All you need to know about Ovarian Cysts

By Author - 334

Ovaries are bags of eggs. Each month ovaries produce follicles (eggs). Sometimes, a cyst (fluid-filled sac) develops in the ovary. These fluid-filled sacs are known as ovarian cysts.

Corpus luteum cyst: Once the follicle ruptures (ovulation), the sac stays behind, and fluid gets accumulated inside it. This is known as a Corpus luteum cyst. It dissolves on its own.

Follicular cyst: If the follicle fails to rupture (ovulation doesn’t happen), it continues to grow in size and forms a follicular cyst. Mostly follicular cysts dissolve on their own.

Haemorrhagic cyst: At times during ovulation, the follicle bleeds in the sac, forming a haemorrhagic cyst. These cysts resolve on their own.

Endometriomas: These cysts contain the endometrium (the innermost lining of the uterus), and occur in a condition known as endometriosis.

These are also known as CHOCOLATE cysts. They are painful and at times do not resolve and require medicines or surgery. They are non-cancerous.

Dermoid cyst: This is a cyst that contains hair, teeth, bone etc. This cyst does not resolve on its own or with medicines. It needs to be removed surgically. Chances of transformation to malignancy are 0.1% to 2%.

Cystadenomas: These are larges cysts that can be non-cancerous, borderline or cancerous. They require proper investigations, surgery and follow up.

POLYCYSTIC OVARIES (PCOS) are not cysts in the ovary. The ovaries are overworked and start producing multiple (poly) follicles/eggs (cyst), hence the name - Polycystic ovaries.