Ovarian Cysts

What is an ovarian cyst?

By definition, a “cyst” is a collection of fluid.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that is within the ovary. While most ovarian cysts are benign (non-cancerous) some cysts which form in the ovary can be malignant (cancerous)

Ovaries are the organs that produce eggs and female hormones and affect our body’s appearance, menstrual cycle, and pregnancy.

What are the different types of ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are common and are one of the leading reasons that women seek help from their gynecologists. Often they produce symptoms of lower abdominal pain.

Common types of cysts include:

• Functional cysts (commonly referred to as “ovulation cysts”).
• Dermoid cysts interestingly may contain teeth, bones, and hair and are usually genetic.
• Endometriomas are cysts caused by endometriosis.
• Cysts associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Cysts associated with ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Cyst Treatment at KLASS

Helping women regain control

In most cases, ovarian cysts are small, harmless & produce no symptoms. However, immediate attention is needed if they get larger, if they twist (torsion), or if they burst.

The surgeons at KLASS have a niche focus in GYN techniques that result in fast recovery with less pain. Their advanced techniques allow women to have minimally invasive cyst removal.

Feel free to learn more below about treatment options and how we can help you regain control of your life.

Learn more about ovarian cysts

What are the ovaries?

The ovaries are a pair of small, almond-shaped organs in the female reproductive system. They are present in the female pelvis on the right and left of the uterus. They are responsible for releasing an egg monthly during a woman’s reproductive years. The egg can be subsequently fertilized by the sperm. One other important function of the ovaries is to produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are necessary for a woman’s menstrual cycle, pregnancy, if present, body shape, bone health, and overall health.

What is a Functional Ovarian Cyst?

Before the egg is released from the ovary, it forms in a small fluid-filled sac called a follicle. The fluid protects the egg while it develops and is released with the egg during ovulation.

If the follicle does not break open and the fluid is not released, a follicular ovarian cyst may develop.

If the follicle reseals after it bursts and the fluid re-accumulates, a corpus luteum cyst will then develop. Bleeding inside the follicle results in a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst.

These types of cysts are called functional cysts, as they may develop monthly during the normal function of the ovary. Functional cysts are the most common types of ovarian cysts, and they usually resolve within one to two months.

What is a Benign Ovarian Cyst or Tumor?

Ovarian cysts that are not part of a menstrual cycle are known as ovarian tumors. Some tumors can be cystic or filled with fluid, some can be solid, and some can have both cystic and solid components. Ovarian tumors usually do not resolve and require surgical removal.

What are some of the symptoms of ovarian cysts?

In most cases, ovarian cysts are small, harmless, and produce no symptoms. In other cases, cysts may cause problems if they get larger, if they twist (ovarian torsion), or if they burst and cause internal bleeding. Immediate attention and treatment is then needed.

Other types of cysts can form as a result of disease or from the egg not being released. These may be larger and more painful.

While some ovarian cysts don’t cause any symptoms, others may experience:

1. Pressure, swelling in the abdomen.
2. Abdominal or pelvic pain, when a cyst ruptures, the fluid contained inside is spilled into the pelvis and abdomen causing pain.
3. Pain during sexual intercourse.
4. Weight gain.
5. Some women may have abnormal bleeding since certain ovarian cysts produce hormones which can alter the menstrual cycle.
6. Nausea or vomiting.
7. Chronic complaints of bloating and vague urinary symptoms are also common among women with ovarian cysts.

Your risk for developing an ovarian cyst can be heightened by?

• Hormonal problems. These include taking the fertility drug clomiphene (Clomid), which is used to cause you to ovulate or long term contraceptive use.
• Pregnancy. Sometimes, the cyst that forms when you ovulate stays on your ovary throughout your pregnancy ( Corpous Leuteum).
• Endometriosis. This condition causes uterine endometrial cells to grow outside your uterus and within the walls of the ovary.
• A severe pelvic infection. If the infection spreads to the ovaries, it can cause cysts.
• A previous ovarian cyst. If you’ve had one, you’re likely to develop more.

How to prevent ovarian cysts

Although there’s no way to prevent ovarian cysts, regular pelvic examinations help ensure that changes in your ovaries are diagnosed as early as possible.

Be keen to changes in your monthly cycle, including unusual menstrual symptoms, especially ones that persist for more than a few cycles.

Treatment for Ovarian Cysts

Many cysts will go away on their own, so initial treatment may just be to wait and see if the size changes. Your doctor will likely recommend that you get follow-up pelvic ultrasounds at intervals to see if your cyst changes in size.

Medication
Your doctor might recommend hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills, to keep ovarian cysts from recurring. However, birth control pills won’t shrink an existing cyst.

Surgery
Your doctor might suggest removing a cyst that is large(more than 4 cms) and is growing, continues through two or three menstrual cycles, or causes pain.

Treatment Plans to Take Care of Her

Most ovarian cysts can be removed through minimally invasive surgical techniques.

At KLASS, we offer extensive treatment of ovarian cysts.

If surgery is the last option to release you from consistent symptoms, we remove the ovarian cysts laparoscopically.

Most cysts can be removed without removing the ovary (ovarian cystectomy). In some cases, we might suggest removing the affected ovary and leaving the other intact (oophorectomy).

With this procedure, patients are generally discharged the same day and can return to their normal activities about one week after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy or oophorectomy

If a cystic mass is cancerous, you might need to have your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed (total hysterectomy) and possibly chemotherapy or radiation.

We also recommend surgery when an ovarian cyst develops after menopause.

At KLASS we are well versed in the diagnosis and management of ovarian cysts, and offer the most up to date treatments available. If you think you might have an ovarian cyst, we encourage you to call or visit us as soon as possible.

Your Ovarian Cyst Treatment With Prof. Rafique Pakar

Healthcare you can trust

Prof. Rafique Parkar pioneered Minimal Access Surgery in Africa 25 years ago and operates at the highest level of expertise in Africa. ( Level VI )

He is committed to improving the lifestyles of women in Kenya and the world by helping them gain access to top-level minimal access surgery in Africa.

He strongly believes that all women have the right to informed consent and should have access to the best treatment plans suited for them and that is the reason why he founded KLASS ( Kenya Laparoscopic Surgery Services ).

Together with his team at KLASS, they provide the highest level of holistic surgical care to women, ensuring that they meet their individual health needs.

Prof. Rafique Parkar specializes in helping women who ail from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Uterine Fibroids, Endometriosis, Pelvic Floor Problems, Ectopic Pregnancies, and Gynecologic Cancers.