Ovarian cysts: causes and symptoms

Ovarian cysts make up 10-20% of gynecological problems. They often resolve on their own and are not accompanied by severe symptoms, but in some situations it is essential to intervene with medication or even surgery.

Ovarian cysts are heard of very often. In fact, this term includes different problems for causes and symptoms.

Functional cysts, for example, are formations that develop during the normal functioning of the ovary, do not give major problems and tend to resolve on their own.

More worrying is, however, polycystic ovary syndrome or some cystic masses that form after menopause and that could have a tumor nature.

The follicle, here is the center of the problem

In all cases the cysts appear as sacs filled with fluid or other organic material. They develop inside or on the surface of the ovaries. The structures that are altered are the follicles, that is, those rounded little bodies present in the ovary that contain, each, an egg cell in the maturation phase.

During each menstrual cycle several follicles begin to proliferate in the ovary, but at the time of ovulation only one of these follicles will release a cell capable of being fertilized and reabsorb. The other follicles that had begun to develop regressed.

However, in some situations this process is not carried out correctly. If ovulation does not occur or if a follicle does not reabsorb, filling with blood or fluid, functional cysts are formed.

In the case of polycystic ovary, however, it is the excessive activity of hormones that causes the follicles to proliferate abnormally, to the point of preventing, in some cases, ovulation. Often this syndrome is hereditary and a greater predisposition is observed in those suffering from type 2 diabetes. The first step for the treatment of polycystic ovary consists in a modification of lifestyle habits especially if the patient also has obesity or overweight problems, defined according to the value of the body mass index (BMI):

There are also other types of cysts, such as dermoid cysts, which are due to the presence of embryonic tissue residues and endometriotic cysts, associated with the presence of endometriosis.

A (often) hidden enemy

Often ovarian cysts do not give symptoms and it is an ultrasound examination to reveal their presence even before there are disorders.

In other cases they manifest themselves with weight gain and irregularities of the menstrual cycle which, in the case of polycystic ovary syndrome, can even disappear.

Sometimes, then, there is a sense of heaviness and abdominal and breast swelling or pelvic pains even very strong, which can radiate to the back and thighs, especially in periods close to menstruation and if the cyst is large.

In particular, acute, sudden and very strong pains can be associated with rupture or torsion of the cyst. In these cases, symptoms such as nausea and fever may be added.

Finally, pains can also be felt during sexual intercourse or urinating.

A special case: polycystic ovary

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a case apart because, in general, the entire ovary is larger than normal and its surface appears dotted due to the presence of a very large number of cysts.

In addition to being associated with menstrual irregularities, it is often accompanied by overweight, hirsutism, acne, infertility, obesity, hyperglycemia and recurrent miscarriages.

Furthermore, this pathology is typically associated with abnormal levels of hormones associated with ovarian activity (luteinizing hormone, androgens) and SHBG – sex hormone binding protein; as well as an increase in insulin and the inability of cells to respond to the action of insulin itself, typical of some forms of diabetes.