Cysts On Ovaries

Many women develop cysts on ovaries.  These cysts are tiny sacs filled with fluid which are either on or in the ovary.  While they can become cancerous, the majority of ovarian cysts are benign. 

There are two primary types of ovarian cysts.  The first type, and most common, is called a functional cyst.  The second type is an abnormal cyst.

Functional cysts

It is during a woman’s menstrual cycle when functional cysts on ovaries are usually formed.  There are two different kinds of functional cysts: follicle cysts and corpus luteum cysts. 

Follicle cysts develop when too much fluid surrounds the developing egg.  The fluid-filled sac doesn’t open and allow the egg to be released.  Instead, they continue to grow.

Typically, follicle cysts are very small and disappear in a couple of months as the fluid dissolves and empties into the blood stream.  On rare occasions, these cysts can grow to 3 or 4 inches, but even those will usually go away on their own. 

Unlike follicle cysts on ovaries, corpus luteum cysts develop when the sac closes up, rather than dissolving, after releasing the egg.  The fluid continues to increase, causing the cyst to grow.  This type of cyst may reach 4 inches in size.  Corpus luteum cysts may cause pain in the pelvic or abdominal area as they can cause the ovary to twist.  They may also burst and bleed, causing sudden intense pain. 

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Abnormal Cysts

When abnormal cells begin to grow they may cause abnormal cysts on ovaries to develop.  These types of cysts are often benign as well, and in fact some are never detected.  There are several types of abnormal cysts which can develop on the ovaries:  dermoid cysts (also known as teratomas), cystadenoma cysts, and endometrial cysts (sometimes called chocolate cysts) are three types of abnormal cysts.  These types of cysts may be caused by a number of factors. 

Dermoid cysts are often considered a type of ovarian tumor.  They may be comprised of several kinds of cells.  Bone tissue, completely formed teeth, skin, hair, sebum, muscle tissue, sweat glands, and even tissue from the thyroid may be found in these rather bizarre cysts on ovaries.  Like many ovarian cysts, dermoid cysts are usually benign.  About 1 to 2 percent is cancerous, and those are usually found in women over the age of 40. 

Dermoid cysts are often asymptomatic.  However, they can become quite large – up to 17 inches, and cause pain if they start to twist or rupture and bleed.  To prevent that from happening, it is often recommended that dermoid cysts on ovaries be removed.  

Cystadenoma Cysts

This type of cyst can become very large, sometimes weighing many pounds.  There are two types of cystadenoma ovarian cysts:  mucinous cystadenomas and serous cystadenomas.  The mucinous type contains a fluid which is thick and sticky.  The fluid in the serous type is generally watery in consistency.  They usually are on the outside of the ovary, and at times can become malignant. 

Endometrial Cysts

A third type of ovarian cysts is the endometrial kind.  These are sometimes called “chocolate cysts” due to the color of the bloody fluid they contain.  Endometrial cysts develop in women with endometriosis.  These cysts can cause pain while menstruating as well as during sexual intercourse.  As they increase in size they may eventually rupture. 

Many cysts on ovaries go undetected until they are discovered during a routine gynecological examination.  If your doctor does find them, he or she can advise you as to the best type of treatment for them.

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