An ovarian cyst is a sac that has attached to either the surface, or the inside of the ovary. It is filled with liquid, solid matter or both. Ovarian cysts  is fairly common in women aged 30 to 69. Both of a woman’s ovaries can get infected at the same time, or separately and each ovary can have more than one cyst attached to it. Most cysts do not end up cancerous, however 15% of cysts that develop do transform into cancerous ones.

While undergoing the the monthly ovulation cycle, a woman’s body  produces hormones which help the follicles, sac shaped organs which contain the eggs, to grow. After the egg has developed, these follicles typically rupture, setting the egg free. After rupturing, the follicle then shrinks down to a smaller sac known as luteum.  Ovarian  cysts happen  when these follicles fail to rupture, or if they fail to release the egg.

There are five different classifications of cysts:

• Functional cysts: which are divided up into follicle cysts and corpus luteum cysts. These cysts are part of the normal process of monthy menstruation in women. Follicle cysts  are around two inches in diameter and form when the egg is sent to the fallopian tube or if the follicle fails to rupture. Follicle cysts generally disappear within three months.  Corpus luteum cysts develops when the luteum ( the small sac that the follicle transforms into after the egg leave) fills up with liquid and  remains inside the ovary.

• Polycystic ovaries: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a disease in which the ovaries become filled with intact follicles. This happens due to the malfunction of the pituitary gland which is responsible for the release of egg production hormones like progesterone. This malfunction causes a lot of follicles to be produced and then stockpiled beneath the surface of the ovaries. The ovaries then become enlarged as they are filled with tiny cysts.

• Endometrial cysts: Endometrial tissue is generally found only in the uterus, but in the case of endometrial cysts it begins to develop in other places. The tissue then bleeds and forms cysts that can grow up to grapefruit size before they are detected.

• Cystadenoma:  Neoplasms which form on the tissue of the ovary which are divided into two types: serous cystadenomas and mucous cystadenomas. Serous cystadenomas contain liquid and get to around six inches in diameter. Mucous cystadenomas contain gelatinous substance and can get 12 inches in diameter.

• Dermoid Cysts: Benign tumors which contains skin or skin derivatives.

Cysts are generally silent and do not display any noticeable symptoms  until they are ruptured during intercourse or childbirth. What follows is intense abdominal pain, problems with menstruation such as heavy flow or bleeding between periods, menstrual cramps, painful sexual intercourse and weight gain. Polycystic ovaries can also cause infertility and endometrial cysts can cause internal bleeding along with menstrual cramps and weight gain.

A sharp pain could mean that the cyst has either ruptured or twisted and medical  attention should be sought immediately since this could lead to a life threatening infection.

Aside from the normal pain and discomfort that comes with a woman’s normal monthly  cycle, it is important to take into account any irregularities that may be caused by the presence of ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are an extremely common problem, and are harmless in most cases. However, they can develop into potentially painful condition that can harmful to a woman’s health. Here are some common ovarian cysts symptoms to look out for.

Something out of the ordinary

Anything odd that occurs during the menstrual cycle could be because of the presence of an ovarian cyst. This includes irregular bleeding (less or more than normal), different kinds of discharge, or unusual amounts of pain. While none of these examples are resolute, they are signals that something may be wrong with the reproductive organs. Many women who suffer from ovarian cysts report an increase in pain in the pelvic region during the beginning and end of their cycle.

Pain during…

Pain in the abdomen during intercourse is another symptom to watch out for. This condition, known as dyspareunia, is caused by inflammation and irritation of the area where the ovarian cyst is growing, because of the applied pressure of penetration. Abnormal pain in the pelvic area during a bowel movement could also be a sign of ovarian cysts being present.  A doctor should be consulted if a woman regularly finds herself in pain during these two activities.

A continuous dull ache or heavy feeling in the abdomen at all times is also a sign that a woman may be suffering from a ovarian cyst. This pain might dissipate if the cyst leaves on its own, but it might reappear later during a later menstrual cycle.

More serious symptoms

Some women also experience severe breast pain, fevers, nausea, vomiting severe abdominal pain, dizziness and shortness of breath. The breast pain experienced is very much like the breast pain experienced during pregnancy and the shortness of breath could possibly lead to fainting.

It should be noted that all of the above symptoms can also be read as signs of other problems other than an ovarian cyst such as a kidney stone. It is important for woman to be aware of their body and what constitutes a normal cycle for them. This will be helpful in determining if any differences or irregularities warrant further inspection by a professional.  This is especially important with symptoms that are irregular but not quite severe. Oftentimes it is in our nature to let the small things go until they become a much bigger problem and if left undetected, ovarian cysts can lead to very negative consequences and possibly even infertility. If you heed these symptoms and pay attention to your body and its cycles, you may be able to seek help before it is too late.