OVARIAN CYSTS

OVARIAN CYSTS TREATMENT & CARE AT JFC

A fluid-filled Sac that grow inside or on top of one or both ovaries, Ovarian Cyst are usually asymptomatic. However pain in the abdomen or pelvis is common.

When it comes to the size of an Ovarian Cyst, it said to be variable, ranging from less than one inch up to 4 inches and can also from extremely large masses that measure 12 inches or more in diameter.

OVARIAN CYSTS – WHAT CAUSES IT AND ALL THAT?

TYPES OF CYSTS

• FOLLICULAR CYST: It takes place wherein a follicle does not release an egg during ovulation and instead continues to fill it with fluid inside the ovary.
• CORPUS LUTEUM CYST: It takes place where the follicle releases the egg but the sac seals up again and swells with fluids or blood instead of getting dissolved.

RISK FACTORS

The following factors are said to be potential risk-factors that can lead to formation of an Ovarian Cyst in a woman.

• History of previous Ovarian Cysts.
• Irregular menstrual cycles.
• Infertility.
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
• Endometriosis.
• Obesity.
• Early Menstruation (which could be 11 years or younger).
• Hyperthyrouation.
• Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer.

SYMPTOMS

An Ovarian Cyst usually does not produce symptoms. They are found out during a routine physical examination or during an incidental finding on an ultrasound performed for other reasons.

Symptoms can however be present with large cysts or ruptured cysts, which are variable and may include:

• Pain with sexual intercourse, especially with deep penetration.
• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain, which may be intermittent or severe, sudden and sharp.
• Irregular menstrual periods.
• Feeling of lower abdominal or pelvic pressure or fullness.
• Chronic pelvic pain or low back pain throughout the menstrual cycle.
• Pelvic pain following a stint of exercise or vigorous activity.
• Pain or pressure with urination or bowel movement.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Vaginal pain or spotty bleeding from the woman’s Vagina.
• Infertility.
• Problems with bowel movements OR feeling of pressure to have a bowel movement.
• Problems with the control of urination.
• Abdominal tenderness OR Abdominal distension.
• Bloating.
• Feeling of abdominal fullness.
• Heartburn OR Indigestion OR Feeling of fullness early when eating.

Among the symptoms, the following need immediate medical attention with the doctors at Juhi Fertility Centre (JFC).

• Severe abdominal pain that occurs all of a sudden.
• Fainting.
• Weakness OR Dizziness.
• Rapid breathing.
• Abdominal Pain that takes place with vomiting and a fever.

When it comes to a ruptured Ovarian Cyst, they typically cause severe pain that occurs all of a sudden and occurs most commonly during a mid-menstrual cycle or during a period of sexual intercourse or a session of exercising.

TREATMENTS FOR OVARIAN CYSTS AT JFC

When it comes to treatment for Ovarian Cyst at Juhi Fertility Centre (JFC), the following procedures are followed:

MEDICATIONS

• Pain relievers like Ibuprofen. They can be used to help reduce pain. However they do not help dissolve the Ovarian Cyst, and can only provide relief to the symptoms.
• Hormonal birth-control pills that helps to prevent ovulation and decrease the risk of formation of new cysts

TREATMENTS

• Surgery to remove the Fibroid using a Hysteroscope.
• Laparoscopy or ‘Keyhole’ surgery to remove the Fibroid through the abdomen.
• Open-surgery via an abdominal incision to remove larger fibro.

In case the Ovarian Cyst continues to grow and does not resolve on its own and also appears suspicious on Ultrasound OR is causing symptoms, then the doctors at JFC may recommend its removal through surgery.

They could be recommended for post-menopausal women with worrisome cysts since there is the risk of Ovarian cancer occurring with the aging of the woman. In such a case the Ovarian Cyst will be removed surgically by the doctors at JFC by Laparoscopy OR Laparotomy.

While Laparoscopy involves the removal of the Ovarian Cyst through several incisions in the abdomen following which the surgeon at JFC will use a camera and specialized instruments for removing the Cyst. On the other hand, Laparotomy (is advisable for removing Cysts that are large or if the doctor suspects that the woman has cancer) involves a large abdominal incision.

In some cases of Ovarian Cysts, an Ovary and/or other tissues will have to be removed.