Causes of Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts can develop for many reasons. Every month during a typical menstrual cycle, the ovaries produce follicles which resemble cysts in structure. The follicles produce the estrogen and progesterone hormones. Common causes of ovarian cysts occurs when a follicle keeps growing beyond its normal time period and becomes an ovarian cyst.
Follicular cysts are among the most usual type. These cysts rarely have symptoms, usually harmless and disappear on their own. Ovarian cysts affecting the follicle are caused by the release of hormones from the pituitary gland that is supposed to initiate the release of an egg. Failure to release the egg makes the follicle continue to grow and develop into a cyst.
Frequent causes of ovarian cysts occur when luteinizing hormones surge and an egg is release. When the egg is released, estrogen and progesterone are created by the ruptured follicle to prepare for the hypothetical conception. When the egg is sealed off, fluid accumulates inside the follicle and becomes what is called a corpus luteum. The corpus luteum will then expand and at that point becomes a cyst. Read more about Causes of Ovarian Cysts →
Complex Ovarian Cysts
Many women experience ovarian cysts at some point in their lives. They usually do not need to be treated because they are often harmless. However, complex ovarian cysts are less common and more cause for concern.
Complex ovarian cysts are different than simple ones in that they can consist of both solid and liquid matter. The three common types of complex ovarian cysts are dermoid cysts, endometiomas, and cystdenomas.
The ova, cells that form human eggs, can develop a form of complex ovarian cyst called a dermoid cyst. Dermoid cysts can contain hair, teeth, and/or skin; this is because they have the potential to become any kind of tissue in a human since they are non-differentiated cells. While they are usually non-cancerous, dermoid cysts can become very large and result in pain by causing the ovaries to become twisted. Read more about Complex Ovarian Cysts →
Dermoid Cysts
A dermoid cyst can appear on anyone regardless of race, sex, age. Dermoid cysts which are found on the face, scalp or neck, are usually present and detectable from birth. Likewise dermoid cysts in the ovary obviously appear only in women.
Totipotential germ cells can develop into a complex ovarian cyst known as a dermoid cyst. These cysts can contain solid tissue such as hair, teeth, or bone, and can develop at any age, although in females they usually develop at the ages of 20 to 40. When dermoid cysts cut off the circulation to ovaries, they cause intense pain that requires surgical removal. These cysts can also develop on a person’s face, neck, or scalp.
A dermoid cyst in an ovary is usually a mature teratoma that is benign. Dermoids are fairly common in women over the age of 40 years. Dermoid cysts are rarely cancerous though they make up about one half of all benign ovarian tumors. About 1 to 2 percent of dermoid cysts are cancerous. Read more about Dermoid Cysts →
Early Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is fourth among the leading causes of death due to cancer for American women, affecting 1 out of every 57 women. Ovarian cancer can be treated if it is diagnosed early but only 24% of all cases of ovarian cancer are detected early enough. Survival rate decreases over time. It is therefore very important for women to learn the early symptoms of ovarian cancer.
During the summer of 2007, the American Cancer Society and other similar organizations published findings that symptoms such as unexpected bloating, gas, or a feeling of fullness; fatigue, menstrual abnormalities, abdominal or pelvic pain, sudden urge and/or frequent urination and sudden changes in food habits such as difficulty in consuming food or feeling full too quickly may be early symptoms of ovarian cancer.
All women should monitor the early symptoms of ovarian cancer in order to have ovarian cancer diagnosed as early as possible, if at risk. If these symptoms last for more than two to three weeks, women should seek advice from their doctor. Read more about Early Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer →
