Women's health is a sensitive and complex topic. Having some deviations in gynecology, it is difficult for a woman to be completely satisfied with her life, since a slightly disturbing “sore” at the next moment can be a huge problem. This is especially true for those women who still have motherhood ahead. One such problem is an ovarian cyst. The causes of this disease in women are not fully defined.
general information
A cyst is a benign neoplasm that has a pathological cavity inside.
Cysts consist mainly of fluid, but are found with sebaceous secretion, and simply filled with air. There are also tumors containing pus, they are called an abscess. Cyst growth occurs with the accumulation of the substance of which it consists. Among benign formations, the cyst takes first place in the frequency and place of manifestations, as it can be on almost any human tissue or organ.
If we talk about such neoplasms in general, then congenital and acquired are distinguished.
Types of Ovarian Cysts
The process of development of cysts is slow, the size is from a few mm to a whole cm. Most often they are diagnosed in women of childbearing age with an irregular menstrual cycle.
Cysts are classified among themselves by type, distinguish them by the nature of education and content:
- Follicular.
- Cyst of the corpus luteum.
- Paraovarial.
- Endometrioid.
- Dermoid.
- Mucinous.
Causes of cysts in women
Neoplasms in the female reproductive system develop under the influence of many reasons. In each type of ovarian cysts, the causes of occurrence may vary slightly, but the common origin of all formations of this kind is identical.
- Impaired hormones.
- Endocrine dysfunction.
- Inflammatory processes in the ovaries.
- Genital infections
- Multiple artificial births.
- The onset of early menstruation.
- Irregular menstrual cycle.
Additional, but not mandatory, causes of ovarian cysts include:
- Overweight or underweight.
- Excessive use of alcohol and nicotine.
- The girl's early sexual intercourse.
- Heavy physical exertion.
- Constant stress.
- Systematic overwork.
- Climate change.
It is worth noting that there is no specific “risk group” prone to ovarian cysts. The reasons mentioned above are not always possible to exclude, especially since this disease can appear in the fair sex at any age.
Symptomatology
Quite often there are such cases when the occurrence and resorption of benign formations passes unnoticed. In the absence of symptoms and causes of an ovarian cyst in women, it is possible to identify only with the help of ultrasound and regular examination by a gynecologist.
In some cases, the symptoms are pronounced, a representative of the weaker sex needs to worry, if present:
- Pain in the lower abdomen, having a pulling character.
- Pain with active sexual contact.
- Uterine bleeding.
- Failure of the cycle of menstruation until the complete cessation.
- There is pressure on the intestines or bladder when they are empty.
- During increased physical exertion, vomiting is observed.
- Temperature above 38 ° C, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen.
Follicular cyst
One of the most common female health problems is follicular cysts. They belong to benign formations and are formed as a result of a violation of the normal activity of the ovaries. The cause of the follicular ovarian cyst is that when the egg ripens, it does not rupture and ovulation does not occur. The reason for this natural process not being realized is hormonal disorders, high physical and psycho-emotional stress, uncontrolled contraception, abortion, and sexual infections.
The growth of education occurs due to the passage of fluid from blood vessels into it or due to continued secretion. But often follicular cysts self-absorb as their secretion ends.
Corpus luteum cyst
The corpus luteum is a temporary type of gland that appears at the site of a ruptured follicle immediately after ovulation. The function of this organ is to synthesize the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for successful implantation of the embryo if pregnancy has occurred. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum is excreted into the next menstruation. The lutein pigment gives the yellow color to this organ, hence its name.
Like follicular cysts, formations on this gland are classified as functional. The reason for the appearance of the corpus luteum ovarian cyst is in impaired circulation, because of this there is an accumulation of fluid. But also the appearance of such a disease can be caused by a hormonal disorder, problems with lymphatic tissue flow, increased physical exertion, and abortion.
The corpus luteum cyst for a pregnant woman poses absolutely no danger. Quite the contrary, since a woman in position needs the hormone progesterone. The absence of a corpus luteum can provoke a miscarriage in the early stages due to hormonal deficiency.
Paraovarial cyst
A paraovarial cyst is a single-chamber cavity tumor-like neoplasm that forms from the appendage of the ovary. It is located between the fallopian tube and the ovary. Inside the cyst contains a clear liquid with a high protein content and a small presence of gland secretion. Paraovarian cysts grow slowly, but can eventually reach large sizes.
A similar formation may appear during pregnancy, but does not affect it in any way. The only moment that indicates a possible operation is when the cyst grows on the leg, and this leg twisted.
They also differ in their location:
- Paraovarial cyst of the right ovary. The causes can be inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, hormonal imbalance, repeated abortions, diseases of the endocrine system, unregulated contraception. Factors that served the development and growth of such formations can be even excessive tanning and excessively elevated body temperature.
- The causes of cysts in the left ovary with this species are exactly the same. The difference exists only in their functionality, the left appendage supplies blood to the renal artery, and the right appendage supplies the abdominal aorta.
Endometrioid cyst
A tumor of this kind consists of an accumulation of menstrual blood and a membrane of the endometrial cells in which it lies. Often identified as an expression of genital endometriosis, in this disease the cells of the mucous tissue covering the uterus from the inside grow and are located in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, vagina and abdominal cavity. The growth of bleeding endometrial tissue in the ovary leads to the formation of endometrioid ovarian cysts filled with thick dark brown contents.
In contrast to the species described above, the causes of ovarian cysts of this kind have not been fully identified.
- During menstruation, cells from the uterus fall back into the fallopian tubes.
- The introduction of uterine cells into the ovaries during ongoing operations.
- With the help of blood flow and lymph flow, cells enter the ovaries.
- Failure of hormonal processes.
- Deviation in the functioning of the immune system.
Dermoid cyst
A tumor consisting of a connective tissue membrane and a jelly-like mass with various inclusions (skin, hair, tooth fragments) is called a dermoid ovarian cyst. The reason for the occurrence lies in the theory that during the development of an embryo in the womb, a chromosomal failure can occur in which a group of cells of one embryonic layer detaches from its layer and remains in another, alien to it. Subsequently, cells unusual for this layer remain in any organs or tissues that have developed from it.
In adulthood, the alleged causes that give impetus to the development of teratoma are: a hormonal disorder associated with the onset of puberty, pregnancy or menopause. And also the trauma of internal organs can become the determining factor.
Mucinous cyst
This disease is a neoplasm filled with mucus called mucin. These benign tumors are more likely than all others to undergo degeneration into malignant neoplasms. An important sign by which mucinous cestadenoma can be determined is the multi-chamber cyst. Often this disease affects both appendages, while the tumor can reach very large sizes, expanding the abdomen to the size shown in the photo. The causes of the mucinous type of ovarian cysts are not fully understood, but several factors can be identified in which the mucinous neoplasm most often manifests itself:
- Hormonal dysfunction.
- Inflammation of the organs of the reproductive system.
- Reduced immunity.
- Late menopause.
Most often, cestadenoma is found in women from 35 years old.
Why is a cyst dangerous?
In some cases, formations can disappear on their own, in other situations, only eliminating the cause of the ovarian cyst will help. The consequences and complications of the loss of control over the growth and development of the neoplasm can be severe.
- The likelihood of malignancy of the cyst, especially if the cyst is mucinous or endometrioid.
- When the cyst legs are twisted, there is a violation of the blood supply, tissue necrosis, and inflammation of the abdominal cavity. This leads to consequences in the form of severe abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting.
- Any type of cyst has a chance of rupture, while the contents of the membrane will spill into the abdominal cavity. After this, an inflammatory process can begin, which will end in blood poisoning. The complications of the rupture can be called the appearance of adhesions, disruption of the intestines, regular abdominal pain and problems with urination. Also, rupture of large cysts threatens with complete removal of the affected ovary.
- Education on the ovaries can cause infertility in women or complicate the process of bearing a child. In addition, by preventing the normal movement of the egg, the cyst increases the risks of developing an ectopic pregnancy.
Treatment of cystic formations
Often women do not suspect for a long time that they have a cystic formation in the body. In such cases, its presence is detected either by the onset of symptoms, or when visiting an ultrasound specialist.
The choice of therapeutic methods depends on the manifestation of the symptoms, age, health status of the patient and the causes of the ovarian cyst. The treatment may be therapeutic or radical. Therapy is prescribed in the case of functional cysts and in the absence of complications. In these cases, usually prescribed medications that can even out the hormonal state, a course of vitamins, treatment with homeopathic remedies.
The doctor can also prescribe physiotherapy, diet, gymnastics.
If there is no positive effect, and the neoplasm is growing, an operation will be prescribed - removal of the formation and study of the taken material on cancer cells.
Recently, laparoscopy has become widely used. This procedure allows the patient to be operated on with a laparoscope without significant blood loss and with minimal violation of the integrity of the skin. But this method is used in the case of small cysts and only with benign formations. The undoubted advantages for the doctor is the ability to see much more than with conventional surgery.
If the doctor suspects malignancy, a laparotomy is performed. This operation involves an abdominal incision by the surgeon to gain access to the necessary organs.
Types of operations for ovarian cysts:
- Cystectomy - removal of the formation with the ability to preserve healthy tissue, after rehabilitation, the organ will be able to work normally.
- Ovarian resection - excision of the tumor along with the surrounding tissue.
- Removal of the ovary completely, sometimes performed in conjunction with the removal of the second ovary and fallopian tube.
- A biopsy is necessary to take the material for histological examination with the likelihood of malignancy.
Once formed and removed, functional cysts may reappear. Properly selected treatment and support with hormonal drugs will help to avoid this. It is also recommended to visit the gynecologist and the ultrasound room at least once a year to identify pathologies in the early stages.
The cyst is not as harmless as it seems at first glance. Especially it should be wary of women of reproductive age who do not yet have children, since the advanced stage of this tumor can cause infertility forever.