Women should not be alarmed by the relatively common problem of functional ovarian cysts. These cysts do not predict or develop into cancer. Most of them will not cause any noticeable symptoms or require treatment, although some will cause enough pain to warrant treatment of some kind.
When ovulation does not happen, or when a mature follicle breaks down, a simple form of ovarian cyst may form, called a follicular cyst. This cyst can become as large as 2 or more inches in diameter, but will usually disappear by itself after only a few months, and will usually show no symptoms.
A corpus luteum cyst can result when the ovarian gland produces progesterone during ovulation and a egg is released as the menstrual cycle progresses. A round gland called the corpus luteum is filled with fluid and about a inch in diameter when healthy and functioning properly. Generally they appear in the early months or pregnancy or even just at the end of the menstrual cycle and are asymptomatic, healing on their own without symptoms and may never even be noticed.
Hemorrhagic cysts generally hold blood within them. While they don’t have a tendency to burst, when they do burst the loss of blood can cause uncomfortable, even burning feelings in the pelvic area. This type of cyst usually does not require any treatment and is actually quite common. If needed, they can be removed with surgery if the danger of endometriosis is a concern.
The type of ovarian cysts that grows out of the ovaries’ totipotential germ cells is called a Dermoid cysts. Teeth, bones, hair and other similar types of tissue grow from a totipotential germ cell. Women of any age can have Dermoid cysts develop and when examined by doctors sometimes they even find a small piece of hair or tooth still present. Dermoid cysts are usually removed with surgery due to their ability to prevent blood flow.
Included in a pathological ovarian cyst are endometriosis and tumors. These rare cysts can only be diagnosed by a doctor after a thorough examination. A pathological ovarian cyst is a type of tumor that can be either cancerous or non-cancerous and malignant or benign. Tumors must be treated soon after discovery. Tumors generally have thick walls are greater than 6cm in diameter and can be persistent unless treated. An endometrioid cyst, which is different than a tumor, occurs when a section of endometrial tissue becomes transferred into the ovaries after being dislodged. The peak reproductive years are when endometrioid cysts most often occur in women.
The different types of ovarian cysts must be diagnosed and treated appropriately. However, all women should speak to their doctors about ovarian cysts in order to be properly informed and guard their health.
