The Facts About Cysts On Ovaries In Women

Cysts on ovaries is an issue that an overwhelmingly large number of women face. While they can occur at any age, they become most prevalent between puberty and menopause. Usually they tend to be ultimately harmless, but still cause many inconveniences and a good deal of pain, similar to a boil on the skin. Yet ovarian cysts tend to be easily treatable, so there is no need to worry about your problems.

Diagnosing and Classifying

Ovarian cysts are divided into two different categories. The first and most common are known as "functional cysts". These are cysts that occur as a cause of a normal menstrual cycle when an egg does not release from the ovary right away, allowing it to fill with fluid and expand. This kind of cyst is easy to treat, and will typically disappear independently anyway if given a few months. The second and less common classification is "non-functional cysts". These are still not necessarily indicative of a larger problem, but are not caused by standard menstruation. They often will not go away without some form of medical treatment. An ultrasound or CT scan can be used to tell if you have cysts and what kind they are.

Common Signs of Cysts

The most common symptom of cysts is a pain in the abdomen, pelvis, or lower back. It can be constant and dull or intermittent and sharp and very strong. This pain can often be correlated to the times right before or after a period ends. Difficulty or pain during urination or bowel movements can also occur. Sometimes symptoms show up in other parts of the body, such as breast tenderness, headaches, or increased facial hair growth. Some women, depending on their size and placement, can even feel the cysts in the abdomen under the skin.

Types of Treatment

There are many ways to treat ovarian cysts. In some cases if the cysts are not causing pain it is even recommended to withhold treatment and monitor growth, as they may simply go away. If treatment is necessary, the simplest way is often using home remedies, such as hot compresses or over the counter pain reliever to deal with the symptoms. If this does not work the doctor can prescribe medication. The most common medicinal treatment is birth control pills, as they help regulate the menstrual cycle. In extreme cases where the cysts grow too large or become malignant, surgery can also be used as an option to remove them.

Cysts on ovaries is very common in many women. Fortunately it is rarely a big issue and can easily be treated.