Cysts can develop in response to a pelvic infection (called an abscess). If an infected cyst ruptures, it can trigger sepsis, a life-threatening immune response to harmful bacteria. Women with infected cysts are treated with antibiotics and sometimes require hospitalization for surgical drainage of the cyst.
Ovarian cysts can also lead to problems with the menstrual cycle, such as heavy or irregular periods, or spotting (abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods). Menstrual cycle problems occur if the cyst produces sex hormones that cause the lining of the womb to grow more.
Pathological cysts are caused by abnormal cell growth and are not related to the menstrual cycle. They can develop before and after the menopause. Pathological cysts develop from either the cells used to create eggs or the cells that cover the outer part of the ovary.
Most cysts are nothing to worry about, and they typically don't cause any symptoms. Your physician might even find one you didn't know about during a pelvic exam. However, it is still possible to have some symptoms, such as irregular periods, spotting, or pelvic aches and pains, but these aren't very common.
“Other possible symptoms of large cysts include feeling bloating, unanticipated weight gain, pain on one side of your lower abdomen, and painful periods. These symptoms can be easy to ignore, but if you're noticing many of these together, that's a good reason to see your doctor for an evaluation.”
What are the dangers of ovarian cysts? This condition may appear harmless. In reality, however, severe cases can result in the cysts rupturing and damaging blood vessels, causing bleeding and eventually proving fatal, if left untreated.
Some cysts are cancerous and early treatment is vital. If left untreated, benign cysts can cause serious complications including: Infection – the cyst fills with bacteria and pus, and becomes an abscess. If the abscess bursts inside the body, there is a risk of blood poisoning (septicaemia).
Large or persistent ovarian cysts, or cysts that are causing symptoms, usually need to be surgically removed. Surgery is also normally recommended if there are concerns that the cyst could be cancerous or could become cancerous.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts
This fluid can irritate the lining of the abdomen and cause pain. The pain may be on one or both sides of the lower abdomen. Also, large cysts may cause a sensation of pressure in the abdomen. Cysts can also cause urinary or bowel problems if they press on the bladder or bowel.
Women with PCOS are more likely to develop certain serious health problems. These include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and uterine cancer. Women with PCOS often have problems with their ability to get pregnant (fertility).
Stage 4 ovarian cancer is classed as advanced (metastatic) cancer. This means the cancer has spread away from the ovary to other body organs, such as the liver or lungs. The aim of treatment is to control the cancer for as long as possible.
Some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary (cystectomy). In some cases, the ovary with the cyst is removed (oophorectomy). Surgery can often be done using minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy) with a laparoscope and instruments inserted through small cuts in your abdomen.
Is a 4 cm ovarian cyst big? An ovarian cyst of size less than 4 cm is a variant of functional or follicular cysts. This size of cyst usually disappears on its own within 2 to 3 menstrual cycles. A cyst larger than 5 cm is considered big and may be harmful.
While most ovarian cysts don't need treatment, we may monitor your cyst and perform an ultrasound to determine whether you need surgery. We may recommend surgical removal if a cyst: grows bigger than 10 centimeters. ruptures and continues to bleed (though this is rare).
Most ovarian cysts aren't cancer and don't increase your risk of cancer in any other way. But certain types are more likely to be cancerous. They're called “complex” ovarian cysts. A complex cyst has solid areas, a nodule (bump) on the surface, or several fluid-filled areas.
However, an alternative to surgery is so-called 'watchful waiting', where doctors do not remove the cysts, but monitor their size and appearance with regular ultrasound scans. This is because many cysts shrink and disappear or do not change over time.
Bloating
Ovarian cysts sometimes cause you to feel bloated or swollen in your lower abdomen, especially on the side where you have the cyst. You might also experience a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the swollen area.