Symptoms and signs of ovarian cysts in women, reviews

Irregular and painful periods? Frequent pain in the lower abdomen? Perhaps these are the first symptoms of an ovarian cyst. It is formed when, during menstruation, one of the two ovaries produces an egg, which during maturation does not exit the follicle into the fallopian tube. In this case, the follicle should burst. If this does not happen, then it is filled with fluid and does not exit the ovary. The first sign of an ovarian cyst (right or left) is a sudden pain that either passes, then reappears, and each time becomes more intense.

Causes

Science has not fully investigated what is the main reason for the formation of ovarian cysts. However, experts have revealed that the disease affects the condition of the cells and sex hormones of a woman. The picture of the course of the ovarian cyst is often accompanied by inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs. Factors that provoke the body to form ovarian cysts are listed below:

• excessive use of nicotine and alcohol;
• body weight more or less than normal;
• frequent changes in climate and time zones, which leads to a violation of the daily routine;
• persistent depression and stress;
• overwork and lack of sleep;
• early onset of sexual activity;
• excessively large physical exertion.

The first symptoms (signs) of ovarian cysts in women appear as a result of exposure to the body of various external factors.

Every woman should know that no one is protected from the formation of ovarian cysts, so it is worth listening to the manifestations of the above reasons. A gynecologist, using modern instrumental methods, is able to diagnose a problem in a woman of any age. If you care about health, then regularly conduct tests of the reproductive system.

What are the signs of ovarian cysts in women?

If you begin to notice aching pains in your lower abdomen, increased pain during sexual intercourse, nausea, vomiting, pain during urination, heaviness in the lower abdomen, then consult a doctor immediately. A triggered cyst can lead to removal of the ovary and permanently deprive a woman in the future of the opportunity to have a baby, and can also lead to serious health problems. In rare cases, even death is possible.

Complications

An ovarian cyst is an formation due to the retention of fluid, blood, fat, etc. in one of the cavities. It resembles a bubble filled with certain contents. If you do not go to the doctor and start the disease, then this can lead to serious consequences, such as:

• removal of the neoplasm with the ovary;
• cyst rupture;
• development of oncological diseases;
• violation of the performance of internal organs;
• the appearance of gynecological diseases.

Diagnostics

The ovarian cyst is diagnosed by the following methods.

1. Gynecological examination. By a simple examination and questioning of the patient, the gynecologist can determine the signs of an ovarian cyst (right or left). It also allows you to determine the increase in appendages. However, this method can determine the cyst only provided that it is large. Much depends on its location. This diagnostic method has drawbacks, for example, a doctor may confuse inflammation of the tubes with a cyst. Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis, more advanced instrumental diagnostic paths are prescribed.
2. Ultrasound A non-traumatic informative method that allows not only to determine the presence of a cyst, but also to monitor its development.
3. Laparoscopy of the ovaries. The most accurate method, so when you use it, the ovaries are evaluated visually. After completing the diagnosis, the doctor, by the same method, introduces the instruments to the cyst formation site and carries out its removal.
4. If a gynecological examination revealed a volumetric formation in the uterus, then a pregnancy test is initially performed to determine an ectopic pregnancy.
5. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. These methods specify the type of cyst, its benignness or malignant condition, size, borders and other necessary parameters.
   

Can I get pregnant with an ovarian cyst?

The possibility of pregnancy depends on the size of the cyst itself. Since ovulation is necessary for the onset of pregnancy, and in the presence of a follicular cyst (more than 3 centimeters) this process is difficult, the onset of pregnancy also becomes difficult.

However, the likelihood of pregnancy remains high if there are several follicles. This is due to the fact that even if one of them is occupied by a cyst, the second can still participate in the pregnancy process. The hormonal background of a woman with the development of a cyst can also affect this. After all, the body secretes estradiol, which negatively affects follicle-stimulating hormone, which at a low level of content will not lead to the growth of new follicles.

Another negative sign of an ovarian cyst (left or right) during pregnancy is that there is a risk of rupture. Although most often with small sizes of the cyst there is no effect on the development of the fetus, such patients are prescribed regular monitoring with ultrasound. A cyst is removed during pregnancy only in extreme cases, for example, with a tear. For this, the laparoscopic method is most often used. For pain relief, intravenous anesthesia is used.

Cyst rupture

An ovarian cyst sometimes gives a rupture complication. This process is accompanied by the release of the contents of the cyst and hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity. It occurs in both women and adolescent girls, and among the acute pathological conditions it occupies the third place and makes up ten percent. According to statistics, about half of the gaps are accompanied by complications. Moreover, the rupture of the cyst occurs regardless of the cause of the formation.

The first and most important sign (symptom) of a bursting ovarian cyst is a sharp persistent pain. Often a rupture occurs at the time of ovulation. At this time, a functional cyst forms near the ovary, in which rapid tissue circulation begins. They swell and burst. Rupture of an ovarian cyst also leads to the formation of adhesions and infertility. The right side of the ovary, as a rule, receives better blood circulation than the left. This explains why tears occur more often on the right side.

To aggravate the situation of hemorrhage in the abdominal cavity, a bleeding disorder in a woman can. Therefore, such patients should, in the presence of ovarian cysts, avoid heavy loads or injuries during intercourse.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy of an ovarian cyst is an surgical removal with minimal trauma. This is due to the fact that the intervention in the uterus is done through small incisions of no more than 10 mm in size. Such a small incision is achieved through the use of special tools that are inserted into the abdominal cavity.

A cutting tool is inserted into the first section, a video camera through the second, forceps through the third, and a drainage tube is lowered into the fourth to drain the fluid released during the operation. The video camera as part of the tools allows you to visually monitor the progress of the operation. This makes it possible to carry out the procedure while maintaining the health of the body and without heavy blood loss. The volume of healthy ovarian tissue removed is determined by the physician during the operation. To simplify this choice, the doctor has the right to prescribe instrumental studies. If they showed that malignancy of the ovarian cyst occurs, then the volume of tissue removed will certainly increase.

The main advantages of this operation:

• minimal damage to healthy tissues;
• lack of large scars afterwards;
• due to the minimum amount of damage - fast recovery.
  

Types of Cysts

Ovarian cysts are divided into the following types.

• Functional ovarian cyst. It is formed when the ripened follicle for some reason does not rupture and its contents are not released outside. Such follicular ovarian cysts can disappear on their own within a few months.
• Cyst of a temporary gland of internal secretion. In the female body, it occurs when the corpus luteum in the ovaries continues to function without ovulation. Such ovarian cysts are able to decrease in size over a couple of months.
• Luteal ovarian cysts . According to statistics, they occur much less frequently than the above. Their occurrence, in most cases, occurs in connection with pregnancy disorders in the early stages, namely, in the corpus luteum, a sufficient amount of luteal hormone is not produced. Cysts go away on their own if the pregnancy is terminated.
• Ovarian cyst, formed during endometriosis. It occurs when the uterine mucosa grows and begins to function outside, for example, in the ovaries. The mucosa in the ovary is able to act as a normal mucosa if it was located in the uterine cavity. Changes in the level of hormones in endometriosis cause growth and bleeding of the mucosa. The released blood does not go outside, but forms an ovarian cyst increasing with each cycle.
• Dermoid ovarian cyst. Cells of the integumentary epithelium that enter the ovary during the embryonic period cause a dermoid cyst. It is formed as a result of the fact that the cells of the integumentary epithelium for some reason begin to multiply and grow. More often, the dermoid cyst is covered by a "capsule", and the contents of the cyst are located under it in the fat glands.
• Precancerous. This is a condition of ovarian cysts that becomes transient from a functional cyst. Beginning cystic cancer is less common than other ovarian pathologies that develop from their various tissues. Such conditions can be either benign or malignant. More common in women over thirty years of age.
• Malignant cysts. Diagnosed with the onset of menopause. Their treatment involves surgery.
  

Pharmacology

When the gynecologist is convinced that the cyst is not in the form of a tumor, he prescribes conservative treatment and prescribes medications to the patient. Most often these are hormonal drugs based on progesterone. This hormone is responsible for the second stage of the menstrual cycle. As a rule, such drugs are taken orally.

Progesterone is used to restore the normal course of the menstrual cycle, which is also a good measure to prevent the formation of cysts. Depending on the method of preparation, progesterones are divided into natural and synthetic. Synthetic hormonal drugs are more active than natural ones.

The following medicines contain natural progesterone: Postinor, Escapel and Escinor. Synthetic components are found in drugs such as Dydrogesterone, Norethisterone, Linesternol, Medroxyprogesterone, Dienogost, Gestiron and Desogestrel.

All of the above drugs are metabolized in the liver. When using progesterone-based drugs, growth of the ovarian cyst is stopped and its development is reversed, up to full retraction. But do not forget about the regular ultrasound scan to monitor the stage of development of the cyst in order to prevent the formation of cancerous conditions. Against the background of taking drugs, fever, soreness and an increase in the mammary glands are possible. These symptoms usually disappear within a month of admission. If this does not happen, then you should consult your doctor for advice.

Also, the doctor has the right to prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, such as "Ibuprofen" or "Voltaren." It must be remembered: such drugs exacerbate the condition of the stomach in the presence of an ulcer.

In addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, antimicrobials are also used. Medications are prescribed in a complex in order to obtain the maximum effect from the treatment. Before using them, you should consult a gynecologist, especially if you have planned a pregnancy.

The prognosis for the treatment of ovarian cysts with medications is usually positive. If the cyst is small and does not recur, then you can get rid of it within a month. If it has reached a large size, then the gynecologist often prescribes an operation, especially if the woman has planned a pregnancy.

Grandma’s Recipes

Folk remedies can only be used with a positive recommendation from the attending physician. It is important after such treatment to do an ultrasound regularly to determine the condition of the cyst. The following are folk remedies for treating ovarian cysts.

• Mix the warmed vegetable oil with a small piece of propolis. After boiling, add the yolk to the mixture. When it becomes homogeneous, remove from heat and strain. The resulting mixture is stored in the refrigerator. Before use, it must be heated. Then, the swab soaked in the mixture is placed in the vagina. It is advisable to leave the swab overnight. An event is required every day for a month.
• Four tablespoons of acacia flowers insist in half a liter of vodka for a week. At this time, this mixture should be shaken regularly. After a week tincture, strain the mixture and drink a tablespoon three times a day before meals.
• Pitted raisins pour 0.5 liters of vodka. The resulting mixture was put in a dark place for infusion for two weeks. During tincture, the container must also be shaken regularly. After two weeks, the mixture is filtered and stored in a cold place. Drinking such an infusion is recommended for a month three times a day before meals.

Judging by the reviews, the signs of ovarian cysts in women are the same for all. The main thing is to diagnose the disease in time and conduct treatment. Otherwise, the consequences can be dire.