Types of Ovarian Cyst

The 2 main types of ovarian cyst are:

• Functional Ovarian Cysts – cysts that develop as part of the menstrual cycle and are usually harmless and short-lived; these are the most common type
• Pathological Ovarian Cysts – cysts that form as a result of abnormal cell growth; these are much less common

Ovarian cysts can sometimes also be caused by an underlying condition, such as endometriosis.

The vast majority of ovarian cysts are non-cancerous (benign), although a small number are cancerous (malignant).

Cancerous cysts are more common if you have been through the menopause.

Symptoms:

Some or all of the following symptoms may be present, though it is possible not to experience any symptoms:

• Abdominal pain: Dull aching pain within the abdomen or pelvis, especially during intercourse.
• Uterine bleeding: Pain during or shortly after beginning or end of menstrual period; irregular periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding or spotting.
• Fullness, heaviness, pressure, swelling, or bloating in the abdomen.
• When a cyst ruptures from the ovary, there may be sudden and sharp pain in the lower abdomen on one side.
• Change in frequency or ease of urination (such as inability to fully empty the bladder), or difficulty with bowel movements due to pressure on adjacent pelvic anatomy.
• Constitutional symptoms such as fatigue, headaches.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Weight gain.

Other symptoms may depend on the cause of the cysts:

• Symptoms that may occur if the cause of the cysts is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may include increased facial hair or body hair, acne, obesity and infertility.
• If the cause is endometriosis, then periods may be heavy, and intercourse painful.

Diagnosis

A cyst on your ovary can be found during a pelvic exam or on an imaging test, such as a pelvic ultrasound. Depending on the size of the cyst and whether it’s filled with fluid or solid, your health care provider likely will recommend tests to determine its type and whether you need treatment.

Possible tests include:

• Pregnancy Test. A positive test might suggest an early pregnancy. Corpus luteum cysts are normal to see during pregnancy.
• Pelvic Ultrasound. A wandlike device (transducer) sends and receives high-frequency sound waves to create an image of your uterus and ovaries on a video screen (ultrasound). The image is used to confirm that you have a cyst, see its location, and determine whether it’s solid or filled with fluid.
• MRI/CT scan
• Tumor Marker Tests. Blood levels of a protein called a cancer antigen often are elevated in ovarian cancer. If your cyst appears solid and you’re at high risk of ovarian cancer, your provider might order a cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) test or other blood tests. CA 125 levels can also be elevated in noncancerous conditions, such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Sometimes, less common types of cysts develop that a health care provider finds during a pelvic exam. Solid ovarian cysts that develop after menopause might be cancerous (malignant). That’s why it’s important to have regular pelvic exams.

Complications of Ovarian Cysts

In a rare case, a doctor may detect a cancerous cystic ovarian mass during a routine examination.

Ovarian torsion is another rare complication of ovarian cysts. It occurs when a large cyst causes an ovary to twist or move from its original position. Blood supply to the ovary is cut off. If not treated, ovarian torsion can cause damage or death to the ovarian tissue.

Ruptured cysts rarely cause intense pain and internal bleeding. This complication increases your risk of an infection and can be life threatening if left untreated.