Gokavi Maternity & General Hospital

Ovarian Cysts

The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system.
They are located in the lower abdomen on both sides of the uterus. Women have two ovaries that produce eggs, as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Sometimes, a fluid-filled sac called a cyst will develop on one of the ovaries. Many women will develop at least one ovarian cyst in their lifetime

Types of Ovarian Cysts

There are various types of ovarian cysts, such as dermoid cysts and endometrioma cysts. However, functional cysts are the most common type.
The two types of functional cysts include follicle and corpus luteum cysts.

Follicle Cyst
During a woman’s menstrual cycle, an egg grows in a sac called a follicle. This sac is located inside the ovaries. In most cases, this follicle or sac breaks open and releases an egg. But if the follicle doesn’t break open, the fluid inside the follicle can form a cyst on the ovary.

Corpus Luteum Cysts
Follicle sacs typically dissolve after releasing an egg. But if the sac doesn’t dissolve and the opening of the follicle seals, additional fluid can develop inside the sac and this accumulation of fluid causes a cyst.

Other types of ovarian cysts include:

• dermoid cysts: sac-like growths on the ovaries that can contain hair, fat, and other tissue

• cystadenomas: non-cancerous growths that can develop on the outer surface of ovaries

• endometriomas: tissues that normally grow inside the uterus can develop outside the uterus and attach to the ovaries, resulting in a cyst

Symptoms may include:

• abdominal bloating or swelling

• painful bowel movements

• pelvic pain before or during the menstrual cycle

• painful intercourse

• pain in the lower back or thighs

• breast tenderness

• nausea and vomiting