One common disease is an ovarian cyst. This disease has a number of specific symptoms. In the absence of adequate treatment, the consequences can be serious. Often among the entire set of cysts, it is follicular neoplasms in the ovaries that are the most common. They differ in a special mechanism of occurrence. What is a follicular ovarian cyst, as well as the features of the course of this disease and treatment, will be described in detail below.
Features of the disease
One of the common gynecological diseases is a follicular ovarian cyst. Symptoms and treatment for a woman can be different. They depend on the stage of development of the neoplasm, as well as many other factors.
Follicular called a cyst, which belongs to the class of functional cysts. This is almost always a one-sided tumor formation. It forms inside the ovary. Such a neoplasm is a consequence of certain processes in the body. It has a certain mechanism of education.
Follicles form in a normally functioning ovary. From the most developed of them during the ovulation period, the egg leaves. However, in some cases, this process fails. The follicle grows, develops, but as a result, the egg does not have time to leave it. In this case, a cavity with a liquid appears, which continues to grow. This is an overripe follicle. Such cysts appear in 90% of all cases of ovarian neoplasms.
Description of the cyst
The follicular ovarian cyst develops on the surface of this organ. The neoplasm has an oval or other shape. This is a capsule with different wall thickness. It is filled with liquid. Externally, the cyst resembles a pouch from 1-2 cm in size. In diameter, it can grow up to 18-20 cm.
The larger the cyst becomes, the greater the likelihood of its rupture. This is a serious threat to life. Therefore, follicular and other cysts are observed in the dynamics by a gynecologist. In most cases, such a neoplasm should take place on its own. This requires one to three menstrual cycles. In this case, no visible traces remain.
In some cases, the follicular cyst does not pass on its own. In this case, its walls are compacted. This reduces the likelihood of self-resorption of the tumor. The cyst gradually increases, which greatly complicates both its treatment and increases the risk of complications. To prevent this, the patient should undergo an ultrasound periodically. Your doctor may advise you to remove a dangerous tumor by surgery.
Symptoms
In most cases, a woman does not feel any deviations in her health during the development of a follicular ovarian cyst. Symptoms appear more often after a while. It is possible to determine that there is a follicular cyst on the ovary only after an ultrasound examination in dynamics. In this case, the neoplasm appears in the first cycle, and in the second it decreases and may disappear completely. Sometimes this process lasts for several menstrual cycles.
More often, the symptoms of such a disease appear when the cyst becomes larger, does not pass within a few menstrual cycles. A woman can feel pain in the lower abdomen. Sometimes they become very strong, but more often they are aching, dull. Severity and pressure may also be noted. During menstruation, lingering pains appear.
Also, the monthly cycle may become irregular. Nausea, dizziness, and vomiting may occur, especially after physical exertion or sexual intercourse. Pain can radiate to the rectum. When urinating, pressure may be felt in the pelvic organs. Also a symptom of such an ailment may be bleeding, pain in the vagina.
When do I need to see a doctor?
The symptoms and treatment of follicular ovarian cysts should be reviewed. Knowing them, a woman will be able to quickly respond to the appearance of some characteristic signs of such a disease. An annual examination should be done at the antenatal clinic. In this case, with the appearance of painful sensations, malfunctions of the menstrual cycle and other similar symptoms, one should not delay with going to the doctor.
However, it is urgent to go to the hospital when a number of other symptoms appear that indicate a possible development of complications. If the temperature has risen more than 38 ° C, you need to establish the cause of this phenomenon. Also, weakness, dizziness or increased fatigue should alert.
Abundant discharge with clots during menstruation is also an occasion to consult a gynecologist. If the woman's weight is below normal, with the appearance of a cyst, she may notice its increase. It is also a symptom of such a neoplasm. Male-type hairs can grow on the face. Blood pressure can vary in both directions. The doctor at the examination may feel for a seal in the abdominal cavity.
Causes
A follicular ovarian cyst of the left or right can develop for certain reasons. Today, doctors have not come to a consensus on why this disease develops. However, there are two explanations for the formation of a follicular cyst.
Violations of the functionality of the ovaries can provoke inflammatory processes that are localized in the appendages of the uterus. Such diseases provoke congestive hyperemia of the pelvic organs, as well as adnexitis, salpingitis. After gynecological interventions (abortion, abdominal surgery), a similar phenomenon also often occurs. Infectious diseases in acute form can cause a similar phenomenon.
Hormonal disbalance
The second reason for the development of follicular cysts is hormonal failure. It occurs due to prolonged or improper use of hormonal contraceptives, after childbirth, with a violation of the functions of the thyroid gland.
Also, with hyperstimulation of ovulation (infertility treatment), similar neoplasms can also appear. If the body is weakened, subjected to stress, other adverse effects, it reacts to this with a hormonal failure.
Cyst on the right or left
Follicular ovarian cyst appears under the influence of certain factors. It should be noted that most doctors agree that from which side the neoplasm appeared, the cause can be determined.
So, the cyst on the left often becomes a consequence of colitis. This disease is inflammatory in nature and develops in the small intestine. All organs are closely related. The ovaries come close to the intestines. His diseases can affect the work of these organs.
On the right, a cyst can also develop due to appendectomy. Therefore, when diagnosing the causes of the disease, a number of other organs are examined.
Menstruation delay
Knowing the causes of the follicular ovarian cyst, it should be said that it alone also provokes hormonal failure. Therefore, the appearance of such a formation only worsens the condition of the body. Cyst cells are capable of producing estrogen. This hormone is determined in increased amounts in the blood during the examination.
Estrogens contribute to cell division processes. In this way, they prevent the onset of menstruation. As a result, there may be a delay in menstruation. It may be small, only a few days. However, this should be the reason for further examination, a full diagnosis.
Menstruation, which came with a delay, brings severe pain. Allocations become plentiful and long. Clots may be present. Sometimes uterine bleeding can even be observed. In some cases, the body reacts differently to the appearance of a cyst. Early menstruation may begin. This is also a pathology that requires an examination.
Complications
Most often, the follicular cyst passes independently. However, in some cases, it remains in place, gradually increasing in size. This situation is dangerous by the appearance of complications. One of them is rupture of the follicular ovarian cyst. In this case, you need to call an ambulance. A cavity operation is performed. If you do not take timely action, the risk of peritonitis is great.
Also, the ovary with a cyst can twist. In this case, necrosis develops. The situation requires urgent surgical intervention. Sometimes not only a cyst, but also an ovary can burst. In this case, without timely surgical intervention, a woman may die from internal bleeding.
Causes of cyst rupture
The follicular ovarian cyst of the right or left can rupture. This is a serious threat to life and health. Therefore, women who have a follicular cyst need to fulfill a number of requirements to prevent this. The fact is that in such neoplasms, the walls can be very thin. This explains why this type of cyst is opened more often than others.
Most often, the gap occurs during ovulation. However, this is not excluded in other phases of the cycle. Cyst rupture can be caused by trauma, a blow to the abdomen, active sports, increased stress or heavy lifting. Rough sexual intercourse can also lead to rupture of the cyst. Internal inflammation, hormonal failure increase the likelihood of such a complication.
Therefore, women who are observed by a gynecologist, when a follicular cyst is detected, should exclude strength exercises. Do not carry heavy bags, lift weights, or move furniture. You also can not jump. In public transport it is advisable to ride while sitting. If there are no seats, it is better to wait for another bus or tram.
Symptoms of cyst rupture
Treatment of a follicular ovarian cyst, which has opened, can only be surgical. You need to act promptly. There are a number of symptoms that indicate the need to call an ambulance.
When the cyst ruptures, a sharp and severe abdominal pain appears. She can concentrate in the lower abdomen or from only one side. Sometimes the pain radiates to the rectum or spreads throughout the abdomen. Diarrhea may appear. The anterior wall of the peritoneum is tense.
A sharp abdominal pain is explained by the pouring of liquid from the capsule into the abdominal cavity. Vomiting may open, weakness and dizziness appear. Sometimes spotting appears. Blood pressure drops. With an increase in temperature, we can talk about the development of inflammation (peritonitis).
Treatment
Depending on the characteristics of the course of the disease, the doctor determines how to treat the follicular ovarian cyst. First, the doctor conducts a diagnosis. With palpation, he can feel for a large cyst. It has a diameter of 5-8 cm. In this case, the cause is determined, which led to the appearance of such a neoplasm. If there are signs of hormonal failure, medication is prescribed.
Also, a woman takes vitamins, monitors her diet. Diets at this time are strictly prohibited. The diet should be balanced. It is better to reduce the consumption of coffee, sweet and starchy foods. It is recommended to add protein foods, fruits and vegetables, cereals to the diet.
For 3 months, the woman constantly visits the gynecologist and makes an ultrasound at the specified frequency. If the cyst does not disappear, but only grows, this situation requires surgical intervention.
Operation
Treatment of follicular ovarian cysts, which did not disappear during 3 menstrual cycles, did not decrease, special. In this case, it is recommended to consult a surgeon. If there are no complications, and the size of the cyst does not exceed 9 cm in diameter, a laparoscopic operation is indicated. In this case, there are practically no scars, and the healing process does not last very long.
Laparoscopy involves the introduction through small incisions in the peritoneum of the tube, which delivers a special gas. The stomach is inflated. Using a camera on a long wire, the doctor examines the internal organs of the small pelvis. Also, with the help of a special tool, the surgeon excises the cyst, gently pulling it out. With this operation, the likelihood of complications is minimal. After a few days, the patient is discharged. She can move independently within 12-14 hours after the operation.
If the cyst is large or it has complications, then abdominal surgery is performed. The scars in this case will be larger, and the recovery process takes longer. Therefore, it is recommended to undergo a laparoscopic operation, without waiting for the cyst to burst or the ovary to twist.
Having examined the features, symptoms, causes and methods of treatment of follicular ovarian cysts, we can conclude that timely diagnosis and proper treatment give high results.