Gonads are paired organs of the reproductive system. One of the common pathologies that affects them is a cyst. Such an ailment occurs in forty percent of the fairer sex. The disease is not accompanied by severe symptoms. She is usually diagnosed during an ultrasound, with a routine examination. What is the danger of a cyst on the ovary in a woman?
What is a pathology?
The disease is a benign tumor. A cyst is a neoplasm filled with fluid that looks like a bubble on a leg. It can consist of either one or several cameras. Many tumors of this kind are considered functional, that is, they arise and disappear without disturbing the functions of the body. However, some neoplasms can have threatening consequences. What is the danger of a cyst on the ovary in a woman?
Tumors that reach large sizes can affect neighboring organs. Does the neoplasm pose a threat to life and health? The answer to this question depends on the type of cyst.
Development reasons
This tumor occurs as a result of the accumulation of secretion in the tissues of the sex gland. The ovarian wall is covered by a layer of cells that secrete this fluid. As a rule, women of childbearing age have cysts that are not dangerous. They appear as a result of imbalance in hormones and disappear after a few months. Typically, such neoplasms are diagnosed in women from 16 to 45 years old. During menopause, the likelihood of developing an ailment decreases.
Pathology arises as a result of many reasons, for example:
- Early onset of critical days, impaired egg maturation.
- Diseases of the urinary system.
- Inflammation of the reproductive system.
- Disorders of the endocrine glands.
- Artificial abortion.
- Emotional overload.
Each patient who has been given this diagnosis is interested in the question of whether an ovarian cyst is dangerous in women. There is no definite answer to it. Features of the pathology depend on the type of disease and the size of the tumor.
The main types of neoplasms
A cyst is a broad concept. There are many types of such tumors. Neoplasms differ in structure, have characteristic features and require different methods of therapy. The main types of cysts include:
- Follicular.
- Endometrial.
- Cysts of the corpus luteum.
- Dermoid
- Steam breeding.
In addition, tumors are divided into functional and organic. The first category does not pose a serious danger. Such cysts can be cured in a few months with hormonal medications. They do not require surgery. Organic tumors do not disappear over time. To eliminate such a pathology, surgery is necessary.
Features of functional neoplasms
A follicular cyst appears in one of the gonads. A tumor forms in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Its occurrence is explained by the fact that the follicle, instead of tearing, continues to grow. As a rule, after two to three months, the neoplasm disappears. It is not diagnosed for a long time. What is the danger of follicular ovarian cyst in women? If the size of the neoplasm reaches 5-8 centimeters, it blocks the exit to other reproductive cells, and polycystosis occurs - a disease that requires long-term therapy. In addition, large volumes of the tumor can provoke torsion of the cyst legs, and even its rupture. Timely treatment of functional pathology helps to avoid complications.
Dermoid tumor
This disease requires surgical intervention.
It is a neoplasm of a benign nature, consisting of embryonic cells. The dermoid type cyst contains fragments of hair tissue, bones, and cartilage. Tumors of this kind are rare. They grow slowly, but are able to reach large volumes and exert pressure on closely located organs. Enlarged cysts can trigger tissue necrosis. In addition, sometimes dermoid tumors become malignant. Therefore, if this pathology is detected, it is necessary to remove the neoplasm.
Endometrial cyst
Such a tumor appears as a result of the ingress of uterine tissue into the gonadal gland. The neoplasm is considered the most serious of all diseases of this kind. It is a bubble filled with a brownish liquid. What is the danger of a cyst on the ovary in a woman if it is an endometrial tumor? With an increase in volumes (up to 10 centimeters), it is able to exert pressure on closely located organs. In addition, a rupture of the neoplasm is possible, which provokes inflammation of the abdominal cavity. A patient with an endometrial cyst increases the likelihood of developing cancer of the genital gland.
Cystadenoma
This tumor is a bubble filled with serous contents. The size of the neoplasm can be both small and very large (from 0.5 to 32 centimeters). Small cysts do not manifest themselves in any way. An increase in tumor volume is accompanied by discomfort. Even a small neoplasm can give complications such as torsion of the legs, sepsis, necrosis, transformation into a cancer pathology. Therefore, when a cystadenoma is detected, the doctor, as a rule, directs the patient to surgery.
Corpus luteum cyst
This type of neoplasm is considered the most rare. It is a fold on the inner surface of the genital gland, formed from its tissues. Inside the tumor is a yellowish liquid with an admixture of blood. A neoplasm, as a rule, is diagnosed in representatives of the weaker sex aged 16 to 50 years. Why do ovarian cysts appear in women? The causes of a corpus luteum tumor are hormonal changes, the inflammatory process in the area of the appendages. Sometimes pathology develops during the period of bearing a child.
Parovarial cyst
Such a tumor is located close to the genital gland, in the area of the appendage. Pathology, as a rule, occurs in patients from 20 to 40 years. The volume of the neoplasm can be both small and very large. Growing in size, the tumor puts pressure on closely located organs, causing discomfort. The reasons for the development of pathology are unknown. As a method of therapy, surgical intervention is used without removal of the sex gland.
Signs of pathology
At the initial stage of development, the tumor does not manifest itself. You can detect a neoplasm at a routine examination, which should be done regularly by any representative of the weaker sex.
However, sometimes an ailment immediately leads to a deterioration in well-being. The first signs of ovarian cysts in women include the following:
- Discomfort in the lower abdomen, which is pulling in nature.
- Disruptions in the cycle of menstruation (delay of critical days, bleeding between menstruation).
- Unpleasant sensations with intimate contacts.
- Difficulty urinating.
- A set of extra pounds.
Signs of complications
What is the danger of a cyst on the ovary in a woman? The consequence of this pathology can be torsion of the legs of the tumor, the formation of pus in the tissues of the sex gland and their necrosis, rupture of the neoplasm, and the ingress of fluid into the abdominal cavity. What signs indicate the development of complications? Dangerous symptoms include the following:
- Sudden discomfort of a cutting nature that occurs with intimate contact or physical exertion.
- The temperature rises to 39-40 degrees Celsius.
- The tension of the anterior wall of the peritoneum.
- Frequent urine output.
- Nausea, bouts of vomiting.
- Acceleration of the heart rhythm.
- Pale skin tone.
- Low blood pressure.
- Fainting.
Not everyone knows what a dangerous size an ovarian cyst is in women. Typically, the volume of the neoplasm reaches 8-10 centimeters. Larger tumors pose a threat to health and life. However, one should not forget that torsion of the legs is possible even if the cyst is small. Such a complication requires immediate medical attention.
If there are signs, you need to call an ambulance.
Diagnostic Methods
The cyst of the right genital gland is quite common, and its symptomatology resembles the manifestations of other diseases. This pathology is often confused with the inflammatory process in the liver, gall bladder, and acute appendicitis. After all, these ailments are also accompanied by a feeling of nausea, fever, vomiting, weakness, and the appearance of pain in the peritoneum. What is the danger of a right ovarian cyst in women? At the initial stage, such a pathology is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms. However, an increase in tumor volume can lead to spontaneous rupture. If you suspect the presence of an ailment, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis, which includes:
- Inspection, palpation of the abdominal cavity.
- Analyzes of biological material (urine, blood).
- Ultrasonography.
Therapies
Speaking about the danger of a woman’s ovarian cyst, it should be noted that this pathology often causes infertility. Therefore, treatment of this disease should be carried out as soon as possible. Doctors recommend vitamins B, A, K, E, ascorbic acid as methods of therapy. Often the cause of a cyst in the right ovary in women or a tumor in the left genital gland is an imbalance in hormones. In such cases, oral contraceptives are prescribed.
If there are indications for surgery, minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy) is possible.