| Ovarian cyst | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A simple ovarian cyst of most likely follicular origin | |
| Specialty | Gynecology |
| Symptoms | None, bloating, lower abdominal pain, lower back pain[1] |
| Complications | Rupture, twisting of the ovary[1] |
| Types | Follicular cyst, corpus luteum cyst, cysts due to endometriosis, dermoid cyst, cystadenoma, ovarian cancer[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Ultrasound[1] |
| Prevention | Hormonal birth control[1] |
| Treatment | Conservative management, pain medication, surgery[1] |
| Prognosis | Usually good[1] |
| Frequency | 8% symptomatic before menopause[1] |
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac within the ovary.[1] They usually cause no symptoms,[1] but occasionally they may produce bloating, lower abdominal pain, or lower back pain.[1] The majority of cysts are harmless.[1][2] If the cyst either breaks open or causes twisting of the ovary, it may cause severe pain.[1] This may result in vomiting or feeling faint,[1] and even cause headaches.
Most ovarian cysts are related to ovulation, being either follicular cysts or corpus luteum cysts.[1] Other types include cysts due to endometriosis, dermoid cysts, and cystadenomas.[1] Many small cysts occur in both ovaries in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).[1] Pelvic inflammatory disease may also result in cysts.[1] Rarely, cysts may be a form of ovarian cancer.[1] Diagnosis is undertaken by pelvic examination with a pelvic ultrasound or other testing used to gather further details.[1]
Often, cysts are simply observed over time.[1] If they cause pain, medications such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen may be used.[1] Hormonal birth control may be used to prevent further cysts in those who are frequently affected.[1] However, evidence does not support birth control as a treatment of current cysts.[3] If they do not go away after several months, get larger, look unusual, or cause pain, they may be removed by surgery.[1]
Most women of reproductive age develop small cysts each month.[1] Large cysts that cause problems occur in about 8% of women before menopause.[1] Ovarian cysts are present in about 16% of women after menopause, and, if present, are more likely to be cancerous.[1][4]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Ovarian cysts". Office on Women's Health. April 2019. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
OQR dictionarywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Grimes, David A; Jones, LaShawn B.; Lopez, Laureen M; Schulz, Kenneth F (29 April 2014). "Oral contraceptives for functional ovarian cysts". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (4): CD006134. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006134.pub5. PMC 10964840. PMID 24782304.
- ^ Mimoun, C.; Fritel, X.; Fauconnier, A.; Deffieux, X.; Dumont, A.; Huchon, C. (December 2013). "Épidémiologie des tumeurs ovariennes présumées bénignes" [Epidemiology of presumed benign ovarian tumors]. Journal de Gynécologie Obstétrique et Biologie de la Reproduction (in French). 42 (8): 722–729. doi:10.1016/j.jgyn.2013.09.027. PMID 24210235.