomentriggered by the cyst to minimize.

In rare cases, such as at severe pain or at Risk of rupture, the cyst should be on the ovary away become. To remove a cyst on the ovary is a routine procedure for gynecologiststhat the patient should not be afraid of. This is usually done with a so-called minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure the cyst is removed in a small operation and the patient can often leave the clinic after a day or two. Still, a patient has a cyst on her ovary remove only let go if by this Problems or pain Has.

prophylaxis

If a patient suffers from recurring cysts, the pill help the patient not to develop cysts. Because the pill denies Inhibits ovulation (Ovulation inhibitors) it can do that Cyst growth frequently prevent.

Is a cyst on the ovary dangerous?

There is a cyst on the ovary mostly not dangerous. It is usually a small cyst that clears up after a short time often regresses on its own unnoticed. However, it can also happen that a Ovarian cyst becomes dangerous. This is the case, for example, if the cyst is on the ovary bursts and the Fluid from the cyst passes into the abdomen and there for one Peritonitis cares. One then speaks of one Peritonitiswhich then set in too strongly and quite quickly and suddenly Pain leads. In this case it is essential see a doctor as soon as possible so that the inflammation cannot spread.

Furthermore, a cyst on the ovary can then getting dangerousif there is one Rotation of the cyst occurs (twisted ovarian cyst), when then leads to the Pinched blood vessels be and the Ovaries no longer have blood and thus no longer with Supply nutrients can. In this case, too, the patient reports about sudden painbut which are so strong that the patient has difficulty walking. Since it is through the lack of blood supply can lead to the patient's ovary dies (necrotic) it is extremely important drive to a hospital as quickly as possible or to call the emergency doctor so that the patient can be operated on as quickly as possible.

A rotation of the cyst on the ovary is so dangerous because it causes the Death of the ovary it can happen that in the worst case the patient has one loses her ovaries and thus only diminished or not at all anymore is able to have children. Aside from those possible scenarios where a Cyst on the ovary dangerous however, it is general rarely the casethat a cyst on the ovary becomes dangerous or leads to major complications.