Ovarian Cyst Free

Because there are many types of ovarian cysts, there are as many reasons for why they develop. The most common type is the functional ovarian cyst which is associated with ovulation and hence affects women during their reproductive years.

Functional Cysts: How they form

As part of the reproductive cycle, small cyst structures called follicles grow within your ovaries. They contain an egg and also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Halfway through the menstrual cycle, the follicle is hormonally signaled by the pituitary gland to rupture and release the egg which travels through the fallopian tube. The ruptured follicle then produces estrogen and progesterone. This sequence of events is part of your normal menstrual cycle.

Occasionally, this sequence can go wrong in two ways that cause the formation of three types of functional ovarian cysts:

1.) Follicular cyst.

If the follicle fails to release the egg, the follicle grows into a Follicular cyst. These are normally painless and harmless, and will vanish after two or three menstrual cycles.

2.) Corpus luteum cyst.

If the egg is successfully released but the ruptured follicle seals itself off rather than remaining open, it will swell up with fluid and become a Corpus luteum cyst. It will normally go away on it’s own after a few weeks. Various types of complications can arise with this type of cyst such as growing up to 4 inches across, twisting the ovary, filling up with blood and possibly rupturing. The symptoms of these complications are abdominal or pelvic pain and sudden sharp and intense pain in the case of the cyst rupturing.

3.) Hemorrhagic cyst or blood cyst.

A third type of functional cyst occurs when a small blood vessel in the wall of the cyst ruptures, flooding the cyst with blood.

Other Types of ovarian cysts and growths

Besides cysts related to the reproductive cycle, other growths can come about as a result of endometriosis. This happens when endometrial tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other parts of the body.

Still other ovarian growths can be a benign cystic tumor or cancer.

Cystadenoma cysts grow from ovary tissue, are filled with a watery or mucous like material, and can become large in size.

Polycystic ovaries result from a large number of cysts inside the ovaries and are often associated with a hormonal imbalance.

Dermoid cysts are made up of bits bone, teeth, hair and skin. A theory has it that they are the result of unfertilized eggs that grow into the different types of tissue that make up the body.

Some risk factors for developing ovarian cysts are:

1.) You’ve had previous ovarian cysts.

2.) Hormonal imbalance.

3.) Menstrual cycles are irregular.

4.) Menstruation starting before 12 years of age.

5.) Infertility.

6.) Increase in upper body fat.

Having a genetic predisposition to ovarian cysts as well as poor diet are considered general causal agents.