The ovaries are female organs found on each side of the womb or the uterus. They have two main functions. The first is to release an egg every 28 days while the other is to release the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

What is an Ovarian Cyst?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on or inside the ovaries. These are most commonly benign and can go away in several months even without treatment. But you should know that ovarian cysts can cause complications such as haemorrhage, torsion (organ twisting), and rupture. All these are considered gynaecological emergencies. This is one condition that you should promptly get diagnosed and treated to avoid high morbidity and mortality.

What are the Signs of an Ovarian Cyst?

You can only feel the common symptoms of an ovarian cyst if it ruptures, if it is very large, or if it twists and then blocks the supply of blood to your ovaries. You would feel the following symptoms in one of these three cases:

1. Pelvic pain that can be sharp and severe or you may feel a dull and heavy sensation
2. Pain during sexual intercourse
3. Frequent urge to urinate or trouble pooping
4. Abnormal menses (can be heavy, irregular, or lighter)
5. Feeling full or bloated/subtle pressure in your lower abdomen (or on one side of your body)

If the above symptoms linger or last for a long time, they could be signs that you have a PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome. That is why regardless of the severity and longevity of your symptoms, you should regularly see a gynaecologist for regular check-ups and testing.

What Causes This Condition

Ovarian cysts usually form as a result of menstruation/ovulation. These cysts, when benign, are called functional cysts. The ovaries develop small cysts (follicles) every month. Follicles produce the two sexual hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, and they break open to release an egg when a woman ovulates. A functional cyst develops if a monthly follicle keeps growing. It has two types: follicular cyst and corpus luteum cyst. It’s harmless and rarely causes pain.

Other Non-Menstrual-Related Cysts

There are three more cysts that can become large and move the ovary out of its original location. They are dermoid cysts (teratoma), cystadenoma, and endometrioma.

The Risk Factors

You are at a higher risk of an ovarian cyst if you have/are the following:

• Hormonal problems, like if you are taking a fertility drug that causes you to ovulate
• Pregnant (the follicle that forms during ovulation may stay on your ovary throughout pregnancy)
• Endometriosis (some of the uterine tissue may get attached to your ovary and form a cyst)
• Severe pelvic infection that can spread to the ovaries
• Had one ovarian cyst in the past, you are likely to develop more

Prevent Ovarian Cysts from Developing

There is no absolute way to prevent most ovarian cysts. The common kinds develop due to ovulation. What you need to do is regular pelvic exams, especially if you think you are at risk of developing ovarian cysts. Get diagnosed as early as possible. During menses, be proactive and notice if there are any changes in your cycle. Take note of them and discuss them with your healthcare provider.

When To See a Doctor

You should immediately contact your doctor and book a clinical appointment when you experience the symptoms of a ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion. Besides the sudden, sharp pain in your pelvis, you may experience vaginal bleeding, nausea/vomiting, and pressure or aching in your abdomen. Do not delay and get yourself checked.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

The first and foremost thing that your gynae or doctor will do is to rule out pregnancy as the cause of your symptoms. If you are not pregnant, they may conduct a pelvic exam to look for lumps and changes in your pelvic region. An ultrasound will confirm what’s suspected in a pelvic examination. It can detect the location and the nature (like if it is fluid or solid) of the cysts. Your doctor may also perform a laparoscopy to view your reproductive organs and the pelvic cavity. In case you are diagnosed with an ovarian cyst during the procedure, they can already remove it.

How it is treated or managed

The gynaecologist may recommend monitoring the cyst, give you medications or suggest surgery to remove the cyst. The approach differs according to the type of cyst you have. The treatment may also vary along with your age.

1. For monitoring as part of treatment/management, this is usually recommended if your cyst is functional. Your doctor will tell you when you can do a follow-up ultrasound (can be a few weeks or months after your diagnosis).
2. As for medication as treatment, you may be prescribed birth control pills to stop ovulation so that the risk of developing an ovarian cyst is lowered.
3. The third one is surgery. It’s performed if a cyst causes symptoms and is getting bigger. If your doctor suspects that the cyst might be cancerous, they may refer you to a cancer specialist or a gynaecological oncologist to discuss the best treatment options for you.

Should You Worry If It’s Left Untreated?

It depends on the type of cyst and the cause. This is why it is best that you regularly go to your doctor or gynae for a check-up to err on the side of caution. They will tell you when a cyst needs close monitoring or if it is completely harmless. So never disregard this health concern.

More Frequently Asked Questions About Ovarian Cysts

What size of the ovarian cyst can be considered dangerous?

You will need surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst measuring 5 to 10 cm. The danger that comes with an ovarian cyst does not lie in the size, but in the kind of cyst that develops on or in your ovaries.

How do ovarian cysts form?

These cysts form in response to your body’s changes during menstruation. They are often benign and do not rupture to release the egg. What ruptures are pathological cysts or cysts that are disease-related. These can twist, burst, or grow very large blocking the blood supply.

Who/What doctor should I see for ovarian cysts?

There are three kinds of doctors who can diagnose and treat ovarian cysts—a gynaecologist, a primary care doctor, or an OB-GYN doctor.

How to remove ovarian cysts? How do doctors remove them?

If you have a functional cyst (benign ones), it may go away with time. But if you are diagnosed with a disease-related ovarian cyst, you may need surgery, either through a laparoscopy or a laparotomy (if the cyst is very large or cancerous). The type of surgery will depend on the size, the number, and the possibility of cancer.

How long can I have an ovarian cyst?

There is no definitive answer to this question. You can have one for months or years; no one knows. It will also depend on the type of cyst and the kind of treatment your doctor is going with. For instance, if you have a dermoid cyst, the only time you will see the doctor is when it’s already large and uncomfortable. In short, it depends on how proactive you are about sexual health.

How much does an ovarian cyst surgery cost in Singapore?

The estimated bill size may be around 6,000 to 8,000 SGD (a rough estimate only). Please refer to these estimated costs by the National University Hospital and the cost financing for SI805O by the Ministry of Health Singapore for more accurate hospital bill estimates.

Will an ovarian cyst affect my fertility?

The truth is ovarian cysts sometimes make it challenging to conceive. If an operation is your only option, raise a question with your surgeon (prior to the surgery) if the ovaries and your fertility won’t be affected when the cyst(s) are removed. Because there are some cases that both ovaries may need to be removed. 

Conclusion

An ovarian cyst is one of the many health concerns that many women may experience at some point in their lives. Talking or consulting your doctor about this should not be a hard thing to do, as they may form complications when you ignore them. Find the best gynaecologist in Singapore on your own terms and let them take charge of your gynaecological health and care. WS Law Women’s Clinic and Laparoscopic Surgery Centre is committed to raising every woman’s quality of life through timely and appropriate health care. Learn more about our services!