Parents, recently presenter Kiky Saputri had a miscarriage due to fatigue and ovarian cysts. In fact, due to this condition, Kiky’s left ovary needed to be removed.
So, what exactly is an ovarian cyst? Let’s see the full explanation below. From symptoms, how to overcome it, to prevention efforts.
Getting to Know What Ovarian Cysts Are
Parents, ovarian cysts are benign tumors that form due to enlargement or lumps in the ovaries (ovaries) or on their surface. These cysts can affect both ovaries simultaneously, or only affect one.
This cyst, which is common in women, usually causes discomfort to sufferers, such as abdominal pain.
In fact, ovarian cysts are not dangerous, and most disappear without surgery. However, this condition cannot be ignored,Parents.
This is because cysts can cause severe symptoms if they bend or burst. Also, some cases of cysts that are not treated properly can also cause serious problems and develop into ovarian cancer .
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For
Often, this condition does not cause any symptoms. According to the National Health Service , symptoms may only be felt if the cyst ruptures, is very large, or blocks the blood supply to the ovary.
Here are some symptoms that are usually felt:
- Pain or bloating in the abdomen, or a bloated feeling in the abdomen.
- Difficulty urinating, or frequent urination.
- Pain in the lower back.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Menstrual pain and unusual bleeding.
- Drastic weight gain.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Loss of appetite, stomach feels full quickly (even though you only eat a little).
- Pelvic pain, which can be sudden, severe, and sharp.
- Difficulty getting pregnant.
If you have any of the above symptoms, it is important to see a doctor.
Impact on Fertility
Quoting from the Mayo Clinic page , some cases of these cysts can be associated with decreased fertility. However, it also depends on the type you have. Here are some types of ovarian cysts and their causes.
Types and Causes
1. Functional Cyst
Functional cysts usually arise or develop as a result of ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries).
This is the most common type of ovarian cyst and is not dangerous. Instead, the presence of functional cysts is a sign that the ovaries are functioning properly.
Also, functional cysts usually shrink over time. The lump will shrink within 60 days or within 2-3 menstrual cycles without any special treatment.
Functional cysts are divided into 2 types, namely:
Small sacs in the ovaries, called follicles, release an egg every month as part of the menstrual cycle.
Follicular cysts form when a follicle does not release an egg. Instead, the follicle fills with fluid and grows larger.
After the follicle releases the egg, it forms a group of hormone-producing cells calledcorpus luteum. Cysts form when fluid collects in thecorpus luteumand causes it to grow.
2. Other Cysts
In addition to functional cysts that arise due to the menstrual cycle and are not dangerous, here are other types of ovarian cysts that you need to know about:
- Cystadenoma . These cysts form on the surface of the ovaries and contain a thin, watery or thicker, mucus-like fluid.
- Dermoid cysts (teratomas) consist of cells that make up all types of tissue in the human body, from skin, hair, teeth and even brain tissue.
- Endometriomas . Also called endometriosis , these cysts are filled with endometrial tissue, the same tissue you shed each month during your period. Endometriosis can be very painful and can affect fertility.
- Polycystic ovaries . This condition is caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) , the follicles where eggs normally mature fail to open, causing cysts to form. This condition means that the ovaries contain a large number of small cysts which can then cause the ovaries to enlarge. If left untreated, polycystic ovaries can cause infertility.
Risk Factors
Quoting the Mayo Clinic page , anyone can experience cysts. However, people with certain risk factors may be more susceptible to experiencing them, such as:
- Women who have not experienced menopause .
- Pregnancy.
- Severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can spread to the ovaries and cause cysts.
- History of previous cysts. If you have had one ovarian cyst before, you are more likely to have more.
- History of endometriosis. Some tissue can attach to the ovaries and form cysts.
- Taking fertility drugs to help ovulation, such as clomiphene or letrozole .
Possible Complications
This condition can cause complications, such as:
1.Ovarian Torsion(Ovarian Torsion)
Cysts that become large can cause the ovaries to shift/move which causes pain (ovarian torsion).
If this happens, you may experience severe pelvic pain, nausea, and vomiting. Ovarian torsion can also reduce or stop blood flow to the ovaries.
2.Cyst Rupture
A ruptured cyst can cause severe pain and bleeding in the pelvis.
The larger the cyst, the greater the risk of rupture. Strenuous activities that affect the pelvis, such as vaginal sex, also increase the risk of rupture.
3. Infected Ovarian Cyst
According to WebMD , cysts can develop in response to pelvic infections and form abscesses. If the abscess ruptures, harmful bacteria can spread throughout the body.
Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects an ovarian cyst in your uterus from the symptoms you report, he or she may recommend one or more of the following tests:
- A pregnancy test is to make sure you are not pregnant. If the result is positive, you may have a cyst.corpus luteum.
- A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your uterus and ovaries, to see if there are any cysts, where the cysts are, and to find out what type they are.
- Hormone level tests to check for hormone-related problems, such as too much estrogen or progesterone.
- Laparoscopy . Through a small incision in your lower abdomen, your doctor will insert a thin instrument with a light and camera into your abdomen so he can see your ovaries.
- CA-125 blood test to check for ovarian cancer. If you have a cyst that is partially solid, your doctor may want to test your blood for a protein called CA 125 (cancer antigen 125). Ovarian cancer is generally more common in people with uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
How to Handle
In most cases, the cyst disappears within a few months without the need for treatment. However, the doctor will need to do an ultrasound examination a few weeks or months later to see if the cyst has disappeared or not.
If it doesn’t go away, the doctor will perform several treatments, such as:
If you have recurrent ovarian cysts, your doctor may prescribe oral contraceptives to stop ovulation and prevent new cysts from developing, not to make the cysts go away.
Oral contraceptives may also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. The risk of ovarian cancer is higher in postmenopausal women.
Some conditions require surgery to remove a sample of the cyst. Cyst conditions that require this treatment are cysts that are large and do not disappear. Whether the cyst is removed in part or in whole depends on the case you are experiencing.
If the cyst is small and the imaging test results are cancerous, the doctor may perform a laparoscopy (a small incision in the lower abdomen) as a surgical procedure to remove the cyst.
If the cyst is large, the doctor will perform a laparotomy surgery by removing the cyst through a large incision in the abdomen. The doctor will perform a direct biopsy to determine if the cyst is cancerous.
Signs of a Ruptured Ovarian Cyst
So, how can we know if an ovarian cyst has ruptured?
Hopkins Medicine explains that not all women experience ovarian cyst rupture. However, most generally feel pain when it ruptures and then feel uncomfortable for a few days afterward. Usually, symptoms can be relieved with over-the-counter medications.
Signs that may be experienced if an ovarian cyst ruptures include:
- Sharp, sudden pain in the lower abdomen or back
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Bloated.
Seek emergency medical attention if you also have abdominal pain with:
- Severe nausea and vomiting (may indicate ovarian torsion)
- Fever (may indicate infection)
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Fainting or dizziness
Ovarian Cyst Surgery
If the ovarian cyst is severe and ruptures, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary (cystectomy). In some cases, the ovary with the cyst is removed (oophorectomy).
Surgery can often be performed using laparoscopic surgery with a laparoscope and instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen.
Cysts that develop after menopause can sometimes be cancerous. In this case, you may need to see a gynecologic cancer specialist. Surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries may be necessary to treat this condition.
How Much Does Ovarian Cyst Surgery Cost?
The cost of ovarian cyst surgery in 2024 depends largely on the hospital chosen.
In Indonesia, the cost of ovarian cyst surgery ranges from IDR 5 million to IDR 7 million, and there are also those that cost up to tens of millions of rupiah depending on the type of treatment, procedure and hospital.
Are Ovarian Cysts Covered by BPJS?
Cyst and myoma surgery is included in the list of 19 medical surgery services whose costs are covered by BPJS Kesehatan. So, ovarian cyst surgery is included in the procedures that are-coverBPJS.
Prevention Efforts
There is no way to prevent most of these cysts. However, regular pelvic exams can help ensure that changes in the ovaries are diagnosed as early as possible.
Be aware of any changes in your monthly menstrual cycle as well. Note any unusual menstrual symptoms, especially those that last more than a few cycles.
After that, consult your doctor about any changes or symptoms that worry you.
Foods That Cause Ovarian Cysts
If you have ovarian cysts, here is a list of foods to avoid to prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Here is the full list as quoted from the Super Food Sanctuary page:
1. Red Meat
Try to avoid eating red meat such as pork, beef and lamb.
If you can’t avoid them, at least limit your consumption. These foods can cause cysts to form and can worsen existing cysts as well.
Dark meat is also high in fat which is another reason why you should avoid it.
2. Fried food
Fried foods such as French fries, fried chicken, and others, are some of the foods that ovarian cyst sufferers should avoid.
This is because eating a lot of fried foods can cause rapid weight gain.
The processed vegetable oils used to fry these foods are artificial and contain hormone-disrupting chemicals.
3. Foods that are high in saturated fat
Saturated fat is a type of dietary fat that is unhealthy if consumed excessively. It can increase cholesterol levels in the body.
Foods rich in saturated fat include butter, cheese & cream, beef and lamb, packaged foods & sweets,junk foodand much more.
4. High Sugar Foods
Refined sugar is one of the worst foods that can cause these cysts to appear.
Foods high in refined sugar include soft drinks, processed juices, cakes, pastries , biscuits and sweets.
Refined sugar causes a major imbalance in hormone levels which leads to the formation of cysts or irritates existing cysts.
5. Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages like alcohol are the ones that patients with ovarian cysts should avoid. These foods disrupt the hormonal balance of our body which causes ovarian cysts to be produced. Avoid alcohol completely when trying to shrink this type of cyst.
6. Caffeinated Drinks
Caffeine is a major cause of body dehydration and increased inflammation. If you are prone to ovarian cysts, please avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea soda, and soft drinks.
These drinks are very likely to cause new cysts as well as worsen existing ones.
7. Starchy Foods
Other food categories to avoid include starchy foods like potatoes, corn, pasta, bread, etc. You can limit your consumption of these foods as they cause a short-term spike in insulin and lead to the formation of ovarian cysts.
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That’s the explanation regarding ovarian cysts. Don’t let it be too late to be treated, okay. Stay healthy, Mom.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
