- 23 Jan, 2017
An ovarian cyst! Sounds scary? Wondering what it is and whether it is dangerous? Now, to get things straight, ovarian cysts are just as they sound tiny sacs, filled with fluid and develop in the ovaries. It can be as small as a pea or even larger than a cantaloupe. Most ovarian cysts are benign in nature and occur most often during a woman’s childbearing age. In most cases, they do no damage and go away on their own after a few menstrual cycles. At times ovarian cysts are problematic. They rupture, spilling their contents and cause severe pain and internal bleeding.
Right, so how does it form? During your monthly cycle, your ovaries form follicles that will grow eggs. When the follicle releases its egg, the sac normally shrinks and disappears. This very natural process occasionally takes a tricky turn. If the follicle does not release the egg or if the sac does not shrink after releasing the egg, the sac can fill with fluid, causing the ovarian cyst.
Do the cysts cause any damage to your ovaries? Luckily, cysts are usually more of a pain to you than to the ovary itself. Simple fluid cysts rarely affect your chances of getting pregnant. Sometimes, though, the illness causing the cyst can make it harder for you to get pregnant.
Are ovarian cysts fairly common? Yes, most women develop an ovarian cyst at some point in their lives, though most will never know it. It is interesting to note that your body is designed to deal with ovarian cysts if you are maintaining an optimal level of health. But if you are experiencing hormonal imbalances it can prevent the ovarian cysts from shrinking, causing it to grow bigger and ultimately rupture.
Nobody really wants to hear that they have a cyst and that too a cyst in the ovary may sound pretty alarming. But the good news is that ovarian cysts are quite normal and not scary as they may sound. Do you feel a soft, movable lump at the sides of your pelvic area? Or do you experience pain during intimacy or bowel movements? It could be an indication of an ovarian cyst. To find out whether it’s a cyst or not, schedule an appointment with S10 SafeCare clinic’s gynecologist right away!
