Cysts
that form in the ovaries are referred to as ovarian
cysts. They are usually small structures that may cause
problems, or may not. But it is always advisable to seek
treatment because you never know when the situation can
turn grave. Sometimes they can create health problems
that need emergency medical attention. Although most
ovarian cysts are benign (non-cancerous), but some of
them can turn malignant (cancerous) and
life-threatening.
Ovarian
cysts are classified into two broad types - the
functional and the complex. These are
again broken down to a number of further types,
depending on how they are formed and what they are
composed of.
What
Are Ovarian Cysts - Functional
Functional
cysts
are primarily caused due to minor alterations in the
normal functioning of the ovary. There are also two
major variations among the Functional ovarian cysts, and
they are the Follicular cyst and the Luteal
cyst.
Follicular
cysts appear in the first half of the menstrual cycle,
and the Luteal cyst grows in the last half of the cycle.
Under normal conditions, the egg-making follicle of the
ovary releases the egg for fertilization in the womb.
However, the follicle sometimes fails to release it and
continues to grow, and becomes full of fluid. Such a
cyst is often diagnosed with an ultrasound
exam.
The
Luteal cyst on the other hand, develops at the time of
the ovulation when the egg has been released and the
follicle has ruptured. However, the ruptured follicle
soon develops into the corpus
luteum that starts producing a hormone
called progesterone, which is necessary for a healthy
pregnancy. In the event of the egg not being fertilized,
the corpus luteum slowly degenerates, giving rise to
flow of the menstrual blood. But when the corpus luteum
fails to degenerate, it gets filled up with fluids and
blood, thus forming the Corpus Luteal
cyst.
Complex
ovarian cysts are
quite different from functional
cysts because they stem from complex or
abnormal cell growths that need not be malignant. Even
though the growth of all ovarian cysts is shrouded in
mystery, the cause of complex cell growth remains more
mysterious than others. Nevertheless, complex ovarian
cysts should be regularly monitored as they may
occasionally burst or rupture, needing emergency medical
attention.
Cystadenoma
cysts develop from cells on the outer surface of the
ovaries. These cysts often grow very large and are
attached to the ovary by a thin stem. Sometimes, these
cysts can twist on their stems and rupture, and this
causes complications.
Chocolate
cysts
are formed due to endometriosis - a condition in which
the lining of the womb known as the endometrium starts
to grow in parts of the abdomen other than the womb.
Sometimes these endometrial patches can also develop on
the ovaries and in the process, create cysts that
contain chocolate colored stale blood. These endometrial
patches bleed during the monthly period and as there are
no outlets for the accumulated blood to go out, the
cysts go on increasing in size. When they rupture, they
flood the abdominal cavity with stale dark brown blood
with accompanying pain and other
complications.
Dermoid
cysts
are
yet another variety of complex ovarian cysts. And out of
all the complex ovarian cysts, the dermoid cysts are the
weirdest in formation and contents. A dermoid cyst is
usually made of skin, body fat, cartilages, fragments of
bone, nails and sometimes, sweat glands too. These cysts
are formed from the germ cells and can have any of the
varied human tissues. Dermoid cysts, when growing into
very large sizes, are known to irritate the abdominal
cavity and this often leads to Peritonitis.
Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome caused
due to gross imbalance of hormones is responsible for
irregular periods, unwanted hair growth on face and body
(hirsutism), Alopecia (baldness), acne and infertility
among pre and postmenopausal women. This hormonal
disorder was not quite clear till Drs. Stein and
Leventhal first revealed the true nature of PCOS way back in
1935. While
conducting clinical studies on a group of women
suffering from amenorrhea (lack of menstrual period),
irregular periods, hirsutism and infertility, the
doctors observed that the women invariably had enlarged
ovaries and were prone to produce more testosterone and
progesterone that are considered normal in a woman in
the child-bearing age. This hormonal imbalance,
according to them, was the root cause of the symptoms in
these women. However, scientists have later found that
women who are affected by PCOS are also likely to suffer
from potential metabolic disarray that is linked to
type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular
disorders.
Treatment
for Ovarian Cysts
No
matter what the type of cyst within the ovary, it is
necessary to get it treated. However the frustrating
thing is, the cysts often return even after treatment.
This happens because most remedies just treat the
symptoms, and not the root causes of the problem.
However with holistic remedies this never happens.
Treating the body as a whole, holistic remedies treat
the root causes, and once they are gone, the symptoms go
away too along with the cyst. And they never
return.
