Throughout life, a woman inevitably faces gynecological problems. One of the most common is an ovarian cyst, the symptoms of which can significantly impair the quality of life. No one is immune from this pathology, but women of childbearing age are at particular risk. What are the causes and symptoms of ovarian cysts in women? How to treat pathology?
What is this?
An ovarian cyst is a cavity filled with fluid that occurs on the organ as a result of some processes. This is a neoplasm, but unlike a tumor, it grows in size due to filling with secretion, and not due to the growth of tissue cells.
According to the nature of fluid accumulation, several types of cysts are distinguished:
- luteal occurs in case of pathological accumulation of fluid in the endocrine gland;
- serous cystosis occurs when a capsule with a gray, yellow or brown liquid appears;
- mucinous cyst most often affects both ovaries at once, it is filled with jelly-likesecret.
Signs and symptoms of an ovarian cyst in women depend on the type of tumor.
What are cysts?
Women of childbearing age are at risk of pathology. In most cases, this is a benign tumor. There are several main types of ovarian cysts, the causes and symptoms of which may vary:
- Follicular is formed in the absence of ovulation - when instead of bursting, the follicle continues to grow and accumulate fluid in itself.
- A paraovarian cyst is a fluid capsule that occurs in the supraovarian epididymis. In the process of growth, it can reach huge sizes (seen in the photo). The symptoms and treatment of a large ovarian cyst are often more severe.
- Cyst of the corpus luteum is characterized by the formation of a yellow follicle and small size. Like a follicular mass, it can come and go suddenly.
- Dermoid neoplasm is congenital. It, unlike other cysts, contains, in addition to fluid, fragments of hair, teeth, bone and cartilage tissue (below is a photo). Symptoms of an ovarian cyst with such filling are similar to any other neoplasm. Most often, it is diagnosed in adolescence at the first visits to the gynecologist.
- Endometrioid is formed as a result of mutation of endometrial cells. As a result, a cavity filled with a dark liquid is formed.
- Mucinous - a cyst divided into several cavities, each of which is filled with a thick liquid similar to mucus.
- Functional occurs as a result of hormonal failure and disappears without a trace during subsequent monthly cycles.
- Hemorrhagic occurs as a result of damage to blood vessels and hemorrhage in the ovary. Requires surgery.
A fluid-filled ovarian mass is a fairly common problem faced by women, with unpleasant signs and symptoms. Treatment of an ovarian cyst in a woman depends on the correct definition of its type.
Symptoms of pathology
Often, cystic neoplasms do not have any visible manifestations. Moreover, they are able to disappear on their own after several monthly cycles after their appearance. However, despite this, some women still experience symptoms of an ovarian cyst:
- Pain in the lower abdomen, having a different character and manifesting itself regardless of the day of the monthly cycle.
- Feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen, which may increase in the evening.
- Pathologically painful menstruation, especially if it passed without discomfort before the appearance of the cyst.
- Failure of the monthly cycle.
- Bleeding from the vagina in the middle of the cycle.
- Nausea, abdominal discomfort after exercise, sex.
- Discomfort while urinating.
- Increase in body temperature to 38 degrees and above.
- Unusually abundantbleeding during menstruation (changing hygiene products more than once every 3 hours).
- Dizziness, feeling of weakness in the body, malaise, as if a cold is starting.
- Failed to conceive for a year.
- Frequent and sudden jumps in blood pressure.
- Rapid weight loss for no apparent reason.
- Frequent feeling of thirst.
In addition, in rare cases, there may be excessive hair growth of the face and chest, which indicates a hormonal failure. All these symptoms of ovarian cysts in women require an immediate visit to a gynecologist, who will find out their cause and prescribe the right therapy.
Why does a neoplasm appear?
Does treatment depend on the causes and symptoms of an ovarian cyst? Definitely yes! Modern medicine, unfortunately, does not give an unambiguous answer why exactly it can form. At the same time, there are a number of prerequisites that can provoke the development of cystic formation:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease, especially those that have not been fully treated.
- Various infectious diseases, including those that are sexually transmitted.
- Early puberty, onset of menses before age 11.
- Obesity of any degree.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Surgical intervention to terminate pregnancy or induced delivery.
- Alcohol abuse, smoking.
- Improper functioning of the thyroidgland.
- No ovulation, abnormal follicle formation.
- Frequent stressful situations.
- Long-term use of hormonal drugs.
Only a gynecologist can tell about the causes of the appearance after an accurate description of the symptoms of an ovarian cyst, as well as after an examination.
Diagnosis of pathology
Need to do some research before starting treatment. The symptoms of an ovarian cyst are insidious, as they are similar to the manifestations of other gynecological diseases. The most commonly used examination methods are:
- Ultrasound diagnosis allows you to visually identify the problem. In this case, it is performed using a transvaginal sensor. The difference from the classic ultrasound procedure is that this device is inserted directly into the vagina.
- Magnetic resonance imaging provides information about the condition of the ovaries, as well as the number of follicles and cystic formations.
- Computed tomography allows a good view of the structure of cysts.
- Blood tests for hormones - testosterone, estrogen, as well as for tumor markers.
- Laparoscopic diagnostics, which makes it possible to remove the formation immediately after its detection.
- Pregnancy test or blood test for the hormone hCG in order to exclude ectopic development of the fetus.
Diagnosis of pathology should be done by an experienced specialist, since subsequent therapy depends on it.
Drug therapy
Not always givenpathology, surgical treatment is indicated. Symptoms of an ovarian cyst in women may indicate the initial stage of the disease or a form that is effectively eliminated by drug therapy. For this, drugs such as:
- Oral contraceptives that last several months. They block the work of the ovaries, at the same time stopping the growth of cysts, as well as preventing the formation of new ones.
- Vitamin complexes.
In cases of a small pathology that does not threaten women's he alth, conservative treatment can be limited. Symptoms of ovarian cysts in women and girls also disappear. Most often, drug therapy is prescribed in cases where the pathology does not interfere with the functioning of the organ, there is no inflammation and suppuration of the soft tissues.
Surgery
Sometimes medication does not bring the desired results. Symptoms of ovarian cysts in women and girls at the same time persist and worsen the quality of life. In such cases, surgery is indicated. Such types of surgical interventions are practiced:
- Laparoscopy is the most acceptable and least traumatic way to remove a cyst, since only a few small incisions are made to remove the formation, which heal quickly after the operation. Despite the widespread use of this type of surgery, laparoscopy is only possible if ovarian cancer is completely ruled out.
- Kistectomy - removal of education with minimal damageorgan. Often practiced on small cysts.
- Wedge resection of the ovary involves the removal of pathology through wedge excision of tissues. With this type of operation, there is less he althy ovarian tissue than with a cystectomy.
- Ovariectomy - removal of the affected ovary. Necessary in case of polycystic disease, when there are several cysts in one ovary, as well as in violation of its functionality or the risk of transformation into cancer, as well as a large tumor.
- Andexectomy - removal of uterine appendages. It is indicated for purulent inflammation of the cyst, endometrioid formations, which can cause internal bleeding. This operation is resorted to only in emergency cases.
If cancer is suspected after surgery, a biopsy of the cyst, as well as a he althy ovary, should be performed to compare the results. You can see the difference between a he althy and an affected organ in the photo.
Symptoms of ovarian cysts in women (and treatment of pathology in the future) require a detailed study. Removal of the neoplasm with the help of surgery is also indicated for dermoid, mucinous, endometrioid cysts. This takes into account the age of the patient. Girls of childbearing age are trying to keep the he althy parts of the organ as intact as possible, while women during menopause are recommended to completely remove the appendages, since during this period there is a high risk of transformation of the cyst into a malignant tumor.
Treatment with folk remedies
Unfortunately, a cyst is one of those pathologieswhich are extremely difficult to cure with the help of alternative medicine. However, you can remove the unpleasant symptoms of ovarian cysts. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to consult with your doctor, since not all types of neoplasms can be treated with folk remedies.
If the gynecologist has approved such treatment tactics, then the following recipes will do:
- Raisin tincture can accelerate the self-elimination of functional cysts. To prepare it, you will need 100 g of raisins and 0.5 liters of medical alcohol, which you need to pour dried fruits. The infusion is ready after 2 weeks. It is recommended to take 1 tbsp. l. before meals.
- Freshly squeezed burdock juice should be taken for 4 weeks, 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.
- Walnut partitions are crushed and poured with boiling water. All this must be insisted for 2 hours. After that, the infusion is ready for use: 0.5 cups 2 times a day.
- Medicinal herb Potentilla goose, which can be bought at any pharmacy, is filled with hot water and infused for half an hour. After that, the resulting liquid must be taken 100 ml 3 times a day.
If the use of traditional medicine has negative consequences, then such treatment should be stopped immediately and consult with your doctor about further therapy.
Cyst torsion
If the neoplasm is large, a stalk may appear at its base, with the help of which the cyst can twist down or onto anotherside. Against this background, blood vessels are squeezed, which significantly impairs the circulation of physiological fluid. In addition, if the cyst continues to grow in a twisted position, then there is a risk of overexertion, which leads to rupture of the soft tissues of the formation.
Torsion of a cyst can be provoked by several factors:
- lifting weights;
- sharp movements;
- too active sports;
- pregnancy;
- chronic constipation;
- weak abdominal muscles.
Often torsion of an ovarian cyst requires surgery to remove the mass.
Symptoms of tumor rupture
In some cases, the neoplasm may burst. This is possible with a critical size of the cyst or with a mechanical impact on it, for example, with a blow to the stomach. What are the symptoms of a ruptured ovarian cyst?
- a sharp increase in body temperature that does not decrease even after taking antipyretic drugs;
- feeling worse;
- sharp pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes throbbing;
- pale and sore skin;
- cold sweat;
- feeling hot;
- signs of intoxication of the body - nausea, vomiting;
- spotting brown or bloody vaginal discharge;
- dramatic drop in blood pressure.
All of these signs should be cause for an immediate call to the emergency room, as the rupture of the cyst requires surgery to remove the remnantsformation and stop of internal bleeding, if any.
Malignant formation in the ovary
Now you can recognize the pathology by the symptoms. The consequences of an ovarian cyst may include the process of turning it into a cancerous tumor. At the same time, it may increase in size, and its texture becomes denser, which is noticeable on palpation.
This pathology needs surgical removal. After that, you should undergo a course of treatment in order to suppress the growth of cancer cells. Women over 40 are susceptible to malignancy, especially during menopause.
Cyst and pregnancy
When planning motherhood, a woman undergoes many examinations that are aimed at diagnosing hidden pathologies, among which there are also benign formations in the reproductive organs. What are the symptoms, treatment, and causes of an ovarian cyst during pregnancy? The causes of the manifestation of pathology at the time of expectation of the baby are the same as outside of pregnancy. However, this condition is much more life-threatening for the mother and child. Therefore, it is important to identify the disease even when planning motherhood. However, what if a cyst occurs during pregnancy?
In most cases, surgical treatment of cysts is indicated only after childbirth. Exceptions are cases of twisting of the formation or its large size. However, the pathology requires careful monitoring of the condition during pregnancy.
A cyst can also form directly during gestation. The fact is that the corpus luteum in the ovaryduring pregnancy, it begins to produce a large amount of hormones necessary for a woman and is well supplied with blood. With damage to the blood vessels, there may be hemorrhage in the tissue of the corpus luteum. Fortunately, this kind of pathology does not need treatment and does not have negative consequences for the pregnant woman and the fetus.
The question of how much the presence of a cyst can affect the onset of pregnancy and subsequent gestation does not leave the head of the fairer sex. If it was removed through a surgical operation, then the functionality of the ovary is significantly reduced, since part of the organ is cut out along with the neoplasm. However, a woman can still have children. The most dangerous in this regard is the endometrioid cyst, since it is endometriosis (proliferation of endometrial cells) that causes infertility in 30% of cases.
During the operation to remove the neoplasm, you should carefully choose a surgeon who will cause minimal damage to the organ. Problems with conception can occur if a large part of the ovary was removed during the operation. However, if the second ovary is he althy, then the woman is quite able to become pregnant and bear the child.
Forecast
The further fate of the ovary depends on the type of neoplasm. Dermoid cysts are congenital, therefore, after removal, they can no longer form in the organ. What can not be said about the other varieties of tumors.
Functional cysts, even after treatment or removal, canoccur while ovarian function is active. After the onset of menopause, the likelihood of recurrence of endometrioid formations is high. Therefore, after surgery to remove, therapy is prescribed, which is aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence of cysts.
The functions of the ovary are preserved after the operation. However, they decrease depending on the degree of damage to the organ and the number of tissues excised around the formation. In most cases, even after complete removal of the ovary due to extensive damage, there is still a chance of becoming pregnant if the functions of the second remain normal.
Prevention of pathology
In order to avoid the unpleasant symptoms of a cyst of the left ovary (or right), you should follow these recommendations of specialists:
- As a preventive measure, visit the gynecologist twice a year if nothing bothers you. If there are unpleasant symptoms, then you should not postpone going to a specialist.
- It is important to avoid stressful situations that can threaten nervous strain.
- Take care of your diet: don't overeat or go on too strict diets without medical indications.
- Existing gynecological diseases should be treated immediately after their occurrence and diagnosis.
- Promiscuous is not recommended.
- Pregnancy is important to plan in advance, as this way you can timely identify and eradicate pathologies that can become an obstacle to motherhood.
These simple rules are in place to preventonly symptoms of a cyst of the right ovary (or left), but also any gynecological problems.
