An ovarian cyst is described as an accumulation of fluid within the ovary that's surrounded by a thin wall. While an ovarian follicle that’s larger than approximately 2 centimeters is already considered an ovarian cyst, sizes can vary. Some cysts may be as small as a pea, while others may be larger than an orange. In rare cases, a woman can develop a very large ovarian cyst that makes her look pregnant.1
An ovarian cyst starts developing once an ovarian follicle fails to rupture and release an egg cell, as the fluid that remains eventually forms the cyst. This process typically affects one of the ovaries. However, ovarian cysts smaller than one-half inch may already be present in a normal ovary while follicles are being formed.2 An ultrasound is often used to detect ovarian cysts. But, depending on the type of cyst, other tests may also be necessary.
Ovarian cysts occur most frequently among women during their childbearing years or during their reproductive cycle. They can occur in women of any age, with some cysts causing excess pain and bleeding; these may need to be surgically removed.3
Types of Ovarian Cyst
There are multiple types of ovarian cysts that may develop in a patient. Functional cysts (or simple cysts4) and complex cysts are the two major classes of ovarian cysts, although both have subtypes, namely:5
|
Functional Ovarian Cysts |
Complex Ovarian Cysts |
• Follicular ovarian cysts
• Luteal ovarian cysts or corpus luteum cysts6
• Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts
|
• Dermoid ovarian cysts or cystic teratomas
• Cystadenomas7
• Endometriomas
|
Risk Factors for an Ovarian Cyst
There are factors that can affect a patient's chances of developing an ovarian cyst. These include:8
A history of previous ovarian cysts |
Irregular menstrual cycle |
Obesity |
Beginning the menstrual cycle at an early age (at 11 years old or younger) |
Infertility |
Infertility treatment using gonadotropin medicines |
Hypothyroidism |
Tamoxifen (Soltamox) therapy for breast cancer |
Plus, if a woman has either of the following two conditions, she is likely to have a higher risk for ovarian cysts:9
• Endometriosis: This disease often targets women during their childbearing years. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial cells, or cells that are typically found inside the uterus, are found growing outside the uterus. In particular, if the endometrial tissue moves to the ovaries, it can prompt the development of endometriomas.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): The risk is most likely linked to the nature of PCOS itself, wherein women have out-of-balance levels of the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone and androgen.10
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Ovarian Cyst: an Introduction
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Ruptured Ovarian Cyst