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Ovarian cysts 101
Just remember that all of you are different and will be listening to different doctors and recovering patients, this research is a broad look at cysts and one size does not fir all.
Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid or a semisolid material that develop on or within the ovary.
The most common type of ovarian cyst is called a functional cyst, which often forms during the normal menstrual cycle. Each month, a woman's ovaries grow tiny cysts that hold the eggs. When an egg is mature, the sac breaks open to release the egg, so it can travel through the fallopian tube for fertilization. Then the sac dissolves.
In one type of functional cyst, called a follicular cyst, the sac does not break open to release the egg and may continue to grow. This type of cyst usually disappears within 1 to 3 months.
A corpus luteum cyst, another type of functional cyst, forms if the sac does not dissolve. Instead, the sac seals off after the egg is released. Fluid then builds up inside of it. This type of cyst usually goes away on its own after a few weeks. However, it can grow to almost 4 inches and may bleed or twist the ovary and cause pain. Clomid or Serophene, which are drugs used to induce ovulation, can raise the risk of developing this type of cyst. These cysts are almost never associated with cancer.
Other types of ovarian cysts include the following:
Endometriomas: These cysts develop in women who have endometriosis, when tissue from the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. The tissue may attach to the ovary and form a growth. These cysts can be painful during sexual intercourse and during menstruation.
Cystadenomas: These cysts develop from cells on the outer surface of the ovary. They are often filled with a watery fluid or thick, sticky gel. They can become large and cause pain.
Dermoid cysts: The cells in the ovary are able to make hair, teeth, and other growing tissues that become part of a forming ovarian cyst. These cysts can become large and cause pain.
Polycystic ovaries: This condition occurs when the eggs mature within the follicles, or sacs, but the sac does not break open to release the egg. The cycle repeats, follicles continue to grow inside the ovary, and cysts form.
Incidence
Functional ovarian cysts usually occur during the childbearing years. Most often, cysts in women of this age group are not cancerous. Women who are postmenopausal and develop ovarian cysts have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Symptoms
Many women with ovarian cysts do not display any symptoms. However, a cyst will sometimes cause the following:
pressure, fullness, or pain in the abdomen;
dull ache in the lower back and thighs;
problems passing urine completely;
pain during sexual intercourse;
weight gain;
painful menstrual periods and abnormal bleeding;
nausea or vomiting; and
breast tenderness.
Diagnosis
Because ovarian cysts may not cause symptoms, they are usually found during a routine pelvic examination. During this examination, a physician may be able to feel the swelling of the cyst on an ovary.
Once a cyst is found, ultrasonography is indicated to visualize the shape of the cyst, its size and location, and whether it is fluid-filled, solid, or mixed. A pregnancy test is also indicated. Hormone levels (such as luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and testosterone) may also be assessed.
To determine whether a cyst might be cancerous, CA-125 levels should be measured. The amount of this protein is higher if a woman has ovarian cancer. However, some ovarian cancers do not produce enough CA-125 to be detected by the test. In addition, other noncancerous diseases such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis can increase the levels of CA-125.
These noncancerous causes of increased CA-125 are more common in women younger than 35 years of age, whereas ovarian cancer is very uncommon in this age group. For this reason, the CA-125 test is recommended mostly for women over the age of 35 years, who are at high risk for the disease and have a cyst that is partially solid.
Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid or a semisolid material that develop on or within the ovary.
The most common type of ovarian cyst is called a functional cyst, which often forms during the normal menstrual cycle. Each month, a woman's ovaries grow tiny cysts that hold the eggs. When an egg is mature, the sac breaks open to release the egg, so it can travel through the fallopian tube for fertilization. Then the sac dissolves.
In one type of functional cyst, called a follicular cyst, the sac does not break open to release the egg and may continue to grow. This type of cyst usually disappears within 1 to 3 months.
A corpus luteum cyst, another type of functional cyst, forms if the sac does not dissolve. Instead, the sac seals off after the egg is released. Fluid then builds up inside of it. This type of cyst usually goes away on its own after a few weeks. However, it can grow to almost 4 inches and may bleed or twist the ovary and cause pain. Clomid or Serophene, which are drugs used to induce ovulation, can raise the risk of developing this type of cyst. These cysts are almost never associated with cancer.
Other types of ovarian cysts include the following:
Endometriomas: These cysts develop in women who have endometriosis, when tissue from the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. The tissue may attach to the ovary and form a growth. These cysts can be painful during sexual intercourse and during menstruation.
Cystadenomas: These cysts develop from cells on the outer surface of the ovary. They are often filled with a watery fluid or thick, sticky gel. They can become large and cause pain.
Dermoid cysts: The cells in the ovary are able to make hair, teeth, and other growing tissues that become part of a forming ovarian cyst. These cysts can become large and cause pain.
Polycystic ovaries: This condition occurs when the eggs mature within the follicles, or sacs, but the sac does not break open to release the egg. The cycle repeats, follicles continue to grow inside the ovary, and cysts form.
Incidence
Functional ovarian cysts usually occur during the childbearing years. Most often, cysts in women of this age group are not cancerous. Women who are postmenopausal and develop ovarian cysts have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Symptoms
Many women with ovarian cysts do not display any symptoms. However, a cyst will sometimes cause the following:
pressure, fullness, or pain in the abdomen;
dull ache in the lower back and thighs;
problems passing urine completely;
pain during sexual intercourse;
weight gain;
painful menstrual periods and abnormal bleeding;
nausea or vomiting; and
breast tenderness.
Diagnosis
Because ovarian cysts may not cause symptoms, they are usually found during a routine pelvic examination. During this examination, a physician may be able to feel the swelling of the cyst on an ovary.
Once a cyst is found, ultrasonography is indicated to visualize the shape of the cyst, its size and location, and whether it is fluid-filled, solid, or mixed. A pregnancy test is also indicated. Hormone levels (such as luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and testosterone) may also be assessed.
To determine whether a cyst might be cancerous, CA-125 levels should be measured. The amount of this protein is higher if a woman has ovarian cancer. However, some ovarian cancers do not produce enough CA-125 to be detected by the test. In addition, other noncancerous diseases such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis can increase the levels of CA-125.
These noncancerous causes of increased CA-125 are more common in women younger than 35 years of age, whereas ovarian cancer is very uncommon in this age group. For this reason, the CA-125 test is recommended mostly for women over the age of 35 years, who are at high risk for the disease and have a cyst that is partially solid.
Well..I go to a new gyn doc today (I am told he is a Dr. McDreamy.....great) to further check out my ultrasound and then MRI which showed bilateral cystic structures on the adnexa, one is 8.8 cm, one is 6.3 cm, no free fluid, no frank solid mass, but concerning for benign or malignant process. There is mild mural nodurality. I am out of my mind with worry, but selfishly hoping I can stay on this board and not move to the ovarian ca board.
Much luck to all, especialy the ladies on the ovarian board.
Much luck to all, especialy the ladies on the ovarian board.
I have put this on the HealhPages for Marty & I think it would be a good idea if we all got in the habit of directing people to the HealthPages. There are some really good HealthPages for both forums and I think we should use them more than we do. That way we are not answering the same posts over and over and we get people in the habit of looking there first.
Since MedHelp agreed to help with the placing of this valuable information on the Health Pages, wouldn't they be aware of policies affecting this type of information??
Just wondering,
Sandy
Just wondering,
Sandy
Thank you ladies for the info. It is very much appreciated. Thank tuy also for your support & wisdom. Star, please continue to post
love, CB
love, CB
I am a senior research-analyst by profession still working full-time, so I guess I am hyper-sensitive about attributing sources when I quote something or provide data. I think it is important for people to know whether someone is speaking from professional knowledge or is quoting from another source. I don't want you to stop posting your research, as obviously it is important and popular with many posters here, but I was hoping MedHelp would clarify their position on this as many forums have strict policies about this.
Bumping up.
Great information, as usual Marty. thank the lord for you.
Peace and love...Kim
Great information, as usual Marty. thank the lord for you.
Peace and love...Kim
Please don't stop. Too much good comes from it and I KNOW I am not the only one who values your hard work and dedication. I don't think it was Medhelp questioning it at all, just PF asking about the guidelines in case she or others happened to want to post some info also, and keep things running smoothly, that's all. (at least that was my perception...) I think that most people on here realize that information gained here is a starting point. If nothing else, it gives us a solid foundation to ask the right questions when we do go to the doctor or take research to the next level. Thanks for ALL you do.
Joelle
Joelle
The above article was drawn from many sources on the net. I saw no additives that stated whether the statements were the original writings of one single source. How many times have I posted articles that come to me from the Google alerts on Ovarian cancer and nothing was said until this artical. I tried to put this information into the health pages but it just returned to the cyst forum, Thanks Harry for your offer to help, but if I am to be quesrtioned as to each and every piece of information I obtain, then I feel very daunted in my pursuit of useful research and will refrain from offering them any more. Marty
Is this original material or is it cut and pasted from some document? Does MedHelp have any rules as do many other forums about providing sources when quoting material? It would be good for members to know for future reference.
Hi,
Sorry for the confusion, but this post was incorrectly sticky noted. The content is terrific and this really belongs in a health page so it can be permanently viewed. SimplyStar, I can help you with that if you'd like. I know you have a lot of things like this and we can put them all into the Health Pages. A lot of the communities are building some great pages and these would be perfect for here. Send us a private message and we can work together to get all of these published. Thanks.
MedHelp - Harry
Sorry for the confusion, but this post was incorrectly sticky noted. The content is terrific and this really belongs in a health page so it can be permanently viewed. SimplyStar, I can help you with that if you'd like. I know you have a lot of things like this and we can put them all into the Health Pages. A lot of the communities are building some great pages and these would be perfect for here. Send us a private message and we can work together to get all of these published. Thanks.
MedHelp - Harry
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have answered so many questions I have had. So glad you are here.
Joelle
Joelle
Marty,
Thank you so much for all of this info on cysts! I found it extremely interesting and informative!
Colleen
Thank you so much for all of this info on cysts! I found it extremely interesting and informative!
Colleen
WOW! Great Information, Jan! I wish, too, that all of this information was so easy to access when I was going through my whole cyst, etc., issue. I had Northrup's first book and the local library and an awesome Sister-in-law in Maryland doing all of the research she could given the initial path report we got after they drained my cyst during my laparoscopy.
During my Internship for my Counseling Master's degree, I spent many of my off-hours in the Hospital (my internship was in the hospital in the Day Treatment Dept.) Reference Library. All I can think of now is how lonely it was in there as I poured over anything I could get my hands on regarding Ovarian cysts, malignant cells (that did not spread beyond that cyst), Mis-diagnosis possibilities, possibilities of recurrances, etc. I joined an average of about two to three people on any given afternoon while doing this research. We have certainly come a long way!
And, What are you doing up so late? Of course...I know...I ask myself the same question.
Take care,
Mary
During my Internship for my Counseling Master's degree, I spent many of my off-hours in the Hospital (my internship was in the hospital in the Day Treatment Dept.) Reference Library. All I can think of now is how lonely it was in there as I poured over anything I could get my hands on regarding Ovarian cysts, malignant cells (that did not spread beyond that cyst), Mis-diagnosis possibilities, possibilities of recurrances, etc. I joined an average of about two to three people on any given afternoon while doing this research. We have certainly come a long way!
And, What are you doing up so late? Of course...I know...I ask myself the same question.
Take care,
Mary
Marty, thank you for the reminder. I had the Ovarian Cyst 101 Website in my cancer file and I have put the link below. It is a great site. Not only does it have all the types of cysts listed it also has areas for cyst research, cysts & nutrition, cysts & medicines, etc,but to me the most exciting part was about cysts and how they relate to other illnesses. So many women have multiple symptoms and they tell their Drs. that they think it is all related and their Drs blow them off and treat each symptom, which doesn't always work. Well maybe now they will have proof that some things are tied in with cysts. I think since there is so much info we should each take an area we are interested in and make HealthPages. That way as questions come up there will be a wealth of info we can point people to. Sometimes people wait for answers, but they wouldn't have to if it was all in one place. There is just so much good info, it would be like having our own cyst encyclopedia that everyone could refer to.
I wish they had all of this info around when I was getting cysts every 5 minutes. LOL Not that often, but I did have 5 surgeries and another 13 or so that just popped on their own. I would have been a lot less worried if I had known some of the info in this site. Oh, some of the other topics they cover are:
Ovarian Cyst 101
All About Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian Cysts and Research Studies
Ovarian Cysts and Diet
Ovarian Cysts and Medicine
Ovarian Cysts and Surgery
Ovarian Cysts and Alternative Treatments
Ovarian Cysts and Herbal Supplements
Ovarian Cysts and Vitamins
http://*****
Happy Reading
Jan
http://******
* Links edited by MedHelp
I wish they had all of this info around when I was getting cysts every 5 minutes. LOL Not that often, but I did have 5 surgeries and another 13 or so that just popped on their own. I would have been a lot less worried if I had known some of the info in this site. Oh, some of the other topics they cover are:
Ovarian Cyst 101
All About Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian Cysts and Research Studies
Ovarian Cysts and Diet
Ovarian Cysts and Medicine
Ovarian Cysts and Surgery
Ovarian Cysts and Alternative Treatments
Ovarian Cysts and Herbal Supplements
Ovarian Cysts and Vitamins
http://*****
Happy Reading
Jan
http://******
* Links edited by MedHelp
What a great idea to keep it bumped up.. Also, think we can bookmark this on own computer can't we.. (not that I want another cyst mind you)
As I said earlier... stay with us !!
Sandy
As I said earlier... stay with us !!
Sandy
oh Marty..
All I can say is thank u!!! U continue to amaze me!!!!
I missed U
Laney
All I can say is thank u!!! U continue to amaze me!!!!
I missed U
Laney
And if we can remember it's there in the health pages, we can refer people to it. It's easy enough to find.
Hi
Star this must have taken ages to write all that?
I cant put a Pin to it as MedHelp are the only ones that can do this, i will have to ask about it.
But in the mean time i feel it would make a good health page because people do go there and look!
what you can also do to keep bumping this up is to click on watch this discussion and you can easily find it to bump it up every now and then.
Hope this helps
Take care
Mid
Mid could probably help you do this. I did not even know what a computer was until 9 years ago so it takes me a long time to learn new things. took me 3 years to learn copy and paste . even longer with photos .
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