WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for July, 1997: Re: Ovarian Cysts

Re: Ovarian Cysts

From: D. Ashley Hill, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 31 Jul 1997 19:56:44 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Ella: "Ovarian Cysts"

At Thu, 31 Jul 1997, Ella wrote: >
>I am 32 years old and was just diagnosed with an ovarian cyst.

Ella-

The overwhelming majority of ovarian cysts in your age group are benign (not cancerous)and are a result of the normal, monthly cycles that occur in your body. During the first few weeks of your menstrual cycle (right after your last period), some hormones from your brain "go after" the ovaries and stimulate them to produce cysts. A dominant cyst, called a follicle, then grows faster than the others and releases an egg about halfway between periods (about day # 14 of your cycle). If the egg is not fertilized then the cyst changes into a specialized cyst called a corpus luteum cyts. A week or so later it collapses, and a period occurs.

As you can see, it is completely normal and natural for women to have ovarian cysts. Problems arise when a cyst enlarges (usually to greater than 5cm, just under tennis-ball size) because they can become tender or can twist, cutting off the blood supply and causing severe pain. Some cysts are not normal, but are not cancerous, including endometriosis cysts, dermoid cyts (cysts filled with hair, teeth, and other tissues), and a variety of other types. Unfortunately, some women (about 1 in 70 lifetime chance) develop ovarian cancer. If caught early, it is quite curable, but most cases are not caught until stage III, which is more advanced, making treatment difficult or impossible.

A 3cm cyst as you describe is almost certainly benign. Your doctor will reexamine you shortly, and it will probably be gone. If not, or if it grows, then many doctors will recommend either laparoscopy or open surgery to remove the cyst, and hopefully spare the remainder of the ovary. Finally, while birth control pills will usually prevent the formation of further cysts, there is no evidence that they make existing cysts shrink.

Good luck with your problem, and thank you for posting your question.

--
Ashley Hill
D. Ashley Hill, M.D.
Associate Director
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency
Orlando, FL
dahmd@gate.net

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