Ovarian Cysts Types - Causes, Signs, Symptoms and Surgical Removal of Ovarian Cysts

Most ovarian cysts are trouble-free, but some produce oestrogens, progesterone, or, rarely, androgens and some cause bleeding between periods, pelvic pain, abdominal pain and fullness, painful sex, frequent urination, weight gain, and swelling of the abdomen. Occasionally a cyst bursts, bleeds, twists on a stalk ('torsion') or becomes infected. Ovary pain is most likely either side of the middle of the abdomen, but if a cyst bleeds or bursts, there may be more generalized abdominal pain.

After the menopause, single cysts are more likely, and around 30 per cent of these disappear spontaneously. Some, though, keep on growing and a few grow extremely large. Occasionally a cancer grows in the wall of a cyst; indeed, one in three ovary cysts that develops after the age of 45 is cancerous.

Medical treatment for Ovarian Cysts

The Pill may help to prevent certain ovary cysts.

A surgeon may remove a cyst estimated to measure less than 7.6 cm (3in) across during a laparoscopy. One possible drawback to this, though, is that if what's thought to be a benign cyst turns out to be a cancer, operating through a laparoscope may not enable the surgeon to remove it completely, in which case the surgeon will do a laparotomy; an operation under a general anesthetic in which a cut is made in your lower abdomen. There is also a risk of cancer cells leaking and spreading the cancer as the cyst is removed.

Removal of a larger cyst needs a laparotomy. You'll be back to normal activities within two to four weeks, although sometimes a cyst returns and also, the operation may trigger infection, damage the bowel or bladder or encourage the formation of adhesions - strands of internal scar tissue that sometimes cause problems.

Sometimes, the whole ovary has to come out (an operation called oophorectomy). Having only one ovary decreases fertility, so if you need surgery and want to become pregnant in future, ask the surgeon if it's possible to remove only the cyst. If you have an ovary removed before the age of 30 you are likely to have your menopause seven years earlier than you otherwise would. So if you want to get pregnant, it may be wise not to wait too long.