Do ovarian cysts require the removal of the ovary?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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When women discover ovarian cysts, it is not necessarily required to remove the entire ovary. For example, in women of childbearing age, the ovary can continue to ovulate, aiding in normal conception and secreting hormones to maintain normal endocrine function. In such cases, surgery to remove the ovarian cyst while preserving the healthy ovarian tissue can be performed. However, if a woman is nearing menopause or has already undergone menopause and discovers a large ovarian cyst, the function of the ovaries may have gradually declined or already ceased. If surgery is performed to remove the ovarian cyst, there is a possibility of recurrence, and the function of the ovary may already be lost. In this case, it might be appropriate to proceed with the removal of the ovary.

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Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of ovarian cysts

There are several common causes of ovarian cysts. The first is during the ovulation process where the follicle fails to release an egg, resulting in the formation of follicular cysts. The ultrasound typically shows these as simple cysts containing follicular fluid. Another situation is the corpus luteum cyst, which occurs after ovulation when the ovary forms a wound surface and a corpus luteum. Cysts can also develop during the growth of the corpus luteum. These two types of cysts generally disappear after the next menstrual period and are considered physiological cysts that usually require no treatment. However, some cysts result from pathological changes in ovarian cells, or even from tumors. On an ultrasound, these appear differently, often as mixed composition masses, in which case surgical treatment is recommended.

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Symptoms of ovarian cyst carcinogenesis

The main symptom of malignant transformation of ovarian cysts is increased abdominal pain, which generally occurs on one side, including either the left or right side, since the ovaries are present on both sides. If the cyst is unilateral, rapid growth can cause lower abdominal distension and pain. Therefore, when such symptoms aggravate, timely examination is necessary. Initially, a gynecological examination is recommended to assess the boundaries of the ovarian cyst and to palpate its nature and texture. These are essential evaluations. If there is a potential for malignancy, sometimes nodular changes, which may be metastases, can be detected in the posterior cul-de-sac. Subsequently, an ultrasound should be performed, with vaginal ultrasound generally providing greater accuracy.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do ovarian cysts hurt?

This ovarian cyst is generally a benign tumor change. Normally, ovarian cysts do not show any symptoms. However, as the cyst grows larger, it may cause an increase in abdominal size and bloating. It may also press on the gastrointestinal tract and the bladder, leading to corresponding urinary and gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, changes in body position may lead to acute abdomen, such as ovarian cysts, torsion of the stalk, rupture of ovarian cysts, and other conditions.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if an ovarian cyst ruptures?

Ovarian cyst rupture refers to the expulsion of the fluid inside an ovarian cyst out of the cyst due to external forces. When an ovarian cyst ruptures, the patient can suddenly experience severe pain in the lower abdomen on one side, which is often unbearable. At the same time, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may accompany the pain. If the fluid inside the cyst is irritating, for example, the fluid in an endometriosis cyst which resembles chocolate, this fluid can promote widespread abdominal pain. This irritation can lead to peritonitis. Generally, an ovarian cyst rupture requires immediate surgical intervention for treatment.