Cyst in the ovary (Ovarian cyst)
Ovaries are a woman's reproductive organs, one on each side. Ovaries have hundreds of eggs, and generally, one of them develops every month to a follicle ( a small fluid-filled sac) and gets released usually about two weeks before the next 'period'. The follicle is generally 2 to 3cm in size.
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An ovarian cyst is a larger fluid-filled sac, that is generally bigger than 3 cm in size and develops on or in an ovary. They are very common and most are benign. Cysts smaller than this size may be entirely normal in women who have not gone through menopause, which develop and disappear over time and are often called ovarian follicles.
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Ultrasound scans are very useful in detecting and evaluating cysts. In fact, in most cases, cysts in the ovary are detected by chance when an ultrasound scan is done for some other purpose. An ultrasound scan done through the vagina can be very helpful in studying the cyst in greater detail.
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Ovarian cysts before menopause:
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Simple cysts: are ovarian cysts that have a thin wall and only contain fluid. Most of them are larger than average ovarian follicles. Nearly all of them are non-cancerous.
Complex cysts: are ovarian cysts that have thick walls or contain thick fluid, blood or solid areas. Endometriosis, which is the development and growth of cells of the lining of the womb outside the womb, inside the abdomen, frequently causes cysts in the ovary. Since these cells respond to the female hormones just like the lining of the womb, bleeding into the cyst may develop during periods and cause severe pain. Dermoid cysts which are benign cysts are also not rare in women before menopause.
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Ovarian cysts after menopause:
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The same type of classification as described above applies to women after menopause. However, cysts are unlikely to resolve by themselves as happens in women before menopause. There is also a higher risk of cancer of the ovary in women after menopause. Therefore cysts in the ovary noted after menopause require further assessment.
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Symptoms: In many patients, cysts in the ovary do not cause any symptoms and are detected by chance during an ultrasound scan. However, they can also cause many symptoms such as:
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Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic pain
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painful periods
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pain during sex
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Feeling of urgency to pass urine
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Pain when opening bowels
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Feeling of fullness or bloating of the abdomen
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Distension of the abdomen
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Infertility (difficulty in becoming pregnant)
Women who have cysts in the ovary noted after menopause, women with symptoms thought to be related to the cysts and those with complex cysts are usually referred to a gynaecologist.
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Treatment of ovarian cyst:
may include the removal of the cyst (cystectomy) or removal of the ovary (oophorectomy). This may be done using minimally invasive surgery.
A/ Prof. Bindu Murali can remove your cyst or ovary through minimally invasive surgery, in the form of laparoscopic surgery or robotic-assisted surgery. In some cases, open surgery may be required. At your appointment, A/ Prof. Bindu Murali will discuss with you in detail and develop an individualised treatment plan. If surgery is required, she will offer you the safest and least invasive method of cyst removal.
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