Ovarian Cysts

If you are having trouble becoming pregnant, it may due to ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled pockets that form inside and on the surface of the ovaries. Generally, ovarian cysts are nothing to worry about. However, they can sometimes cause complications. Occasionally, ovarian cysts can indicate a reproductive problem, which may be the underlying cause of your fertility issues. If you think you may have ovarian cysts, visit with your health care provider for an exam.

What are Ovarian Cysts? Ovarian cysts are sacs containing fluid, which form in or on the surface of your ovaries. They are a very common, and most women don’t even realize that they have them.

Cysts are actually a normal part of the reproductive process. Special cysts, called follicles, form around your eggs while they are maturing. One of these follicles bursts every month in order to release an egg for fertilization. Sometimes though, cysts other than follicles can form on your ovaries, causing problems.

Types of Ovarian Cysts
There are a number of types of ovarian cysts. Some of these cysts can grow to large sizes, causing various uncomfortable symptoms. Occasionally, cysts can even interfere with fertility.

• Follicular Cyst: A follicular cyst develops from a follicle that hasn’t ruptured. Sometimes, follicles fail to break open and release an egg. As a result, these follicles can turn into cysts. Follicular cysts are the most common type of ovarian cyst and rarely cause pain or complications.
• Corpus Luteum Cyst: Corpus luteum cysts can sometimes form when follicles rupture. Occasionally, fluid gets trapped inside the ruptured follicle, allowing a cyst to form. These cysts usually disappear in time, however, some can grow to large sizes. If your cysts begins to bleed or twist, this can cause pain.
• Endometriomas: Endometriomas are cysts which form in women who have endometriosis. They develop when endometrial tissue attaches to your ovaries. These cysts can cause pain during menstruation and sexual intercourse.
• Cystademas: Cystademas develop from cells which make up the surface of your ovary. They tend to be filled with a watery or sticky fluid, and can grow to large sizes.
• Dermoid Cysts: Dermoid cysts form from ovarian cells which are able to create teeth, hair, and other types of tissues. These cysts are rare, but can be large and painful.
• Polycystic Ovaries: Sometimes, the follicle that is supposed to release your egg fails to break, and it turns into a cyst. More and more cysts can then begin to form, eventually building up all over your ovaries. This is part of a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Who Gets Ovarian Cysts?
Ovarian cysts are actually pretty common. Most women develop at least one cyst during their childbearing years. The vast majority of uterine cysts are uncomplicated. These tend to go away on their own, without treatment. Women between the ages of 50 and 70 can also develop cysts, however, these cysts tend to be more dangerous and can sometimes indicate the beginning of ovarian cancer.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts generally produce no symptoms. If you have a large cyst or more than one cyst, though, you may notice some symptoms. If you are noticing any symptoms it is important to visit with your health care provider for an examination. Ovarian cyst symptoms could include:

• abdominal pain
• abdominal pressure
• pressure on the bladder or rectum
• difficulty urinating
• abnormal bleeding
• painful intercourse
• sensitive breasts
• nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis of Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are generally diagnosed during your annual pelvic exam. This is when your health care provider feels your reproductive organs to make sure that they are healthy. Ovarian cysts feel like little bumps on your ovaries. Ovarian cysts can also be diagnosed through ultrasound. An ultrasound helps to determine the size, location, and contents of an ovarian cysts.

Ovarian Cysts and Infertility
For the majority of women, the presence of ovarian cysts has no impact on their ability to conceive. Typically, ovarian cysts remain small and don’t interfere with ovulation or conception. However, some cysts can indicate underlying conditions, which may inhibit your ability to become pregnant. If you have a lot of cysts, you may have polycystic ovarian syndrome, which can disrupt the normal cycle of ovulation, inhibiting pregnancy.

Ovarian Cyst Treatment
For most women, the first line of treatment is to wait and watch. Your health care provider will continue to monitor your cyst to see if it grows any larger or changes shape. For those with serious symptoms, surgery to remove the cysts may be the best bet. Hormone therapy, such as the birth control pill, can also used to help control the growth of cysts in some women.

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