Ovarian Cyst In Women - Causes, Signs And Symptoms Of Left And Right Ovarian Cysts In Women. Consequences And Rupture Of The Cyst

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Causes and symptoms of left and right ovarian cysts in women

Definition of disease

Content:

• Signs and symptoms of an ovarian cyst
• Ovarian cyst examinations and tests
• Ovarian cyst causes
• Can you get pregnant with an ovarian cyst?
• Ovarian cyst rupture
• Laparoscopy (removal of an ovarian cyst)

An ovarian cyst in women is a fluid-filled bulge that forms on the surface of one or both of a woman's ovaries, in most cases from a follicle. Anatomically, a cyst looks like a thin-walled sac-like cavity. The dimensions of this formation range from a few to 15-20 millimeters in diameter.

In 90% of cases, the cyst is functional, or follicular. The reason for its appearance is the "overripe" of the follicle - a special education in which the female reproductive cell develops. The thing is that each menstrual cycle, one of the two ovaries normally produces one egg, which, when mature, must leave the follicle into the fallopian tube, and the torn follicle becomes a corpus luteum, producing the hormone progesterone. This is the essence of ovulation.

A cyst forms if the follicle does not rupture, but fills with fluid and remains in the ovary. Sometimes its size begins to create inconvenience, blocking the exit into the fallopian tube and causing discomfort. But most often the follicular cyst resolves during the next menstruation, without leaving any visible traces.

A functional cyst can also be provoked by the expansion of the corpus luteum. It has the same principles of formation and is called a corpus luteum cyst.

Another type of functional cyst is a hemorrhagic cyst, when blood vessels burst inside the follicle or corpus luteum and hemorrhage occurs, accompanied by pain.

There is also a dysontogenetic cyst, which forms as a result of disturbances in the growth and development of the ovaries during puberty, as well as a tumor cyst, which gives rise to ovarian cancer.

Signs and symptoms of ovarian cysts in women

Usually, the ovarian cyst does not make itself felt and decreases until it disappears completely in a few monthly cycles. It can be detected using ultrasound of the pelvic organs. Only occasionally is the appearance of a cyst marked by one or more of the following symptoms:

• pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes very strong and acute;
• heaviness, pressure in the pelvic region;
• lingering pain during menstruation;
• irregular monthly cycle;
• nausea, vomiting after intense exercise or intercourse;
• pressure while emptying your bladder or rectum;
• pain in the vagina, accompanied by bleeding.

At the same time, there are signs that, accompanied with the above symptoms, indicate that it is time to see a doctor:

• temperature over 38 ° C;
• weakness and dizziness;
• profuse discharge during menstruation;
• an increase in the volume of the abdomen;
• male-pattern facial hair growth;
• intense thirst with copious urination;
• abnormal blood pressure;
• uncontrolled weight loss;
• a palpable seal in the abdominal cavity;

Ovarian cyst examinations and tests

To diagnose this pathology, use:

1. CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

2. Transvaginal ultrasound examination.

3. Laparoscopy, with the accompanying removal of the cyst upon detection.

4. Analysis of hormones: LH and FSH, estrogen and testosterone.

5. Puncture of the Douglas pocket (posterior vaginal fornix) in case of suspected internal bleeding due to rupture of the cyst.

6. Analysis for tumor marker CA-125 to exclude ovarian cancer.

7. Also, pregnancy tests are mandatory, not only because the treatment of pregnant and non-pregnant women is different, but also to exclude an ectopic pregnancy, the symptoms of which are similar to those of an ovarian cyst.

Causes of ovarian cysts in women

Unfortunately, the physiological mechanisms of the appearance of an ovarian cyst have not yet been fully understood. Most doctors are inclined to believe that pathology occurs with hormonal disruptions, inflammatory processes and apoptosis (programmed cell death).

According to statistics, the formation of an ovarian cyst occurs in 7% of sexually mature women, including after menopause. The appearance of this pathology is associated with the menstrual cycle and does not depend on the age and health of the woman, therefore it is logical that after menopause, an ovarian cyst is a very rare occurrence. Nevertheless, the effect of a cyst on a woman's body is different in nature and depends on many factors. For example, cysts that appear due to the use of drugs that stimulate the work of the ovaries, despite the large number, disappear in several menstrual cycles without consequences.

In the case when the cyst is reinforced by risk factors: stress, sexually transmitted infections, artificial termination of pregnancy, obesity, smoking, early menarche, late onset of menopause, consequences such as tumor processes, a decrease in reproductive function up to infertility, miscarriage are possible.

Therefore, we can conclude that the risk of a cyst increases due to:

• irregular menstrual cycles;
• the appearance of early menstruation (before the age of 11)
• hormonal disorders (eg hypothyroidism);
• the appearance of a cyst in the past
• treating breast cancer with tamoxifen;
• operations on the organs of the reproductive system;
• smoking;
• obesity;
• infertility.

Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences Ter-Ovakimyan Armen Eduardovich will tell you about the causes of cysts:

Can you get pregnant with an ovarian cyst?

In general, the reproductive function is not impaired due to the appearance of a functional ovarian cyst. Moreover, pregnancy contributes to the quickest disappearance of pathology. Actually, during pregnancy, a cyst appears extremely rarely, since at this time, usually, follicles are not formed.

If the cyst is in the ovary and you want to get pregnant, there are many factors to consider. In general, as mentioned above, an ovarian cyst is most often the result of stopping the ovulation process. A follicle that has become a cyst does not "release" an egg into the fallopian tubes, cluttering the ovary and preventing other, new follicles from developing normally. Therefore, if unsuccessful attempts at conception are found, examination for the presence of cysts can establish their cause. Normally, such a cyst regresses in two or three menstrual cycles, and pregnancy becomes feasible.

However, it is necessary to be constantly monitored by a doctor. If a woman of reproductive age has:

• a cyst larger than 8 centimeters in diameter;
• no signs of cyst regression;
• increased content of the CA-125 tumor marker,

- then a laparoscopy is prescribed, the cyst is removed and sent for histological analysis.

Before laparoscopy, gastroscopy, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, and colonoscopy are required to differentiate the ovarian cyst from other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and other abdominal organs.

But let's return to the normal situation when pregnancy occurs against the background of an ovarian cyst (keep in mind that a corpus luteum cyst during pregnancy is a physiological norm, so all of the following does not apply to this variety). Observation of patients in this condition (usually this happens without planning pregnancy and preliminary examination) shows that approximately 4% required urgent surgery. The problem is the twisting of the cyst pedicle and rupture of the ovarian cyst due to the pressure and growth of the fetus. To avoid such cases, it is imperative to be examined by a gynecologist before getting pregnant.

Cyst of the left and right ovary in women

In addition to the causes described in the "Causes of an ovarian cyst" section, a left ovarian cyst is often a consequence of colitis (inflammation in the sigmoid and descending parts of the small intestine). Since the ovaries and intestines are located next to each other in the abdominal cavity, there is a histological connection between them, and various pathologies spread in both directions. This must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of ovarian cysts.

In the right ovary, a cyst appears for the same reasons as in the left. In the case of the right ovary, in addition to the reasons already described, a cyst appears after appendectomy for the same reason of surgical intervention in the area of its location.

Ovarian cyst rupture

Symptoms of a ruptured ovarian cyst, as described above, negatively affect a woman's well-being and provoke a loss of performance. These include:

• fever, which is not "knocked down" by ordinary antipyretic drugs;
• acute abdominal pain;
• nausea that provokes vomiting;
• bleeding with mucous discharge from the uterus;
• headaches, dizziness, loss of consciousness;
• anemia (pale skin);
• decrease in pressure.

Such symptoms by themselves, even without knowledge of the ovarian cyst, cause anxiety and should be the reason for going to the doctor, if not calling an ambulance.

The consequences of a ruptured ovarian cyst after and during the onset of symptoms are not long in coming. The fluid that is inside the cyst and must be removed by the filtering system in the process of regression of the pathology enters the abdominal cavity. In addition to discomfort and pain, there is a real danger of inflammation (peritonitis), which can threaten the health and life of a woman. That is why it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first symptoms of an ovarian cyst rupture.

In order to prevent cyst rupture, check with a gynecologist regularly, and if you have a cyst, take medical advice. The specialist will tell you when the cyst is not dangerous and it is worth waiting until the regression begins, or he will prescribe a laparoscopy to preserve the woman's health. Modern methods of cyst removal are effective and simple enough not to be afraid of this operation.

Those women who have refused regular examinations sometimes end up on the surgical table at a critical moment when the cyst progresses to the extent that the ovary itself has to be removed. Taking care of health depends entirely on the person himself, therefore, visiting a gynecologist is a personal matter for everyone, but such cases make women thinking about conceiving a child.

Laparoscopy (surgery to remove an ovarian cyst in women)

Laparoscopy is a modern method of surgery, the operation is performed through an opening of 0.5-1.5 cm. The operation is performed using a laparoscope (telescopic tube with a video camera and cold light). During surgery, the operating cavity may be filled with carbon dioxide. The use of laparoscopy is wide, from cholecystectomy to colon and rectal surgery.

The consequences of removing an ovarian cyst are limited to two weeks of rehabilitation to a working condition and restoration of physical activity. Problems may arise with anesthesia, since everyone may have a nonspecific reaction to the anesthetic drug, therefore, it is advisable to pass tests before the operation to determine the optimal anesthetic.

The most harmful, but also rare, after laparoscopy are adhesive processes. Without the necessary supervision, adhesions that develop uncontrollably can lead to a number of diseases of the genital organs, and even to infertility. This is a fairly common problem after any surgery, which once again prompts you to follow all the instructions of doctors and undergo a course of drug treatment during rehabilitation.

Sex and sports after laparoscopy of an ovarian cyst is considered unacceptable stress. With regard to sexual intercourse and sports, the period of complete abstinence is one month. When restoring training, of course, you need to start with the least load in order to gradually master the lost skills and control the limit of permissible tension. In particular, doctors prohibit lifting weights over three kilograms for the first three months after the operation, and no more than five in the next three months.

Six months is the postoperative period, after which you need to return to your doctor for an examination for complications. And if the doctor permits, it will be possible to return to normal loads - for most women, such requirements, in principle, do not change their lifestyle, although athletes and workers in various industries or trade will have to limit themselves.

Pregnancy after laparoscopy of an ovarian cyst is not only a safe solution - the operation itself is often performed to treat infertility. As mentioned above, a follicular cyst can provoke infertility, since permanent cysts, despite regression and the absence of symptoms, interfere with the development of new follicles with eggs inside them.

After laparoscopy, 85% of patients treating infertility in this way become pregnant in the first year after surgery (20% - in the first month, 20% - in the period from three to five months, 30% - after six months, and the remaining 15% expect from nine months to a year).

By the way the terms are evenly distributed, it is clear that the period of pregnancy after infertility treatment is purely individual. If laparoscopy is done by dissecting the adhesions, then the patient has a whole year for conception, safe in terms of complications. If laparoscopy revealed other disorders besides the cyst, and a course of treatment for gynecological problems was carried out, then in the first few months, the long-awaited pregnancy is likely to occur.

Monthly after laparoscopy, ovarian cysts should come on schedule, since the integrity of healthy tissue during laparoscopy is not violated. Nevertheless, any operation on the ovary can shift the menstrual cycle - this is a phenomenon within the physiological norm.

After laparoscopy, mucous discharge may also appear. Such discharge sometimes occurs even immediately after the operation, and they do not say anything bad. A cause for alarm will appear if these secretions acquire a yellow-green or brown-green hue - this means that an infection has appeared in the body. Usually this symptom is accompanied by characteristic weakness, drowsiness, fever, and discomfort.

In addition, white discharge may also be detected, which appears due to laparoscopy while taking antibiotics. They may talk about a thrush that has appeared, or about another infection, for which a smear is done. In any case, medical supervision and timely medical attention help to quickly cure diseases in the early stages.

How you can try to cure a cyst at home, see here. But do not forget that examination by a doctor is first of all!

Diet after laparoscopy of the ovarian cyst should maximally facilitate the rehabilitation process for the reproductive system. Due to the fact that the ovaries are in close proximity to the intestines, their condition also depends on the well-being of the digestive tract. Therefore, the food consumed in the first three months should contain more fiber, which improves peristalsis and normalizes glucose levels. Accordingly, you should refrain from eating fatty, fried, very spicy and salty foods. Such food is too difficult to digest and, moreover, strongly irritates the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.

A special requirement for the diet after laparoscopy is the prohibition of taking alcoholic beverages of any kind for a month and a half.

The diet consists in eating foods that are easy for the digestive tract (vegetables, fruits, boiled, stewed dietary meat) in small portions 10-12 times a day. With the healing of internal wounds, freshly squeezed juices full of vitamins, low-fat dairy products (kefir, milk), cereals (cereals) will greatly help the body. We remind you that, due to the probable appointment of a course of antibiotics, you must also forget about drinking alcohol for the first month and a half.

List of used literature

Source: "Apoplexy of the ovary and ruptured ovarian cysts" - Alexander Gasparov, Armen Ter-Ovakimyan, Elena Khilkevich, Alina Kosachenko, 2009

Source: "Gynecology" - Eduard Ailamazyan 2013

Source: "Guide to Gynecological Endocrinology" - Roza Manusharova, Eslinda Cherkezova, 2011

Source: "Non-operative gynecology" - Vera Smetnik, Lidia Tumilovich, 2006

Source: "Ultrasound in gynecology. Symptoms, diagnostic difficulties and errors. A guide for doctors" - Suren Khachkuruzov, 2016

Source: "Gynecology. Textbook" - Galina Savelyeva, Valentina Breusenko, 2014

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".