Ovarian cysts can be a very scary thing to experience, but it doesn’t mean that they have to be. The most important thing that a woman can do to is to be educated about them. By definition, an ovarian cyst is a sac filled with fluid that forms on or inside the ovary. Typically,this disease can occur during the process of ovulation (where an egg is released from the ovary). In the days before an egg is released, a follicle grows. The follicle is supposed to break open and produce an egg once ovulation occurs. When this does not happen, the fluid stays within the follicle, and forms a cyst.
Although there are no known risk factors, ovarian cysts can cause complications if they bleed, burst open, are twisted or cause twisting of the fallopian tube, or if they push on any thing that is nearby. There are often no symptoms, so it is important for you to keep up with your routine check-ups with your doctor. If you are ever experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding (any change in your normal menstrual pattern), absent menstruation, longer or shorter than usual menstrual cycle, pain in the abdomen, pain during bowel movements, or any pelvic pain, you should contact your doctor and schedule a check-up.
One of the most commonly asks questions by women who are experiencing this problem is “can ovarian cysts cause blood in urine?”. At this time, there does not seem to be a link between urine in the blood, and ovarian cysts. Many woman that have experienced blood in their urine during or around the time of finding that they had an ovarian cyst found that they also had a bladder or kidney infection. It is important speak with your doctor if you are seeing spotting in your urine, if your menstrual period seems to be lasting longer than usual.
If you are not trying to get pregnant, your doctor may put you on a hormone treatment, such as birth control, to help level your system out, and to help your body stop creating follicles. Functional cysts do not usually require treatment, and they usually disappear within eight to twelve weeks. You should contact your doctor if you have simple ovarian cysts that are larger than five to ten centimeters or complex ovarian cysts that will not go away. These will need to be removed by surgery.