Ovarian cysts seldom present with any signs and symptoms as these get corrected on their own. However, when cysts fail to resolve and enlarge in size interfering with the blood supply to the organ then it presents with the following signs and symptoms:

• Bowel movements turn painful
• Abdominal swelling
• Abdominal bloating
• Pain during intercourse
• Nausea accompanied by vomiting
• Severe pain in the pelvic region during menstrual cycle
• Pain experienced in the thighs and lower back region
• Breast tenderness

In addition to the above mentioned symptoms, ovarian cysts may also give rise to the following symptoms indicating medical emergency [7]:

• Fever
• Dizziness
• Rapid breathing
• Severe and sharp pain in the pelvic region

Usually a routine pelvic examination is sometimes enough to detect an ovarian cyst. If the examination does not reveal normal findings then further confirmatory tests may be advised. These include the following:

• Ultrasound tests that shows presence of cysts in the ovaries. This test also helps in determining the size, location and nature of the cysts.
• Pregnancy test if turns out to be positive suggests that the cysts is of corpus luteum type [8].
• Blood test to determine the levels of antigen 125 is carried out. If the level of this particular antigen is found to be elevated then it indicates that cyst can be cancerous in nature. In such cases, further tests to confirm the condition need to be carried out.

In many cases, the cysts get corrected by themselves requiring no treatment. In conditions, when the cysts enlarge in size and cause discomfort to the patients the following treatment regime is suggested:

• Medications such as birth control pills are suggested to stop the ovulation in order to prevent the recurrence of the cysts [9].
• Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure to remove the cysts from the ovaries. Such a kind of method is employed when the cyst is smaller in size.
• Laparatomy is the treatment of choice when the cyst is larger in size. 

Women who develop ovarian cysts while they are still having periods usually require little or no treatment. However, post menopausal women who develop cysts are more likely to develop ovarian cancer. When the cysts are of simple type then the chances of developing cancer is low [5].

Ovarian cysts normally resolve on their own seldom requiring any treatment. However, in cases, when the cysts are diagnosed as been cancerous in nature, it could lead to the following complications:

• Ovarian torsion: It is a rare complication of ovarian cysts, wherein a large cyst that develops on the ovary causes it to twist and shift from its original position. In the condition of ovarian torsion, the blood supply to the ovaries is interrupted causing death of the ovarian tissue. It has been estimated that about 3% of women with ovarian cysts develop ovarian torsion [6].
• Ruptured cysts: This is also a rare accompaniment of ovarian cysts, but can turn life threatening if the condition is not treated on time. Cysts can rupture causing intense pain and internal bleeding.

The most common type of cysts known as functional cysts develop as a result of regular menstrual cycle. Functional cysts are further divided into 2 types: Follicular and luteum cysts. Follicular cysts occur during menstrual cycle when the follicles fail to break open and release an egg. Such a phenomenon causes the fluid to get accumulated inside the follicle giving rise to development of follicular cysts [2]. 

Luteum cysts develop after the follicle has released the egg during the monthly ovulation cycle. Such type of cysts contains some amount of blood along with fluid.

In some cases, taking fertility drugs can also lead to development of large cysts on the ovaries. However, such a condition may get corrected after the menstrual cycle or after pregnancy.

Ovarian cysts are a common occurrence in almost all premenopausal women. It has also been estimated that about 18% of women in their postmenopausal stage develop ovarian cysts. The exact incidence of ovarian cysts however is unknown due to its high resolution rate and lack of appropriate recording of cases [3]. Research has postulated the fact that ovarian cysts are the most common cause of fetal and infant tumor, with a prevalence rate of about 30%.

Under normal conditions, during each menstrual cycle every month, an egg is released by the follicles. In conditions when the follicle fails to break open and release an egg, the fluid continues to stay in the follicle and is not released giving rise to development of cysts. Such a type of cyst that develops within a follicle is known as follicular cysts [4]. The second type of cyst known as the corpus luteum cysts develop after the egg is released from the follicle. A cyst of this type may also contain blood in it.

It is practically impossible to prevent the development of ovarian cysts. However, regular follow up examination with gynecologist can help in detection of cysts in its early stages.

Ovarian cysts are a common problem experienced by almost all women across the globe at least once in their lifetime. In majority of the cases, ovarian cysts that develop, present with no signs and symptoms, are harmless and cause no discomfort to the affected woman. Such type of cysts usually resolve by themselves requiring no treatment [1]. However, those cysts that rupture are a significant cause of discomfort and produce serious debilitating symptoms.

Definition

Ovarian cysts are the ones which develop either on the surface or inside the ovary. These cysts develop in women in the child bearing age. In majority of the cases, the cysts resolve without any treatment.

Cause

There are 2 types of ovarian cysts: Follicular and corpus luteum cysts. The follicular cysts develop when the follicle fails to break and release egg during monthly menstrual cycle. In corpus luteum cysts, mass develops after the follicles have released the egg.

Symptoms

Symptoms of ovarian cysts include, pain in the pelvic region during menstruation, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, pain during intercourse and painful bowel movements.

Diagnosis

A pelvic examination to observe for tenderness and inflammation of the pelvic region is carried out. In addition, blood tests, pregnancy test, ultrasound of the pelvic are also necessary to confirm the condition.

Treatment

When the cysts enlarge in size and cause discomfort, treatment would include administration of birth control pills to stop the process of ovulation. In addition, surgical procedures may also be required for removal of the cysts [10].

1. Bailey CL, Ueland FR, Land GL, DePriest PD, Gallion HH, Kryscio RJ, et al. The malignant potential of small cystic ovarian tumors in women over 50 years of age. Gynecol Oncol. Apr 1998;69(1):3-7.
2. Castillo G, Alcázar JL, Jurado M. Natural history of sonographically detected simple unilocular adnexal cysts in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Gynecol Oncol 2004; 92:965.
3. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 110: noncontraceptive uses of hormonal contraceptives. Obstet Gynecol. Jan 2010;115(1):206-18.
4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Gynecologic Practice. Committee Opinion No. 477: the role of the obstetrician-gynecologist in the early detection of epithelial ovarian cancer. Obstet Gynecol 2011; 117:742.
5. Holt VL, Cushing-Haugen KL, Daling JR. Risk of functional ovarian cyst: effects of smoking and marijuana use according to body mass index. Am J Epidemiol. Mar 15 2005;161(6):520-5.
6. Modesitt SC, Pavlik EJ, Ueland FR, et al. Risk of malignancy in unilocular ovarian cystic tumors less than 10 centimeters in diameter. Obstet Gynecol 2003; 102:594.
7. Chan L, Lin WM, Uerpairojkit B, Hartman D, Reece EA, Helm W. Evaluation of adnexal masses using three-dimensional ultrasonographic technology: preliminary report. J Ultrasound Med. May 1997;16(5):349-54.
8. Perrotin F, Potin J, Haddad G, et al. Fetal ovarian cysts: a report of three cases managed by intrauterine aspiration. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2000; 16:655.
9. Osmers R. Sonographic evaluation of ovarian masses and its therapeutical implications [editorial].Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. Oct 1996;8(4):217-22. 
10. Arisaka O, Shimura N, Nakayama Y, et al. Ovarian cysts in precocious puberty. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 1989; 28:44.