Functional ovarian cysts - the most common type of ovarian cyst, also known as "physiological" or "normal" cysts. This name, actually means that functional ovarian cyst - not pathogenic: this type of developing ovarian cysts tissues varying during the process of ovulation. In the normal course of the process of ovulation follicle produces ripened egg dies, but any violations it is filled with liquid, thereby forming ovarian cyst.
The first thing to remember is that the functional ovarian cyst - this phenomenon is perfectly normal. Formed during ovulation, these cysts usually disappear during the menstrual period, before the start of the next menstrual cycle. If an ovarian cyst persists during menstruation, the period of her life in an average of one to three months. A functional ovarian cyst occurs only in women of childbearing age, with normally functioning ovaries. In women, menopausal or post-menopausal, in the absence of menstrual periods, functional cysts do not occur.
Types of functional ovarian cysts
Functional Ovarian Cysts - this is a general category involves several different types of cysts. The two most common kinds of functional ovarian cysts - the so-called follicular ovarian cyst
Follicular ovarian cyst - watch your hormonal
cyst and corpus luteum of the ovary.
- Follicular ovarian cyst. The pituitary gland, endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, stimulates the increase in so-called luteinizing hormone (lutropin), under which influence the follicle in which the egg ripens, is disclosed. In the normal course of the process of ovulation the egg is released from the follicle and into the fallopian tube where the fertilized by sperm. If you increase the level of luteinizing hormone occurs, the follicle does not rupture, releasing the egg and grows until, until you become a follicular cyst. Follicular ovarian cyst typically develops asymptomatic, rarely causing the unpleasant sensation of pain. Follicular ovarian cysts are harmless and usually disappear within two or three menstrual cycles.
- Cyst of the corpus luteum of the ovary. After the release of the mature egg from the follicle under the influence of increasing levels of the hormone lyuteiniziruschego formed a temporary endocrine gland - the so-called corpus luteum, which produces large amounts of the hormone progesterone
Progesterone - norm and pathology
Thereby preparing the uterus for pregnancy. In some cases, after the egg has left the follicle, the outlet is closed too early and accumulate in tissues, causing proliferation of the corpus luteum - a cyst of the corpus luteum of the ovary. Typically, these cysts disappear on their own within a few weeks. In very rare cases, a cyst of the corpus luteum of the ovary grows to a considerable size (up to eight to ten centimeters in diameter) and causes ovarian torsion, provoking a sharp, acute pain in the abdomen or groin.
- Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst
Ovarian cysts - normal or dangerous?
. This kind of functional ovarian cysts are potentially the most dangerous of all types of cysts. If during the process of ovulation drop occurs in the follicle blood vessel, blood can enter into the follicle and if the bleeding stops by itself in the ovary, leading to its increase. Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst causes very sharp pain, and if the cysts rupture blood can get into the abdominal cavity. In most cases, the detection of hemorrhagic ovarian cysts require surgery.
Sizes
Dimensions of functional ovarian cysts may be different - from a few millimeters to several centimeters. The size of follicular ovarian cysts can be up to six centimeters in diameter, and ovarian corpus luteum cyst can grow up to ten centimeters in diameter. Benign growths less than ten centimeters in diameter in women of childbearing age before menopause, usually does not require surgery and eventually disappear on their own.
Symptoms
In most cases, the proliferation of functional ovarian cysts are asymptomatic. The most common symptoms of functional ovarian cysts - pain in the abdomen or in the lower abdomen, irregular menstruation (irregular periods), nausea or vomiting, abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain in the groin after exercise, sexual intercourse, when urinating.
In some cases, an ovarian cyst may be a sign of more serious diseases - such as endometriosis, in which tissue of the uterus grow outside. If uterine tissue penetrates into the ovary, endometrial cyst is formed. Break a cyst, the development of which can last for several years, can lead to infertility. In addition, multiple ovarian cysts can indicate polycystic ovaries, endocrine diseases caused by the appearance of multiple ovarian follicles undeveloped. Finally, in very rare cases, dense brush or cysts filled with fluid and dense material, are a sign of cancer.
Diagnostics
The functional ovarian cysts usually found either in the course of routine pelvic examination or during ultrasound or laparoscopy computerized tomography. The most commonly used method of accurate diagnosis of functional ovarian cysts - endovaginal ultrasound procedure involves injecting into the vagina of a special device that generates an ultrasonic signal. Endovaginal ultrasound helps to get a clear image of the cyst, to determine whether it is a tight formation, or filled with fluid.
Treatment
Most functional ovarian cysts completely harmless, do not cause any symptoms and do not require treatment, disappearing on their own over time. The main goal of treatment of functional ovarian cysts - the suppression of symptoms (usually of pain in the abdomen) and preventing the formation of new ovarian cysts by preventing ovulation.
Because functional ovarian cysts usually disappear without treatment within one or two menstrual cycles, in most cases, treatment involves only a cyst observation method - periodic inspections to verify the size of the brush. If the dimensions of functional ovarian cysts do not fall within one or two months can be recommended additional tests to rule out other causes of the symptoms. Often suppress the symptoms can be at home with the help of hot packs and standard painkillers are sold in pharmacies without a prescription.
In the case where the functional ovarian cyst does not go away on their own within two or three months, causing unpleasant symptoms, as well as abnormal results of ultrasound, appointed or medical or surgical treatment. Drug treatment of functional cysts involves hormonal drugs - oral contraceptives prevent ovulation
Ovulation - How to determine as accurately as possible?
and thereby reduce the likelihood of formation of new ovarian cysts. Remove the cysts surgically (cystectomy) is performed through a small incision in the skin of the abdomen. If you suspect that the cancer may require more invasive procedure - laparotomy.
Functional ovarian cysts after menopause
After menopause, the risk of ovarian cancer increases, so that all tumors in the ovaries, which are formed after menopause, are tested for malignancy. In some cases, it may be recommended removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy), but in most cases, when the dimensions of functional ovarian cysts are small, only applied the method of observation with periodic check of the brush size. During the first five years after menopause may experience periodic functional ovarian cysts.
