Ovarian cysts have no symptoms

Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Most ovarian cysts are physiological, so few people experience symptoms. Common ovarian cysts include corpus luteum cysts and other ovarian cysts, which generally disappear naturally after two to three months. Therefore, if the ovarian cyst is not large, within five centimeters, and there are no symptoms, it is possible to temporarily observe it and perform an ultrasound after two to three months. If the cyst has not decreased in size or continues to grow, it may be an ovarian tumor, which would require surgical treatment. This is because if an ovarian tumor is left for a long time, it may become malignant or may lead to ovarian torsion.

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Are ovarian cysts serious?

Ovarian tissue is very complex in composition. It is the site with the most types of primary tumors among all body organs. Different types of ovarian tumors exhibit significant differences in histological structure and biological behavior. Benign ovarian tumors are typically small, often asymptomatic, and are usually discovered incidentally during gynecological examinations. As cysts grow, one may experience abdominal bloating or feel a mass in the abdomen. During examination, abdominal distention can be observed, the mass is usually mobile, percussion shows a dull sound, and there is no shifting dullness. If the tumor is malignant, there are often no symptoms in the early stages; later stages mainly present with symptoms of abdominal bloating, abdominal masses, and gastrointestinal symptoms. If adhesions occur with surrounding tissues, symptoms of compression, such as abdominal pain, back pain, and leg pain may also appear. Therefore, ovarian tumors should be treated promptly once detected.

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Symptoms of benign ovarian cysts

When women develop benign ovarian cysts, the clinical symptoms are somewhat related to the number and size of the cysts. For example, when the cysts are relatively small in diameter, they usually exhibit no clinical manifestations and are often only discovered during routine gynecological exams or ultrasound screenings. As the cysts grow in size, some women may experience heaviness and pain on one side of the lower abdomen, along with a sore back. These abdominal symptoms can worsen with excessive fatigue, staying up late, or during intercourse. Some women may also experience abnormalities in their menstrual cycle, such as changes in the amount of menstrual bleeding, duration of menstruation, or irregular vaginal bleeding.

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Is an adnexal cyst the same as an ovarian cyst?

Adnexa clinically refers to the fallopian tubes and ovaries combined, thus, adnexal cysts are not necessarily ovarian cysts. During gynecological ultrasound, these are often reported as cysts in the adnexal area because the proximity of the ovaries and fallopian tubes makes it difficult to conclusively determine if an adnexal cyst is an ovarian cyst. Clinically, cysts in the fallopian tubes are also referred to as cysts in the adnexal area. Distinguishing them often requires surgery to see the exact location of the cyst for identification.

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How to eliminate ovarian cysts?

Currently, most ovarian cysts in clinical practice require surgical removal. However, not all ovarian cysts need to be removed surgically. For some ovarian cysts, such as pelvic inflammatory cysts, anti-inflammatory treatment can be given first. After one course of anti-inflammatory treatment, the treatment effect should be evaluated. If the treatment effect is unsatisfactory, surgical treatment can be considered again. Furthermore, if the ovarian cyst is not large, it is also not indicated for surgical removal. Therefore, the severity of the condition needs to be assessed before treating an ovarian cyst.

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Do ovarian cysts hurt?

Most ovarian cysts do not cause abdominal pain, especially when they are small and benign. However, some patients with ovarian cysts may experience abdominal pain symptoms. For example, endometriotic cysts, also known as chocolate cysts, can cause severe lower abdominal pain, particularly manifesting as menstrual-like abdominal pain. When these pain symptoms occur, the primary reason patients initially visit local hospitals is to undergo medical examination for the condition.