Regardless of where you are in your reproductive cycle, either pregnant, breastfeeding or ovulating, it is not uncommon to experience abdominal pain. It can, however, be worrisome to determine if pain is normal or whether it is associated with something like an ovarian cyst.
Cysts are extremely common, especially for women who are still in their childbearing years. The good news is, that while an ovarian cyst can cause symptoms, they are usually completely harmless. In fact, most women experience some type of ovarian cyst during their lifetime; many do not even notice.
What is a Cyst?
A cyst is simply a mass of tissue or fluid. They can be found in any part of the body, including the uterus and ovaries. Cysts often are referred to as tumors, but there is actually specific signs, symptoms and designations that must be in place for a cyst to be considered a tumor; even then, a tumor isn't necessarily cancerous.
What Causes an Ovarian Cyst?
Cysts are very common and there are various types that doctors regularly see. Most ovarian cysts have normal and natural causes. As your body moves through a menstrual cycle, specific actions take place. A egg matures in a follicle of your ovary; once mature, the follicle bursts, releasing the egg; after ovulation, the hormonal center shuts down and the cycle starts over.
At any time during this process, there is the potential for things to not go quite as designed, and cysts can be the result. For example, if the egg isn't released, the follicle can swell, creating an ovarian cyst. This usually is filled with fluid and fades over time.
When the egg is released, cysts are still possible. If the hormonal center doesn't shut down as designed, another type of cyst is possible. Both of these normal, or functional, cysts can cause some pain or even rupture.
The more alarming types of ovarian cysts have causes that are considered abnormal. For example, a condition known as PCOS is characterized by the abnormal function of the ovaries. Eggs are regularly not released and numerous cysts may form.
Women with PCOS often experience weight issues and do not have regular menstrual cycles due to the constant malfunction. PCOS cysts can contribute to heavy periods, often hemorrhagic in nature, and it is extremely difficult to become pregnant.
Other cysts have varying reasons. Some women are just genetically predisposed to abnormal ovarian action. Conditions such as endometriosis can also contribute. Finally, some cysts are completely baffling, even to doctors, such as the dermoid cyst, which contains actual human tissue, such as hair and bones.
Symptoms of an Ovarian Cyst
The symptoms of an ovarian cyst can vary a great deal, largely depending on what your particular cause is. However, it is very common to experience abdominal pain, tenderness, swelling, painful intercourse, abnormal periods and a feeling of being full.
In some cases, however, there may be absolutely no symptoms associated with an ovarian cyst. If your doctor does detect a cyst, don't be overly alarmed. More often than not, the condition is actually harmless but they do need your attention, as cysts left untreated often become problematic.
Cysts are extremely common, especially for women who are still in their childbearing years. The good news is, that while an ovarian cyst can cause symptoms, they are usually completely harmless. In fact, most women experience some type of ovarian cyst during their lifetime; many do not even notice.
What is a Cyst?
A cyst is simply a mass of tissue or fluid. They can be found in any part of the body, including the uterus and ovaries. Cysts often are referred to as tumors, but there is actually specific signs, symptoms and designations that must be in place for a cyst to be considered a tumor; even then, a tumor isn't necessarily cancerous.
What Causes an Ovarian Cyst?
Cysts are very common and there are various types that doctors regularly see. Most ovarian cysts have normal and natural causes. As your body moves through a menstrual cycle, specific actions take place. A egg matures in a follicle of your ovary; once mature, the follicle bursts, releasing the egg; after ovulation, the hormonal center shuts down and the cycle starts over.
At any time during this process, there is the potential for things to not go quite as designed, and cysts can be the result. For example, if the egg isn't released, the follicle can swell, creating an ovarian cyst. This usually is filled with fluid and fades over time.
When the egg is released, cysts are still possible. If the hormonal center doesn't shut down as designed, another type of cyst is possible. Both of these normal, or functional, cysts can cause some pain or even rupture.
The more alarming types of ovarian cysts have causes that are considered abnormal. For example, a condition known as PCOS is characterized by the abnormal function of the ovaries. Eggs are regularly not released and numerous cysts may form.
Women with PCOS often experience weight issues and do not have regular menstrual cycles due to the constant malfunction. PCOS cysts can contribute to heavy periods, often hemorrhagic in nature, and it is extremely difficult to become pregnant.
Other cysts have varying reasons. Some women are just genetically predisposed to abnormal ovarian action. Conditions such as endometriosis can also contribute. Finally, some cysts are completely baffling, even to doctors, such as the dermoid cyst, which contains actual human tissue, such as hair and bones.
Symptoms of an Ovarian Cyst
The symptoms of an ovarian cyst can vary a great deal, largely depending on what your particular cause is. However, it is very common to experience abdominal pain, tenderness, swelling, painful intercourse, abnormal periods and a feeling of being full.
In some cases, however, there may be absolutely no symptoms associated with an ovarian cyst. If your doctor does detect a cyst, don't be overly alarmed. More often than not, the condition is actually harmless but they do need your attention, as cysts left untreated often become problematic.
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