Cysts are small sacs of fluid which can occur in many places in the body, including on or in the ovaries. Many women experience ovarian cysts, although many may have no symptoms. Most ovarian cysts go away on their own, but there are some that can rupture and cause health concerns. As part of our gynecology services at FEM Women’s Wellness, we provide diagnosis and ovarian cyst treatment at our clinic in the Reno and Lake Tahoe, NV, area.
Symptoms and Causes of Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts occur normally with menstruation but disappear when the cycle finishes. These are small, functional cysts called follicles that occur when the ovary is releasing an egg during the cycle. The follicles that release eggs normally close and shrink but sometimes the follicle is blocked and becomes a larger functional cyst.
Beyond cysts caused by menstruation, there are other types of ovarian cysts. Dermoid, endometrioma and cystadenoma are types of ovarian cysts that are not related to menstruation. Risk factors include hormone imbalances, endometriosis, pregnancy and infections.
Most ovarian cysts do not cause symptoms, but if they become larger, they can rupture or become twisted. Large cysts can cause pain, pressure and bloating in the lower abdomen that comes and goes. A ruptured cyst can cause sudden pain and bleeding in the pelvis. If a cyst is too large, it can rotate the ovary out of its normal position, which can lead to twisting or ovarian torsion, causing severe pain and possible loss of blood flow to the ovary.
Ovarian Cyst Pain Relief
If you have a suspected ovarian cyst, testing and imaging can confirm whether you have a cyst. Treatment for ovarian cysts depends on the severity of symptoms and risk of rupture or torsion complications. Hormonal birth control can be helpful in preventing new cysts from forming but surgery is usually required to remove existing cysts that are causing severe pain or health risks. Ovarian cyst removal can be performed laparoscopically in most cases.
If you have symptoms of ovarian cysts and want to explore treatment options, come see us at FEM Women’s Wellness. Contact our medical center in the Carson City, Lake Tahoe and Reno area to schedule an exam with one of our GYN specialists.