Functional Ovarian Cyst:
Causes, Treatments and RISKS

Women during their child-bearing age often have cysts in their ovaries. However, most of them are considered Functional or Physiologic in nature, which means that they are not related to any disease or associated with any abdominal ailments. Moreover, they are mostly benign (non-cancerous) as well.

What Is The Functional Ovarian Cyst?

A functional ovarian cyst is a sac-like structure on the surface of the ovary that forms at the time of ovulation and holds a maturing egg or ovum. The structure usually withers away after the egg is released within a few days. But if the egg is not released, or if the sac-like structure closes up after the egg is released and starts swelling up, a cyst is formed.

Functional ovarian cysts do not cause any symptom and are totally different from cancerous growths in the ovary that may also look quite similar. But if they grow into very large size and weigh too much, they may become twisted, rupture or even bleed internally. This will cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

Causes Of Ovarian Cyst

A functional ovarian cyst is often formed because of minor alterations in the way the egg is released. For instance, when the egg is not released by the sac-like structure or follicle, a Follicular cyst is formed, and when the follicle releases the egg but reseals itself, the result is the Luteal cyst. If we take a closer look at these cysts, we may find the following conditions.

A Follicular cyst forms at the time of ovulation or when a mature follicle collapses itself and grows up to 2/3 inches in diameter. But when this type of cyst ruptures, it creates a very sharp and severe pain, often called mittelschmerz (which in German language means "in the middle") of the menstrual cycle during ovulation. Studies have shown that about 1 in every 4 females with these cysts suffer from mittelschmerz.

The Luteal or Corpus Luteum cyst on the other hand forms after the egg is released, and it too goes away if there is no pregnancy. But in some cases, it refuses to go away and persists on the ovary and gets filled up with fluid or blood. This type of cyst is normally located only on one side of the abdomen, and may produce no symptoms.

Ovarian Cysts Symptoms

Although functional ovarian cysts may show no symptom at the early stages, yet some of the following symptoms are visible when they become larger.

·         Vaginal bleeding even when there is no menstrual period

·         Disturbing pain in lower abdomen on the second or third day of the period

·         Delayed menstrual period

·         Irregular periods

·         Sudden and severe pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting after rupture

·         Painful intercourse

Ovarian cysts are frequently diagnosed during routine pelvic exams. For more detailed examination, pelvic ultrasound is also used. For specific checking, MRI scans are also taken and when malignancy is suspected, gynecologists recommend Laparoscopic preview.

Treatment For Ovarian Cysts

So far as treatment is concerned, most medics recommend oral contraceptives, often ignoring the side effects that these 'pills' produce. In many cases, hormone overloads create numerous problems that include bowel irregularities, loss of appetite and nagging headache.

A more appropriate approach towards solving the issue consists of befooling the body by making it believe that a pregnancy has taken place. When there is a pregnancy, ovulation is stopped and when this happens, no follicles are generated. If follicles are not there, cysts cannot develop.

Surgery may also be recommended when the cyst is cancerous or when it turns into an extra large teratoma, creating pressure on the bladder or other organs. This is often done through Laparoscopy, a kind of keyhole surgery or Laparotomy that involves more complex procedures. But surgery is often complicated and it could cause other complications as well. And of course, surgery is no guarantee that the cyst will never return again.