Understnd what causes Ovarian Cysts...

For most women ovarian cysts can be quite scary. Ovarian Overview is designed to further inform women about this often misunderstood and frightening condition.

Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs that can form within or on the surface of the ovary. Depending on the nature and severity of the case, these cysts have the potential to cause extreme discomfort in the lower abdominal region. Small cysts, quite often form and develop on the female ovaries as a normal part of the menstrual cycle. Usually, they go away on their own, unnoticed without symptom and do not cause harm to the woman. These cysts are most often diagnosed during routine genealogical exams. The attending physician may discuss treatment options to avoid or prevent larger, more painful cysts from forming down the road. If complications arise (symptoms such as abdominal pain and extreme disconfort) always seek professional help. A ruptured cyst can cause complications if left un-checked, so always seek proper medical treatment.

Testing will be performed to determine various factors:

Abdominal, or vaginal ultrasound will be utilized in order to determine a potential cyst’s size, shape, location, and mass.
Blood work and a urinalysis should be performed as well to ensure that levels are correct. Doctors can tell great dealt from the presence or absence of certain elements in blood and urine.
Often swelling occurs in the lower abdomen which can be felt externally. By applying a small amount of pressure with the hands around the general region of the ovary experiencing distress. This analysis isusually the doctors first course of action in diagnosing this condition. The protrusion will usually feel like a small lump or ball underneath the skin. Based on the patients reaction to the doctors touch, the physician can better determine the cause of the disconfort.

Ovarian Cysts are a common condition that hundreds of thousands of women develop and experience each year.The ovary is the central female reproductive organ, which contains follicles that produce ova and steroid hormones in regular frequency durring the menstrual cycle. Usually each ovary alternates taking turns releasing eggs every other month.

An ovarian cyst may contain either a liquid material , solid material, or a combination of both. This can occur at any point during the years that a women menstruates. Therefore, a female may suffer from ovarian cysts at any time over the course of a forty year period, while she is ovulating. At times, cysts on the ovaries develop as a solid mass, this is known as an ovarian tumor. However, it must be understood that this expression is the general medical term for any inflation in a tissue, it does not mean the cyst is malignant (cancerous). To put your mind at rest, the majority of cysts on ovaries are benign (non-cancerous).

The treatment for ovarian cysts will depend upon the type of the cyst and its nature. If the cyst is benign, little or no treatment is required. However, in the case of serious condition, conventional medicine will recommended the following forms of treatment. When the cysts on the ovary are small, it is entirely possible that the female will suffer no symptoms. One may become aware of the symptoms of cysts if you experience pain durring sexual intercourse, weight gain or infertility. Ovarian Cyst symptoms can be any one of the above, or a combination of several other symptoms.

Wherever possible, a medical operation is avoided. It is generally a good idea to seek a second opinion if your doctors advises surgury. Consult professionals for alternative treatments to give yourself peace of mind before making the final decision. Medical science does not always provide all the answers, and this is particularly true when it comes to ovarian cysts. Identifying the causes of an ovarian cysts, and addressing that cause will often prevent reoccurance.

The Technical Assessment:

Many of the symptoms of Ovarian Cysts are due to increased production of ovarian testosterone and chronically elevated levels of insulin. In Cyst patients, the body’s cells do not respond normally to a “given amount” of glucose and they “over produce” insulin to compensate. This excess insulin drives the ovaries to increase androgen (testosterone) production and decrease serum sex hormone-binding globulin. The elevated testosterone impedes the growth of ovarian follicles and leads to lack of ovulation. Lack of ovulation will cause amenorrhea (absence of a menstrual period) and increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (excessive cell growth in the inner lining of the uterus). Metformin, which is an oral anti-diabetic drug, has been shown to be extremely effective in lowering the problem causing insulin levels. Many different types of cysts can form all for different reasons. Some of the most common include functional cysts as well as dermoid cysts.

Most Doctor's Prefer "Wait and See" Method
This approach involves waiting a few months to see if the cyst goes away on its own. This is common in pre-menopausal women who have a small, functional cyst type. The patient will need to have additional ultrasound scans after approximately a month to ensure the cyst has dissolved, but most disappear after a few weeks without treatment.

Your Physician may choose surgery for complex cysts
Rarely, laparotomy ( open surgery) may be needed if the cyst is solid or complex; and if the doctor suspects a malignancy possible Ovarian Cancer Condition. But this is most often not the case. These measures are standard and nearly all lumps or growths removed from the body are tested for cancer.