Almost every woman is faced with cysts formed on the ovaries during her life. The main cause of the pathology is hormonal failure. A luteal ovarian cyst can periodically occur in women of reproductive age. Is this neoplasm dangerous for the patient’s life and how to get rid of it? This will be discussed in the article.
Pathology Basics
A luteal cyst is one of the types of functional benign formations on the ovaries. It forms after the egg has left the follicle. At this point, the woman is ovulating. After this, a yellow body forms from the remaining follicle capsule, which, with a favorable outcome, will be responsible for the safety of pregnancy. If conception in this cycle did not happen, then it simply resolves.
If hormonal failure occurs, then a cyst may grow in place of the corpus luteum. It will be sent out internally by luteal cells. Liquid may accumulate in the cyst, this is normal. Most often, luteal neoplasms resolve on their own. This type of cyst is formed only in the 2nd half of the menstrual cycle. If a woman has one follicle matured, then the neoplasm will be the only one.
Cyst of the right or left ovary
Usually, pathology does not cause a woman severe discomfort. She may not even realize that in this cycle she formed a luteal cyst. It does not matter on which side the neoplasm appeared, the course of the disease will be the same. Luteal cyst of the right ovary is more common. But the course of the disease does not depend on the location of the neoplasm, but on its size.
By the time of ovulation in a woman, with rare exceptions, more than 1 egg cell matures, therefore, in 1 cycle, only 1 cyst most often forms. Even if the patient is sure that she has a neoplasm, her location can be found only by ultrasound. If a luteal cyst is suspected, the doctor must send the woman to an ultrasound scan.
Reasons for development
The appearance of a follicular luteal cyst is often caused by hormonal failure in the female body. Due to the imbalance, the ovaries begin to work incorrectly, because of this, a benign neoplasm occurs. The main reasons provoking the development of luteal cysts:
- stressful situations;
- overwork;
- abortion;
- high workloads;
- infections
- inflammatory diseases;
- hormonal pathologies;
- weight significantly higher than normal;
- underweight;
- choosing the wrong method of contraception.
In some cases, neoplasms appear after taking medications. Some hormonal drugs stimulate ovulation, but at the same time they greatly increase the risk of developing a luteal cyst of the left ovary or the right. The use of oral contraceptives in some cases can also lead to the appearance of a neoplasm.
Symptoms
Most often, a woman does not even suspect that she develops a luteal cyst. This neoplasm usually does not produce any symptoms. The main cause of luteal cysts is hormonal failure. The neoplasm develops in the second half of the cycle, and a woman can attribute the unpleasant symptoms to the approaching menstruation.
Signs indicating the appearance of a luteal cyst:
- increased sensitivity of the mammary glands;
- delay of menstruation;
- nausea;
- fast fatiguability;
- drowsiness;
- sensation of pressure in the ovary;
- pain.
In most cases, with the appearance of a neoplasm, a woman does not feel any symptoms. Most often, a luteal cyst is accidentally found by a doctor during an ultrasound scan. Often a small cyst does not manifest itself at all and soon resolves on its own.
Dimensions of a benign neoplasm
Most often, luteal cysts are small, only occasionally they can reach 10 cm in diameter. But such large neoplasms are extremely rare. Small cysts usually do not give any symptoms, so they develop imperceptibly for a woman. The patient's warning signs are noticed only with neoplasms more than 3 cm.
Cyst rupture
Sometimes a benign neoplasm bursts. Rupture of a luteal cyst can be associated with a torsion of its legs or high physical exertion. At that moment, when the neoplasm bursts, the fluid contained in it enters the abdominal cavity of a woman. This is very dangerous, as the tissues of the internal organs become inflamed, which can even lead to the death of the patient.
Symptoms of rupture of a luteal cyst:
- sharp severe pain;
- temperature rise;
- inability to straighten up;
- spasms of the internal organs.
Sometimes it is not the benign neoplasm itself that bursts, but only the vessels in it. If the released blood cannot break through the wall of the luteal cyst and leak into the abdominal cavity, then it will remain inside. This variant of the event is extremely undesirable, since in this case, a benign neoplasm can degenerate into oncology. Sometimes, against the background of a bursting luteal cyst, uterine bleeding may begin.
Treatment
On the issue of getting rid of luteal cysts, doctors most often prefer conservative therapy. An operative treatment method is prescribed only in the event of any complications. Conservative therapy must be approached comprehensively, it is very important that the patient fulfills all medical prescriptions. Treatment for a luteal cyst includes:
- physiotherapy;
- medications prescribed by a doctor;
- work on the correct routine of sleep and wakefulness;
- lifestyle changes;
- getting rid of bad habits.
If a woman has the opportunity, then it is advisable for her to undergo rehabilitation in a sanatorium. Since the most common reason for the development of a benign neoplasm is hormonal failure, the drugs prescribed by the doctor will have to be taken for a long time. Oral contraceptives "Yarina", "Janine", "Marvelon" have proven themselves well. In addition to hormonal drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen. If necessary, the doctor prescribes painkillers, for example, "Baralgin."
For prevention, a woman is recommended to reduce weight with a large body weight. Also, the patient I recommend taking vitamins and means to raise immunity. A good effect is given by visiting physiotherapy: electrophoresis, UHF, laser therapy.
Possible complications
If luteal cysts occur, a woman should regularly visit a gynecologist. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe treatment and explain how often you need to visit an ultrasound. It is not necessary to think that benign neoplasms are completely harmless - they can cause complications. For example, the cyst leg may twist. Because of this, the blood will stop flowing into the neoplasm, which will cause necrosis of the ovarian tissue.
Sometimes a cyst ruptures. It is very dangerous both for health and for a woman’s life in general. In this condition, the patient experiences severe pain. With a rupture of a luteal cyst, a woman is shown surgery. It is undesirable that inflammatory processes occur in the neoplasm, this can also cause serious complications, up to the removal of the ovary.
Does a cyst affect lifespan
This disease does not belong to the category of fatal. Serious consequences are possible only if, after rupture of a luteal cyst or torsion of its leg, a woman does not seek qualified medical help. If the patient monitors her health, then this disease will not affect the life expectancy.
But a luteal cyst can affect a woman's performance. Some patients noted that they became more lethargic and drowsy after the onset of the disease. Also, due to some unpleasant symptoms, a large luteal cyst can reduce a woman's quality of life.
Reviews of patients about treatment
Most often, luteal cysts do not bother women, because the disease usually goes away asymptomatically. Their doctors discover during a preventive ultrasound examination. Therefore, women should undergo this procedure at least once a year.
If the cyst is small, then doctors usually recommend taking oral contraceptives for a while. They rarely cause complications, so treatment is easy and safe. After the disappearance of the cyst, you need to follow the doctor’s recommendations and regularly visit the ultrasound room.