MamasHealth.com Home Women's Health Adenomyosis Atrophic vaginitis Bartholin's abscess Cervical dysplasia Cervical polyps Cervictis Depo provera Domestic violence Endometrial hyperplasia Endometrial polyps Endometriosis Escape an attacker Folic acid Finding time for sex Hormone therapy Alternatives How to be a better mom HPV scare Important health tests Labial reduction surgery Menorrhagia Menopause Menstrual cramps Midlife checklist Mittelschmerz Moms need friends too Ovarian cysts Painful sex Pelvic exams PID PMS Polycystic ovarian Preeclampsia Pregnancy Salpingitis Toxic shock syndrome 1 Toxic shock syndrome 2 Urinary incontinence Urinary tract infection Uterine bleeding Uterine fibroids Vaginal cysts Vaginal dryness Vaginal rejuvenation Vaginal warts Vaginismus Vaginitis Vulvar dystrophy Vulvitis Vulvodynia Women & calcium Women & medicine Women & heart Disease Yeast infections Links Email Mama Tips to get him in the mood Why women should care about prostate cancer Donating your eggs Help for rape victims Stay at home moms Women and calcium 9 things women should know about men Shy girls guide to flirting	What is an Ovarian Cyst? An ovarian cyst is a sac filled with fluid or a semisolid material that develops on or within the ovary. Ovarian cysts are also called Physiologic ovarian cysts and Functional ovarian cysts. Types of Ovarian Cysts Functional Cyst. Functional cysts are the most common type of ovarian cyst. They often form during the normal menstrual cycle. Functional ovarian cysts usually disappear within 60 days without treatment and are relatively common. They occur most often during childbearing years (puberty to menopause), but may occur at any time. Endometriomas. Endometriomas develop in women who have endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when tissue from the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. Cystadenomas. Cystadenomas develop from cells on the outer surface of the ovary. They are often filled with a watery fluid or thick, sticky gel. Dermoid cysts. The cells in the ovary are able to make hair, teeth, and other growing tissues that become part of a forming ovarian cyst. Polycystic ovaries. The eggs mature within the follicles, or sacs, but the sac doesn't break open to release the egg. The cycle repeats, follicles continue to grow inside the ovary, and cysts form. Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts In some cases, symptoms are not present. When symptoms are present, the most common symptoms of are: A constant, dull ache in the lower back and thighs. Pain with intercourse or pelvic pain during movement. Pelvic pain shortly after beginning or ending a menstrual period. Difficulty urinating Abnormal uterine bleeding lengthened menstrual cycle shortened menstrual cycle menstruation, absent irregular menstruation Abdominal bloating or distention Pressure, fullness, or pain in the abdomen Weight gain Nausea or vomiting Breast tenderness Can Ovarian Cysts be Treated? Yes. Functional ovarian cysts typically disappear within 60 days without any treatment. Oral contraceptive pills may be prescribed to decrease the development of functional ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts that do not appear to be functional may require surgical removal by laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy. Surgical removal is often necessary if a cyst is revealed that is larger than 6 centimeters. A ovarian cyst may need to be removed it if is present for longer than 6 weeks. What are Ovaries? The ovaries are a pair of female reproductive organs. They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries are connected to each other by the Fallopian tubes. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries have two functions: they produce eggs (also called ova) and female hormones. The size of each ovary is about 1.5 inches long.
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