Ovarian cysts are something many women have, but few know they exist. Unless you have pain or other symptoms, ovarian cysts often don't show signs or cause problems.
However, if you've had several ovarian cysts, you may be wondering why you’re developing them. There are several reasons women may be prone to ovarian cysts.
At Collaborative Women's Care in Miami, Florida, Dr. Eduardo Valdes offers well-woman exams and ultrasounds for pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding. He's an experienced OB/GYN helping women get to the bottom of frequent ovarian cysts.
Ovarian cysts are either fluid-filled or semi-solid sacs that form within or on the ovaries. Most cysts are completely harmless, and many women don't know they have them until they show up on an ultrasound.
There are several types of ovarian cysts, including functional cysts. The most prevalent are follicular and corpus luteum cysts. Other types of cysts are endometriomas, dermoid cysts, and cystadenomas.
Most ovarian cysts go away without treatment, and they rarely cause symptoms or complications. In rare cases, an ovarian cyst is a sign of cancer.
The only way to truly diagnose an ovarian cyst is through a pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. If you don't have any symptoms, that's the only definitive way to know if one forms on your ovaries.
Many women are at risk for ovarian cysts, although not everyone knows they are. Women can develop ovarian cysts at any point in life, but they're more common in the childbearing years. They are especially prevalent in women who are regularly ovulating.
However, some women are more at risk than others for ovarian cysts. Common risk factors for cyst development include:
Women of childbearing age are most at risk for ovarian cysts because of how they follow the menstrual cycle. Premenopausal women who regularly ovulate are most at risk for cyst formation, especially functional ovarian cysts.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to that inside the uterus grows in the pelvic cavity. This tissue can sometimes attach to the ovaries and lead to cyst formation. Women with endometriosis are at risk for endometriomas, a type of ovarian cyst.
PCOS is a type of health issue that causes multiple cysts to develop in or on the ovaries. Many women with PCOS have other symptoms but aren't aware of various cysts until diagnosis. PCOS is one of the main conditions that lead to chronic ovarian cysts.
Infertility treatments help women struggling to conceive and achieve pregnancy through various methods, including medications. Some infertility medications work by increasing the number of eggs you release each month, causing multiple cysts to form.
However, these cysts often disappear after stopping infertility medications. It's also possible to get ovarian cysts during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, you can't completely keep ovarian cysts from developing. However, you can take specific steps to reduce your risk, especially if you're prone to having them.
If you're not trying to get pregnant, hormonal birth control is a great option to prevent ovulation, which is the leading cause of functional ovarian cysts. It's a treatment option to keep further cysts from forming.
Managing underlying conditions that cause ovarian cysts is also important. If you're living with PCOS or endometriosis, getting the proper treatment is key to keeping cysts at bay. Routine pelvic exams are essential to keeping yourself healthy and preventing further issues.
To learn more about our ovarian cyst treatments, call our Miami, Florida, office to speak with Dr. Valdes or request an appointment using our convenient online booking feature.
