Ovarian cysts are remarkably common, so don’t be too surprised if you get them repeatedly. Having said that, some risk factors increase the likelihood that you might develop them. We’ll examine those shortly.
But, first, our expert team at Desert Hills Care Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, discusses what ovarian cysts are and why they become a problem.
The ovaries are almond-shaped organs — one on either side of the uterus — that produce a woman’s eggs. You release an egg every month as part of your menstrual cycle, and if sperm fertilizes the egg, you become pregnant. Without fertilization, your body sheds the uterine lining during menstruation.
Ovarian cysts can develop on or in one or both ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can occur in many parts of the body, including on the skin. Often, women have ovarian cysts without knowing they do unless they undergo an abdominal scan for some other purpose. This is because cysts cause very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
This isn’t a problem because ovarian cysts are usually harmless and typically disappear after a couple of months with no adverse effects.
Some women with large ovarian cysts have lower pelvic pain and develop issues with heaviness, bloating, and/or pressure. A few women experience complications with cysts when they twist and/or rupture. If this happens, ovarian cysts can cause severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and shock.
Each month, your ovaries naturally produce small cysts called follicles. These follicles open during ovulation to release an egg and then release estrogen and progesterone, the female sex hormones. Sometimes, follicles keep growing, becoming what we call a functional cyst.
Follicular cysts form when the follicle fails to rupture and doesn’t release the egg. When follicles do release eggs, they shrink and start producing hormones, becoming a corpus luteum. If the area that opened to release an egg becomes blocked, fluid builds up, causing a corpus luteum cyst.
Functional cysts are the most common and usually resolve without treatment. However, some of the less common ovarian cysts are more likely to be problematic. These include:
Dermoid cysts, or teratomas, are made from the cells that form your eggs. They may contain tissues like skin or hair.
Cystadenomas develop from cells on your ovary’s surface and can become quite sizable.
Women with endometriosis (in which cells that make up the uterine lining develop outside the uterus) may have an endometrioma. In this case, the abnormal tissue attaches itself to an ovary, and a cyst forms.
If you get ovarian cysts repeatedly, it’s likely you have one or more of these risk factors:
Hormone imbalances can increase your chance of ovarian cysts forming.
Fertility drugs used when you have trouble conceiving may add to your risk of ovarian cysts. Common drugs include clomiphene and letrozole, which make you ovulate.
Follicles that develop when you ovulate sometimes stay on the ovary during pregnancy.
An infection that spreads into the ovaries can cause cysts.
As we mentioned above, you might develop an endometrioma if you have endometriosis.
If you’ve had ovarian cysts once, you’re more likely to get them again.
At Desert Hills Care Center, we offer support to women affected by recurring ovarian cysts, helping them identify their risk factors and control them where possible.
You can’t always prevent ovarian cysts from forming, but we can help you reduce your risk.
We recommend regular pelvic exams to identify any changes in your ovaries that might need treatment or observation. We also advise our patients to let us know if their menstrual cycle changes or they develop unusual symptoms that last for several cycles.
In addition, we can treat pelvic infections and help you manage conditions like endometriosis and hormonal imbalances.
Talk to board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Helard Ballon-Hennings, MD, FACOG, or another Desert Hills Care Center team member if you’re worried about ovarian cysts. We also welcome online inquiries — just complete the form on our website.
