Before going on to look at ovarian cysts in detail, it is useful to have a rough idea of what an ovarian cyst is. In this section we will give a brief medical background to ovarian cysts.

What is a cyst?

A cyst is a sac of fluid that can form grow on any part of they body. The liquid in the sac can vary in terms of viscosity from very liquidy to solids which would be known as tumours. Although some cysts can be cancerous, because the solid ones are known as tumours does not necessarily mean that they are actually cancerous.

What are the ovaries?

The ovaries are 2 small organs and form part of the female reproductive system. Every month they release an egg into the uterus where it can be fertilised by sperm to begin the pregnancy process. The ovaries are also responsible for regulating the female's menstrual cycle by releasing hormones into the body.

What is an ovarian cyst?

The eggs form inside a follicle in the ovaries. This follicle is given a constant supply of fluid to support and protect the egg while it form. In the normal scenario, the follicle will burst, the egg will be released and the follicle will shed its fluid and disappear. However, sometimes the egg may not be released properly or the follicle may not shed its fluid and in these instance an ovarian cyst is formed.

When do they become a problem?

In the majority of cases the cyst will continue to grow for up to around 6 weeks and then simply disappear. The women will generally not feel any pain or symptoms at all and would not even know that she had an ovarian cyst. Unfortunately it does not always happen like this. The cyst can grow very large or can undergo complications such as being ruptured or twisted and may require surgery for it to be removed.

Next: Ovarian cyst cause

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