Follicular ovarian cyst
Ovarian follicular cyst is a special type of tumor in the tissues of the ovary. For its formation, a follicle is needed that has not passed the ovulation process. A follicular cyst is a functional formation. The symptoms of the disease often have no clinical signs. In individual cases, there is a pain syndrome in the lower abdomen, a change in the menstruation cycle, its delay, possibly infertility. Diagnosis of a follicular cyst consists in conducting an initial examination by a gynecologist, laparoscopy, and echography. Ovarian follicular cyst, the treatment of which is possible for recurrent formations, as well as persistent, is a fairly common disease today. Treatment of such cysts is associated with drug therapy based on hormonal and anti-inflammatory drugs. Complicated forms of cysts, as well as their long-term preservation in the tissues of the ovary, should be subjected to surgical treatment.
The content of the article:
Follicular cyst — what is it?
Causes of the appearance of a follicular cyst
Symptoms of ovarian follicular cyst
Diagnosis of ovarian follicular cyst
Treatment of ovarian follicular cyst
Prevention of ovarian follicular cyst
Follicular ovarian cyst
Follicular cyst — what is it?
Follicular ovarian cyst occurs due to the dominant type of follicle against the background of the absence of ovulation period. Such a cyst is a benign neoplasm, the growth of which occurs due to the secretion of blood vessels entering it. Also, an increase in the diameter of the cyst is possible if the granulosa epithelium cells are separated.
The follicular cyst is a single ball, inside of which there is a secret of a sandy shade. Its walls have a fairly thin structure with smooth tissues. The size of the cyst varies between 3-8 cm in diameter. The formation is placed in one of the ovaries, without further movement. The tendency of follicular cysts tends to dissolve independently during several cycles of menstruation. With a follicular ovarian cyst, the delay of menstruation is the norm and acts as another sign of the disease.
Follicular cyst of the left ovary and the right is a fairly common disease in modern gynecology. About 80% of all cases are due to the formation of such ovarian cysts, which is most often observed in women of reproductive age, less often during menopause.
Causes of the appearance of a follicular cyst
The main reasons that play a role in the occurrence of ovarian cysts are as follows:
dysfunction of the endocrine system of the body;
hormonal imbalance;
surgical abortions, as a result of which there is a malfunction of the ovaries;
inflammation of the reproductive system: salpingitis, oophoritis;
careless use of contraceptive drugs;
constant stimulation of ovulation in infertility;
chronic diseases of the body of a complicated form;
unstable psycho-emotional state of a woman;
increased physical activity.
Follicular cyst of the right or left ovary may also occur in newborns. In this case, the reason for this is the production of the hormone estrogen from the mother to the fetus. In addition, the cause of a cyst in a newborn may be a hormonal crisis during delivery.
Symptoms of ovarian follicular cyst
The symptoms of the appearance of a cyst in women manifest themselves only with the development of a large diameter formation (8 cm or more). In this case, the signs characterizing the cyst are as follows:
inguinal pain;
pain with sudden movements, as well as excessive physical exertion;
discomfort during sexual intercourse;
changing the nature of the menstrual cycle: heavy discharge, irregularity and spotting in the middle of the cycle;
a feeling of swelling of the lower abdomen.
A small cyst (up to 5 cm in diameter) does not show any special symptoms, but is detected during a gynecological examination.
A follicular cyst that persists for several months is called persistent. The presence of such causes an anovulatory menstrual cycle of a chronic form. A persistent cyst may also indicate infertility.
With ovulation in an unchanged ovary, pregnancy is possible. However, the preservation of education during pregnancy can lead to serious consequences, in some cases — the termination of the gestation period.
A large follicular cyst can lead to internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity against the background of ovarian apoplexy. It is also possible to rupture the formation, necrosis of ovarian tissue, twisting of the leg of the ovarian cyst. With intra-abdominal bleeding, clinical signs of an acute abdomen are observed. With the development of the latter, there is a piercing pain of the lower abdomen and inguinal zone, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, pallor of the skin.
Often, such symptoms are characteristic of patients with increased physical fatigue or during gestation.
Diagnosis of ovarian follicular cyst
Diagnosis of ovarian cyst is carried out by the following clinical methods:
examination of the vagina and abdominal wall;
echography;
laparoscopy.
During gynecological examination, a spherical tumor is differentiated by palpation. The location of the cyst is on the side of the uterus, slightly closer to the anterior wall. The formation is characterized by mobility, dense consistency, smooth walls, no pain when pressing.
Ultrasound is performed to recognize the tumor and identify its morphological signs. The diameter of the cyst varies between 3-8 cm, the formation is single, there is a liquid inside it. The plaque walls are up to 2 mm thick, smooth, even. Ultrasound examination also shows the surface of the ovaries, the internal tissues of which are not affected by the tumor. Dopplerometry shows the internal blood flow of a small pressure of the peripheral zone.
During the diagnosis of an ovarian cyst, it is necessary to identify the possible development of an ovarian cyst. Laparoscopy is indicated for accuracy.
Treatment of ovarian follicular cyst
Ovarian cyst treatment is not performed in the presence of small tumors (up to 6 mm in circumference). Most often, such formations take place independently by the beginning of menstruation or after several cycles. Treatment of follicular ovarian cyst in this case consists in observing the patient for 2-3 months, after which it is necessary to conduct additional ultrasound examination.
A recurrent cyst is treated by taking oral contraceptives, anti-inflammatory drugs, and vitamin therapy. Physiotherapy is also prescribed for the treatment of this type of cyst. It includes:
magnetic therapy;
electropharesis;
ultraphonophoresis.
Surgical interventions are indicated for cysts of persistent large sizes (more than 8 cm), with the dynamics of an increase in formation. The operation involves peeling the cyst by laparoscopy, followed by stitching the walls. It is possible to perform ovarian resection in individual cases.
In the presence of complications of a follicular cyst of any form, the operation is performed immediately.
Prevention of ovarian follicular cyst
Preventing the appearance of a follicular cyst is the treatment of hormonal disorders and inflammatory processes of the body. It is also necessary to visit a gynecologist as a preventive measure once every 6 months.
Pregnancy in the presence of a cyst requires careful monitoring and control of formation in the ovary.
