How Long Does Perimenopause Last?
If you’ve started experiencing the symptoms of perimenopause 一 missed periods, hot flashes, mood swings, or irritability 一 you’re likely wondering how long these symptoms might last. Read on to find out.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled growths on the ovary. Although an estimated 10% of women have them, not all women realize it. Sometimes cysts are small and cause few (if any) problems, but larger cysts can lead to issues with your menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods or heavy bleeding.
At OB/GYN Care Orlando in Oviedo, Florida, our medical team specializes in identifying when a cyst requires careful monitoring versus medical intervention. Should your cysts require medical intervention, our team provides high-quality gynecological care and can recommend the appropriate treatment options, such as robotic surgery.
Below, we explore the basics of ovarian cysts and identify the signs that your cysts may require medical intervention.
Some cysts develop as part of your normal menstrual cycle. These cysts are called functional cysts and form as part of the egg-producing process.
The two types of functional ovarian cysts are follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts. Normally, your follicle releases an egg, but if the follicle doesn’t release an egg 一 and continues to grow 一 you may have a follicular cyst. A corpus luteum helps produce hormones during pregnancy, but sometimes a cyst can grow. Corpus luteum cysts form when the follicle releases an egg and continues to grow afterward.
These functional cysts are the most common types, and these are typically asymptomatic. Functional cysts generally resolve on their own, but in some cases, they can grow large enough to cause problems.
While functional cysts form in connection to your menstrual cycle, dermoid cysts, cystadenomas, and endometriomas don’t grow for other reasons. Dermoid cysts contain embryonic cells and endometriomas are related to endometriosis and contain uterine cells. Cystadenomas are fluid-filled, grow on the surface of your ovary, and can become quite large.
Not all cysts require medical intervention. That said, it’s essential to know the type of cyst you have before embarking on a treatment plan.
Here are three signs your cysts require treatment:
Sometimes cysts can create an emergency situation. If, for instance, the weight of an ovary becomes heavy enough to twist, you may require immediate medical care. That is called ovarian torsion, and it can compromise blood flow. Additionally, if a cyst ruptures, it causes severe pain and internal bleeding. Both torsion and ruptured cysts warrant emergency medical care.
Symptoms of these two emergencies include sudden, severe pelvic pain, abdominal pain, fever or vomiting, and symptoms of shock, such as dizziness, cold clammy skin, and rapid breathing.
Unfortunately, once a cyst ruptures or causes ovarian torsion, treatment options are limited. You may receive IV fluids, pain medication, and in severe cases, surgery (an oophorectomy) to remove your affected ovary. If you spot any early signs of ovarian cysts, our team would, of course, encourage you to see us for cyst treatment long before you experience a cyst-related emergency.
Even if your cyst isn’t causing a medical emergency, it still can present unpleasant symptoms, such as pain, irregular periods, and constipation. Treatment for ovarian cysts depends on the type and size of your cyst and the severity of your symptoms. Here at OB/GYN Care Orlando, our team may recommend any of the following:
Questions about cysts? We’re just a call or click away. You can reach us at our Oviedo, Florida, office at 321-304-6249, or you can schedule an appointment online.
