Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts can be painful and upsetting, but effective treatment is available for patients with this condition. The Healthy Woman ObGyn provides diagnosis and treatment to patients who have symptoms of ovarian cysts. Patients who suspect ovarian cysts should contact The Healthy Woman in Snellville, Lawrenceville and Atlanta East, Georgia.

What is an ovarian cyst?

An ovarian cyst is a sac filled with fluid that develops on an ovary, an organ located on each side of the uterus. The ovaries are responsible for producing mature eggs each month.

What are the symptoms of an ovarian cyst?

Some ovarian cysts don’t cause any noticeable symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Pain in the pelvis
• Pain during bowel movements or intercourse
• Nausea and vomiting
• Breast tenderness
• Pressure on the bladder
• Fullness in the abdomen

What causes an ovarian cyst?

Cysts may develop for many reasons. One of the most common cysts is called a functional cyst. A functional cyst may be a follicular cyst, which holds an egg, or it can be a corpus luteum cyst, which produces hormones during the menstrual cycle.

Other types of cysts that may develop on the ovary include:

• Endometriomas - This cyst develops when endometriosis attaches to an ovary.
• Cystadenomas - Cystadenomas are typically filled with mucous or liquid.
• Dermoid cysts - These cysts may contain teeth, skin, hair, and other tissues.

Ovarian cysts are rarely cancerous.

How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?

Providers at The Healthy Woman may suspect a cyst based on the results of a pelvic exam and/or a description of the patient’s symptoms. If they suspect a cyst has formed, they will order tests to determine its type, including a pelvic ultrasound, laparoscopy, and pregnancy test. They may also order blood work to rule out a cancerous growth.

What treatments are available?

Many ovarian cysts will go away on their own over time. If the patient isn’t experiencing severe symptoms, she may opt for watchful waiting. Her provider reevaluates the cyst at regular intervals to ensure that it isn’t growing or changing.

In cases where patients are at risk of developing more cysts, the patient's provider may recommend birth control pills to alter the hormones that created the cyst. This can reduce the chances of the patient developing additional cysts in the future.

In cases where cysts are large, growing, or causing serious symptoms, the patient's provider may recommend surgery to remove the cyst from the ovary.