Ovarian cysts are a common but unwanted reality for many women all over the world.
A by-product of a small irregularity in their menstrual cycle, ovarian cysts are small fluid filled sacs that form on the ovaries after the follicle (sac that contains the egg during menstruation) does not disappear as normal.
Most of the time, these cysts form and later disappear showing no symptoms at all.
On occasion, however, the ovarian cysts grow larger, do not disappear and can cause complications leading to ovarian cyst surgery.
Ovarian cyst surgery is done for a variety of reasons including: Diagnosis-sometimes the cyst cannot be properly diagnosed through other procedures and doctors must perform an invasive surgery to get a closer look at exactly what they are dealing with To rule out cancer-or to diagnose if the cyst is cancerous.
Either way, ovarian cyst surgery will allow the doctor to treat the cyst properly.
Cyst will not disappear or grows larger-If the doctor has advised you to wait and see if the cyst disappears, and it does not and symptoms worsen, a surgery may be perform to remove the cyst completely.
Cysts have been diagnosed on both ovaries-because of the potential damage to the ovaries and possibly long term effects of the reproductive system, cysts located on both ovaries are often surgically removed.
Menopause-Women who have been through menopause and then have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst may be scheduled for ovarian cyst surgery as they have a higher probability of the cyst not going away naturally.
Never experienced a menstrual cycle-Young women who have not had their first period but have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst may need to get it removed surgically as well.
The above scenarios are in fact rare.
The overwhelming majority of ovarian cysts simply disappear with not treatment at all.
Surgery is a last resort and is only necessary in the above scenarios or if unforeseen complications occur.
If surgery IS scheduled, there are two main types performed to remove the cysts.
The first is laparoscopy.
This is a very small abdominal incision that is made and allows the doctor to remove small harmless cysts.
If you have this procedure done, you should be able to resume normal activities within 24 hours, but it is recommended you do not do anything strenuous for up to 2 weeks following the procedure.
The second type of ovarian cyst surgery is laparotomy.
This surgery involved a much larger abdominal incision and is the result of the diagnosis of larger cysts or even ovarian cancer.
The larger incision allows the doctor a better view of the entire reproductive system and will better allow the removal of cancer if it is found.
In some cases, one or both of the ovaries may be removed.
Again, these cases are rare, but can occur.
Following a laparotomy, the patient may be required to stay in the hospital for up to 4 days and will have a 4 to 6 week recovery period.
As you can see, while usually normal and harmless, ovarian cysts can worsen and cause complications.
It is advised if you experience symptoms that you seek treatment early so as to avoid the possibility of need ovarian cyst surgery.
A by-product of a small irregularity in their menstrual cycle, ovarian cysts are small fluid filled sacs that form on the ovaries after the follicle (sac that contains the egg during menstruation) does not disappear as normal.
Most of the time, these cysts form and later disappear showing no symptoms at all.
On occasion, however, the ovarian cysts grow larger, do not disappear and can cause complications leading to ovarian cyst surgery.
Ovarian cyst surgery is done for a variety of reasons including: Diagnosis-sometimes the cyst cannot be properly diagnosed through other procedures and doctors must perform an invasive surgery to get a closer look at exactly what they are dealing with To rule out cancer-or to diagnose if the cyst is cancerous.
Either way, ovarian cyst surgery will allow the doctor to treat the cyst properly.
Cyst will not disappear or grows larger-If the doctor has advised you to wait and see if the cyst disappears, and it does not and symptoms worsen, a surgery may be perform to remove the cyst completely.
Cysts have been diagnosed on both ovaries-because of the potential damage to the ovaries and possibly long term effects of the reproductive system, cysts located on both ovaries are often surgically removed.
Menopause-Women who have been through menopause and then have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst may be scheduled for ovarian cyst surgery as they have a higher probability of the cyst not going away naturally.
Never experienced a menstrual cycle-Young women who have not had their first period but have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst may need to get it removed surgically as well.
The above scenarios are in fact rare.
The overwhelming majority of ovarian cysts simply disappear with not treatment at all.
Surgery is a last resort and is only necessary in the above scenarios or if unforeseen complications occur.
If surgery IS scheduled, there are two main types performed to remove the cysts.
The first is laparoscopy.
This is a very small abdominal incision that is made and allows the doctor to remove small harmless cysts.
If you have this procedure done, you should be able to resume normal activities within 24 hours, but it is recommended you do not do anything strenuous for up to 2 weeks following the procedure.
The second type of ovarian cyst surgery is laparotomy.
This surgery involved a much larger abdominal incision and is the result of the diagnosis of larger cysts or even ovarian cancer.
The larger incision allows the doctor a better view of the entire reproductive system and will better allow the removal of cancer if it is found.
In some cases, one or both of the ovaries may be removed.
Again, these cases are rare, but can occur.
Following a laparotomy, the patient may be required to stay in the hospital for up to 4 days and will have a 4 to 6 week recovery period.
As you can see, while usually normal and harmless, ovarian cysts can worsen and cause complications.
It is advised if you experience symptoms that you seek treatment early so as to avoid the possibility of need ovarian cyst surgery.