Articles: Ovary Health

Ovarian cysts resemble blisters, and are the fluid filled sacs in the ovaries. For the women under 50, cysts are usually not cancerous, and mostly women find out about their cysts during the pelvic examination. Ovaries produce eggs each month, and during the process of ovulation, a follicle is formed inside the ovary which ruptures after becoming matured. Ovarian cysts are quite common among women who are in their childbearing age.

Imbalance in the estrogen and progesterone hormones in female body can cause abnormal ovarian cysts such as polycystic ovarian disease. If the cysts are diagnosed at early stages, they can be treated using less invasive methods and there is best hope for the recovery. Dermoid cysts are filled with different types of tissues, including skin and hair. Cystadenoma cysts develop from cells present on the outer surface of ovaries.

Some of the common causes of ovarian cysts are history of previous ovarian cysts, infertility, increased upper body fat distribution, irregular menstrual cycles, early menstruation, tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer and hypothyroidism or hormonal disbalance. Malignant cysts are more common among women who develop them after menopause. However, some of the common symptoms that may be present include irregular menstrual periods, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, feeling of pelvic or lower abdominal fullness or pressure, vomiting or nausea, pelvic pain after sexual intercourse or strenuous exercise, infertility, vaginal pain or spots of blood from vagina. There is not much medical information available regarding prevention of ovarian cysts, and smoking has not been found to be a risk factor.

Ovarian cysts are usually diagnosed during the annual pelvic exam, and other diagnostic tests include laparoscopy and ultrasound. Growth that become unusually large or persist for more than few months must be removed. Early diagnosis of cysts can make it possible to treat them with less invasive treatment methods. If women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cysts do not feel any symptoms, they are advised to wait for few months for the cysts to dissolve on their own.

The growth of the cyst is frequently monitored with the help of ultrasonic observation or endovaginal ultrasound. It is important to minimize the strenuous physical activity to reduce the risk of cyst rupture. Oral contraceptives help regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent the follicle formation that turn into cysts.