Few people know what an ovarian cyst really is. At its core, it is a bubble filled with liquid. What is a functional ovarian cyst and what are the consequences of its occurrence?
This type of neoplasm received its name due to its ability to be temporary (functional) in nature. It is formed due to minor disturbances in the ovary. The lifespan of such a cyst is usually relatively small. It can be 1-2 months. Typically, such a formation loses shape and shrinks in size already during the onset of the next menstruation. Over time, it completely disappears. All transformations that a functional ovarian cyst undergoes can be detected only with the help of ultrasound.
If such a disease is detected, many women experience panic. Of course, there is no reason for joy, but do not worry too much about the formation of this type of cyst. As a rule, a functional ovarian cyst, the symptoms whose treatment is monitored by your doctor, most often does not require surgery. Moreover, such neoplasms can even be systematic. In this case, a functional ovarian cyst will require the advice of a gynecologist-endocrinologist.
A cyst is a sac formed on the surface of the ovary. Its formation occurs during ovulation. The pouch contains a mature egg. As a rule, it completely disappears when the egg leaves its limits. When the ripened egg does not exit or the pouch closes after it has been released, it may fill with liquid. Functional ovarian cysts differ from other formations that occur in the ovaries. The vast majority of such cysts are absolutely safe.
What causes the appearance of this type of cyst? They arise with changes in the formation and exit of the egg from the follicle. There are 2 types of such cysts:
- follicular (formed at the moment when the egg does not come out, and the sac with it is filled with liquid);
- luteal (formed when the resulting sac releases the egg and closes again, while filling it with liquid).
These cysts practically do not cause symptoms, but disappear without surgical treatment. Drug treatment is required only if such a cyst begins to increase. In this case, it may bleed and burst. At this point, pain in the lower abdomen (mainly from the ovary with a neoplasm) in the middle of the cycle and a violation of menstruation (delay or bleeding) are manifested.
A functional ovarian cyst, the treatment of which may still be required, has the following symptoms:
- severe, sharp pain, often accompanied by nausea, turning into vomiting;
- pain that occurs during sex;
- bleeding.
Diagnosis of a functional ovarian cyst is carried out during gynecological examinations and with the help of pelvic ultrasound. After a time after the discovery of such a formation, a second examination will be required. It can be made in a couple of months. In the event that during this time the cyst has not completely disappeared, therapeutic treatment may be necessary. During its implementation, medications are used to relieve pain, and a simple operation is performed to surgically remove the cyst. In some cases, hormonal treatment may be prescribed, consisting in taking birth control pills that suppress the ovulation process. Such therapy is a method of preventing the formation of new functional cysts.