Ovarian Cyst Overview
A woman’s ovaries are located on each side of the pelvis and are responsible for producing eggs. The ovaries also serve as the body’s main source of important hormones including estrogen and progesterone. Ovary pain is quite common during a menstrual cycle, but can also be connected to a more serious underlying condition. Dr. Dennis Eisenberg, board certified OBGYN serving the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas communities, treats a wide number of women each year that experience pain caused by an ovarian cyst.
What is an Ovarian Cyst?
Ovarian cysts are characterized as small, fluid-filled sacs that form on the ovary’s surface. Many cysts do not cause ovary pain or other symptoms. In many cases, large cysts can go unnoticed for an extended period of time because they cause no discomfort.
An ovarian cyst forms when the follicle (the sac that encloses the egg) fails to rupture and release the egg, which is part of a normal menstrual cycle. When this occurs, the sac and associated fluid remain and a cyst is formed.
Ovary Pain and Other Common Symptoms
Many ovarian cysts are harmless, but certain cysts can cause a number of unwanted symptoms, including:
- Ovary pain
- Pelvic pain during sex
- Pain during bowel movements
- Frequent urination and bladder pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
- Breast tenderness
If an ovarian cyst ruptures, women often experience a fever, vomiting and sudden and severe abdominal pain. In more severe cases, a woman may also go into shock and experience rapid breathing, lightheadedness and cold or clammy skin. If a woman believes a cyst has ruptured, she requires immediate medical attention.
Risks for Developing Ovarian Cysts
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Infertility
- Early menstruation
- Previous cysts
- Hormonal imbalances
- Hyperthyroidism
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) are known to reduce the risk of ovarian cysts since they prevent the ovaries from producing eggs during normal ovulation.
Types of Cysts
- Follicular cyst- This is a simple, functional cyst that forms when ovulation does not occur, or when a mature follicle collapses in on itself. Its rupture, which occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, can cause intense ovary pain. Otherwise, the cysts tend to dissolve on their within a few months.
- Corpus luteum cyst- After an egg has been released, the follicle becomes what is known as a corpus luteum. These cysts usually dissolve, but in some cases, they fill with fluid or blood and remain for an extended period of time with no symptoms.
- Polycystic-appearing ovary- An ovary that appears twice its normal size on an ultrasound is often enlarged due to a number of small cysts growing on its outside walls.
- Endometriomas or endometroid cysts- These cysts are formed as part of endometriosis, in which the tissue that lines the uterine wall grows in other locations, such as the ovaries.
- Cystadenoma- This kind of ovarian cyst is composed of ovarian tissue. It is a benign tumor that can grow up to twelve inches in diameter.
- Hemorrhagic cyst- An ovarian cyst that bleeds and may cause abdominal pain.
- Dermoid cyst- A kind of benign tumor capable of growing up to six inches in diameter. It is formed not of fluid, but of fat, and sometimes bone, hair and cartilage.
If you live in the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area and are experiencing ovary pain, contact the OBGYN office of Dr. Dennis Eisenberg to determine if an ovarian cyst is the cause of pain.