Gynacological solutions center

Hydrosalpinx

What is hydrosalpinx?

Hydrosalpinx is a condition where fluid accumulates in one or both fallopian tubes, creating a blockage. Your fallopian tubes extend from your uterus to your ovaries. Each month, as part of your menstrual cycle, your ovaries produce an egg that moves through your fallopian tubes. Healthy fallopian tubes provide an open passageway for an egg and a s***m to unite (fertilization). The fertilized egg, or embryo, travels the same open passageway to your uterus. From there, an embryo can implant in your uterine wall and develop into a fetus.

With a hydrosalpinx, fluid build-up blocks this passageway. A blocked fallopian tube may prevent s***m from reaching your egg. If fertilization does occur, the blockage in your fallopian tube can prevent the embryo from reaching your uterus.

How common is hydrosalpinx?

Twenty to 30% of infertility cases involve problems related to the fallopian tubes (tubal factor infertility). Hydrosalpinx is present in 10% to 20% of these cases.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

How does hydrosalpinx affect my body?

An untreated hydrosalpinx can make it difficult to become pregnant, and it can increase your risk of miscarriage and pregnancy complications. In addition to making it difficult to get pregnant through in*******se, a hydrosalpinx can:

Increase your risk of an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy: An embryo that’s unable to reach your uterus because of a blockage may implant in your fallopian tubes, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy. These pregnancies aren’t viable and can be life-threatening without treatment.

Decrease your chances of becoming pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF): IVF can help you get pregnant without your fallopian tubes. With IVF, your provider collects your eggs and fertilizes them outside your body using s***m from your partner or a donor. Then, your provider transfers the embryo into your uterus, where it can develop. A hydrosalpinx can cause problems once the embryo implants into your uterine wall. Research suggests that the fluid from a hydrosalpinx can flow backwards into your uterus, creating an unhealthy environment for a developing embryo.

Treating a hydrosalpinx increases your chances of a healthy pregnancy, even if you opt for IVF.

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

What are the signs and symptoms of a hydrosalpinx?

A hydrosalpinx rarely causes symptoms. You may not realize your tubes are blocked until your provider investigates what’s making it difficult for you to become pregnant.

When symptoms are present, they include:

Pelvic pain that may worsen during or immediately following your period.

Vaginal discharge that’s discolored and/or sticky.

What causes a hydrosalpinx?

An untreated infection is the most common cause of a hydrosalpinx. Harmful bacteria can damage your fallopian tubes and cause them to become inflamed. This inflammation often happens at the part of your fallopian tube near your ovaries, or your fimbriae. Your fimbriae are finger-like extensions that sweep an egg from your ovaries into your fallopian tubes.

As part of the healing process, your fimbriae may fuse together, sealing your fallopian tubes. Fluid gets trapped inside your tubes, causing them to swell.

Hydrosalpinx causes include:

Previous untreated s*xually transmitted infections (STIs), like chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), oftentimes resulting from untreated STIs.

Scar tissue left over from pelvic surgery, especially surgery on your fallopian tubes.

Tissue build-up from endometriosis.

Some tumors.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

What tests will be done to diagnose a blocked fallopian tube?

Tests to check your fallopian tubes for a blockage include:

Ultrasound: Your fallopian tubes aren’t usually visible on an ultrasound. But if they’re swollen because of fluid build-up, they’ll appear larger than usual. Sometimes, they’ll be shaped like sausage. Your provider can order additional tests to confirm that what’s causing the change is a hydrosalpinx.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An HSG is an X-ray dye test to check for blockages in your fallopian tubes. It’s the most common test used to diagnose hydrosalpinx. Your provider will insert a dye med

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a disease of the va**na caused by excessive growth of bacteria.Common symptoms include increased va**nal discharge that often smells like fish. The discharge is usually white or gray in color. burning with urination may occur.Itching is uncommon. Occasionally, there may be no symptoms. Having BV approximately doubles the risk of infection by a number of s*xually transmitted infection including HIV/AIDS. It also increases the risk of among pregnant women

Benefits of Having S*x While Pregnant

When you are eagerly expecting an addition to your family, you may have some concerns about the changes happening to you or your partner’s body. While there are many activities that should be put on hold during pregnancy, having s*x is not usually included as something to avoid. We have put together a list of the benefits of s*xual in*******se while your baby is forming in your womb.

Is S*x During Pregnancy Safe?

For any healthy female without complications during her pregnancy, s*x can be a safe and enjoyable experience. S*xual in*******se can provide both mental and physical benefits, including improving your emotional connection with your partner, relieving stress and anxiety, burning calories, and reducing tension.

Your womb, uterine muscles, mucus plug (that forms around the cervix), and amniotic fluid protect your young one while you move. Remember to communicate throughout the process to ensure your experience is enjoyable for both you and your partner, especially as hormone fluctuations affect your mood. S*x has not been linked to premature labor or miscarriage, which is a common concern of parents.

What Are the Benefits of Having S*x While Pregnant?

1. Or***ms Can Be Intensified

Many women report having stronger or***ms during pregnancy, increasing their s*xual satisfaction and reducing stress levels. During the second trimester, hormones and a boost of blood flow can significantly increase s*x drive. Chemicals released in the brain after an or**sm can help ease pain and increase immunity.

2. S*x Is a Great Workout

When you are s*xually active, you are continuously working out and burning calories, which can help lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause many different issues during pregnancy (as well as create problems for men and women at any age). After a bedroom session, you may find that you also fall asleep quicker and have a more relaxing night of sleep.

3. Improved Labor and Recovery Time

Or***ms are contractions of your pelvic muscles, which strengthens them, helping to ease labor pains and improving bladder control to avoid leaks or urination during pregnancy. Stronger pelvic muscles can also lead to a quicker recovery after giving birth.

4. Enhanced Self-Confidence

Changes in your body and fluctuating hormones can lead to feeling differently about your body. Many women begin to feel unattractive during pregnancy. Frequent s*xual in*******se with your partner can help boost your self-esteem and make you feel like yourself again.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection usually spread by s*xual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore — typically on your ge****ls, re**um or mouth. Syphilis spreads from person to person via skin or mucous membrane contact with these sores.

After the initial infection, the syphilis bacteria can remain inactive (dormant) in your body for decades before becoming active again. Early syphilis can be cured, sometimes with a single shot (injection) of penicillin. Without treatment, syphilis can severely damage your heart, brain or other organs, and can be life-threatening. Syphilis can also be passed from mothers to unborn children.

Symptoms
Primary syphilis
Primary syphilis Open pop-up dialog box
Syphilis develops in stages, and symptoms vary with each stage. But the stages may overlap, and symptoms don't always occur in the same order. You may be infected with syphilis and not notice any symptoms for years.

Primary syphilis
The first sign of syphilis is a small sore, called a chancre (SHANG-kur). The sore appears at the spot where the bacteria entered your body. While most people infected with syphilis develop only one chancre, some people develop several of them.

The chancre usually develops about three weeks after exposure. Many people who have syphilis don't notice the chancre because it's usually painless, and it may be hidden within the va**na or re**um. The chancre will heal on its own within three to six weeks.

Secondary syphilis
Within a few weeks of the original chancre healing, you may experience a rash that begins on your trunk but eventually covers your entire body — even the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. This rash is usually not itchy and may be accompanied by wartlike sores in your mouth or ge***al area. Some people also experience hair loss, muscle aches, a fever, a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. These signs and symptoms may disappear within a few weeks or repeatedly come and go for as long as a year.

Latent syphilis
If you aren't treated for syphilis, the disease moves from the secondary stage to the hidden (latent) stage, when you have no symptoms. The latent stage can last for years. Signs and symptoms may never return, or the disease may progress to the third (tertiary) stage.

Tertiary syphilis
About 15% to 30% of people infected with syphilis who don't get treatment will develop complications known as late (tertiary) syphilis. In the late stage, the disease may damage your brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. These problems may occur many years after the original, untreated infection.

Neurosyphilis
At any stage, syphilis can spread and, among other damage, cause damage to the brain and nervous system (neurosyphilis) and the eye (ocular syphilis).

Conge***al syphilis
Babies born to women who have syphilis can become infected through the placenta or during birth. Most newborns with conge***al syphilis have no symptoms, although some experience a rash on the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet. Later signs and symptoms may include deafness, teeth deformities and saddle nose — where the bridge of the nose collapses.

However, babies born with syphilis can also be born too early, be born dead (stillborn) or die after birth.

When to see a doctor
Call your doctor if you or your child experiences any unusual discharge, sore or rash — particularly if it occurs in the groin area.

Best Ways to Prevent Getting HIV
By Dr.christopher weefar .Harris MD/Obgyn
--------------------------------------------------------------------
How CD4 Counts Help Treat HIV and AIDS
The CD4 count is a test that measures how many CD4 cells you have in your blood. These are a type of white blood cell, called T-cells, that move throughout your body to find and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other invading germs.

Your test results help your doctor know how much damage has been done to your immune system and what's likely to happen next if antiretroviral treatment (ART) is not initiated. All persons with HIV should be started on ART regardless of whether the CD4 count is high or low. The CD4 count should increase in response to effective ART.

Keeping your CD4 count up with an effective ART can hold off symptoms and complications of HIV and help you live longer. In fact, studies have found that patients who adhere to regular treatments can achieve a life span similar to persons who have not been infected with HIV.

Persons with very low CD4 counts may need to take drugs to prevent specific opportunistic infections (OIs) in addition to taking their ART. Once the CD4 count increases in response to ART, it may be possible to stop taking these OI medications.

CONTINUE READING BELOW
-----------------------------------------------------
What Does HIV Do to CD4 Cells?
HIV damages your immune system because it targets CD4 cells. The virus grabs on to the surface of a cell, gets inside, and becomes a part of it. When the infected CD4 cell dies, it releases more copies of HIV into he bloomstream.

Those new bits of virus find and take over more CD4 cells, and the cycle continues. This leads to fewer and fewer HIV-free, working CD4 cells.

HIV can destroy entire "families" of CD4 cells, and then the germs these cells fight have easy access to your body. The resulting illnesses are called opportunistic infections (OIs) because they take advantage of your body's lack of defense.

What the Results Mean
--------------------------------------
A normal CD4 count is from 500 to 1,400 cells per cubic millimeter of blood. CD4 counts decrease over time in persons who are not receiving ART. At levels below 200 cells per cubic millimeter, patients become susceptible to a wide variety of OIs, many of which can be fatal.

CONTINUE READING BELOW
------------------------------------------------
The test results don't always match how well you're feeling though. Some people can have high CD4 counts and be doing poorly, for other reasons. Others can have low CD4 counts but feel well, with few complications. However, such patients are at risk of becoming very ill if they don’t start HIV treatment.

Anyone who is HIV-positive should take antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications, regardless of their CD4 count and whether or not they have symptoms. When your treatment is working, your CD4 count should stay steady or go up.

If your CD4 count keeps going down over several months despite adhering to ART, it is possible that your virus is developing resistance to the drugs that you are taking. This should be apparent from HIV viral load tests, which your doctor should be doing every few months. In this case, your doctor may want to change your ART drugs.



What Else Can Affect Your CD4 Count
Things other than the HIV virus can influence how high or low your CD4 count is, too.

CONTINUE READING BELOW
-----------------------------------------------
An infection like the flu, pneumonia, or a herpes simplex virus (including cold sores) can make your CD4 count go down for a while.

Your CD4 count will go way down when you're having chemotherapy for cancer.

To get the most accurate and helpful results for your CD4 count, try to:

Use the same lab each time.
Wait for at least a couple of weeks after you've been sick or gotten a shot before you get a test.

When to Get a Test
Right after you're diagnosed, you should get a CD4 count for a "baseline measurement." That gives your doctor something to compare future test results to.

It may also indicate the need for drugs to prevent specific OIs in addition to the drugs you are taking for HIV.

A viral load test 2 to 8 weeks after you start or change treatment helps your doctor decide how well the ART is working. A CD4 test will indicate whether the immune system is improving in response to ART.

CONTINUE READING BELOW
-------------------------------------------------
Then you should typically get a CD4 test every 3 to 6 months, or as often as your doctor recommends, to see how well your immune system is doing. Persons with low CD4 counts who are taking drugs to prevent specific OIs in addition to their ART may be able to stop these OI drugs as their immune system responds to ART. Persons with CD4 counts above 500 who maintain viral suppression may not need further CD4 testing.

Most ovarian cysts develop as a result of your menstrual cycle (functional cysts). Other types of cysts are much less common.

Functional cysts

Your ovaries normally grow cyst-like structures called follicles each month. Follicles produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone and release an egg when you ovulate.

If a normal monthly follicle keeps growing, it's known as a functional cyst. There are two types of functional cysts:

Follicular cyst. Around the midpoint of your menstrual cycle, an egg bursts out of its follicle and travels down the fallopian tube. A follicular cyst begins when the follicle doesn't rupture or release its egg, but continues to grow.

Corpus luteum cyst. When a follicle releases its egg, it begins producing estrogen and progesterone for conception. This follicle is now called the corpus luteum. Sometimes, fluid accumulates inside the follicle, causing the corpus luteum to grow into a cyst.

Functional cysts are usually harmless, rarely cause pain, and often disappear on their own within two or three menstrual cycles.

Other cysts

Types of cysts not related to the normal function of your menstrual cycle include:

Dermoid cysts. Also called teratomas, these can contain tissue, such as hair, skin or teeth, because they form from embryonic cells. They're rarely cancerous.

Cystadenomas. These develop on the surface of an o***y and might be filled with a watery or a mucous material.

Endometriomas. These develop as a result of a condition in which uterine endometrial cells grow outside your uterus (endometriosis). Some of the tissue can attach to your o***y and form a growth.

Dermoid cysts and cystadenomas can become large, causing the o***y to move out of position. This increases the chance of painful twisting of your o***y, called ovarian torsion. Ovarian torsion may also result in decreasing or stopping blood flow to the o***y

By Dr.christopher Harris MD/ OBGYN

10 problems associated with drinking too much water

Water is no doubt the most essential substance in the life of man. But like most things, too much of it (overhydration) is bad and can lead to water intoxication. And this can lead to hyponatremia, impaired brain function, and sometimes death. Since about 50% of adults are dehydrated, doctors and dietitians ask us to keep ourselves hydrated. But this is often misconstrued, and people end up drinking more water than their body actually needs. So, how much water should you drink? What are the symptoms of water intoxication and can it be reversed? Give this post a read and find out the dangers of drinking too much water.

Image result for black woman drinking water
1. Causes Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a decrease in sodium levels below 136 mmol/liter blood serum (5). It happens due to quick overhydration. Sodium is an important salt that helps in cell signaling and various other functions in the body. So, when your serum sodium levels drop, you start feeling nauseous, disoriented, fatigued, or get a headache. And in severe cases, it might also lead to death.

2. Causes The Cells To Swell Up
When sodium decreases in your body, by the principle of osmosis, water enters the cell through the semipermeable cell membrane (6). This results in swelling up of the cells. The swelling of the body cells (including the brain) causes serious damage to the muscle tissues, organs, and brain.

3. Causes Hypokalemia
Overhydration can cause hypokalemia or a decrease in potassium ions. The balance between intracellular and extracellular potassium ions is hampered when you drink too much water. In fact, a mere 1% change in potassium ion distribution can lead to a whopping 50% change in plasma potassium ion concentration. And this can result in severe diarrhea and prolonged sweating.

Image result for black woman drinking water
4. Affects The Brain
Hyponatremia or low-sodium in the blood can cause the brain to swell up. And this, in turn, results in speech disability, disorientation, walking instability, psychosis, and even death (8).
5. Overburdens The Heart
The heart performs the vital function of pumping blood through your entire body. When you consume too much of water, it increases the volume of blood inside your body. The increased blood volume exerts unnecessary pressure on the blood vessels and the heart, leading to seizure in some cases.

6. Overburdens The Kidneys
Consuming too much water can put pressure on your kidneys to function constantly. Your kidneys can filter about a liter of fluid per hour from the body. Beyond that, they have to work extra hard to maintain homeostasis.

Image result for black woman drinking water
7. Causes Liver Problems
It is important to note that this problem is not caused by merely drinking too much water. Rather, it happens by drinking too much of water with iron in it. Iron overload is not exactly detrimental, but in rare cases, it may cause liver-related problems as well.

8. Frequent Urination
Frequent urination, say once in every 15 minutes, can be really frustrating, whether you are at home, work, or school. When you drink too much water, your kidneys function constantly, and as a result, you have to rush to the washroom again and again.

drinking water
9. Poses The Risk Of Chlorine Overdose
Drinking too much water can put you at the risk of chlorine overdose. And when that happens, you will be at the risk of developing cancer. So, stay hydrated and not overhydrated.

10. Coma
The brain and visceral organ damage that your body goes through ultimately lead to coma and death. Therefore, you must drink water carefully. Do not drink too much water within a short window of time.

Now, the burning question is, how much water is good for you? Here’s what the experts recommend

Doctors identify new HIV strain
Nov 8, 2019



A U.S. pharmaceutical firm has identified a new subtype of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and said the finding showed that cutting edge genome sequencing is helping researchers stay ahead of mutations.

The strain, HIV-1 Group M subtype L, has been recorded in three people from blood samples taken between the 1980s and 2001, all in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Abbott laboratories told AFP on Thursday.

To classify a new subtype, three cases must be discovered independently, according to guidelines issued in 2000.

Group M is the most prevalent form of the HIV-1 virus. Subtype L is now the 10th of this group and the first to be identified since the guidelines were issued.

Antiretroviral drugs, which today can reduce the viral load of an HIV carrier to the point at which the infection is both undetectable and cannot be transmitted further, have generally performed well against a variety of subtypes, according to research.

But there is also some evidence of subtype differences in drug resistance.


“Since subtype L is part of the major group of HIV, Group M, I would expect current treatments to work with it,” Mary Rodgers, a principal scientist and head of the Global Viral Surveillance Program at Abbott told AFP.

She added that Abbott was making the sequence available to the research community to evaluate its impact on diagnostic testing, treatments and potential vaccines.

“In an increasingly connected world, we can no longer think of viruses being contained to one location,” added Carole McArthur, a professor of oral and craniofacial sciences at the University of Missouri Kansas City, who co-authored a paper on the finding in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (JAIDS).

“This discovery reminds us that to end the HIV pandemic, we must continue to out-think this continuously changing virus and use the latest advancements in technology and resources to monitor its evolution,” she added.

The third sample was collected 18 years ago but was difficult to sequence given technical constraints at the time.

Abbott said the breakthrough was possible thanks to next-generation sequencing technology that allowed scientists to build up an entire genome at higher speed and lower cost.

“This scientific discovery can help us ensure we are stopping new pandemics in their tracks,” Rodgers said

A woman is most likely to get pregnant seven to 10 days after her period ends, notes WebMD. This is the time period when ovulation typically occurs. However, this time period can vary.
The Menstrual Cycle
A woman's cycle starts on the first day of her period. For most women, ovulation occurs two weeks into the cycle. However, that can vary. Women can ovulate anywhere from 11 to 21 days into the cycle. It's important for women trying to conceive to keep a diary of their cycle. This will help them get to know their cycle.

Getting Pregnant
A woman can get pregnant, even if in*******se occurs before ovulation. This is because s***m can live in a female's Fallopian tubes for up to seven days. This means the s***m can fertilize an egg several days after in*******se. It is important to remember that even though there are days that pregnancy is more likely, pregnancy can occur anytime with unprotected s*x.
Factors Affecting Pregnancy
There are several factors that can affect a woman's chances of getting pregnant, states WebMD.

Age: The older a woman, the lower the chances. After age 30, a woman's chances of conceiving decline. After age 40, women experience a sharp decline. However, it is still possible to get pregnant after 40.

Irregular periods: For women who have irregular cycles, it can be hard to determine ovulation. That is because ovulation may not occur at the same time each month.

Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions or illnesses can affect pregnancy. If a woman has concerns about her medical history, she should talk with a doctor before trying to conceive.

How to Increase Pregnancy Chances
There are things couples can do to increase their odds of getting pregnant, notes WebMD.

Frequent in*******se: Many couples will time s*x with ovulation. However, it is recommended that couples have in*******se more than just on ovulation days. Some experts say couples should have in*******se every other day to increase their chances of conceiving. However, if it is suspected that the male has a low s***m count, talk with a doctor first.

Stay in bed: Right after in*******se, stay in bed for about 15 minutes. This can increase the chances of the s***m getting into the cervix. There are myths that raising legs in the air will help, but doctors say that is not true.

Relax: Stress can interfere with ovulation. So, the more a woman is stressed, the harder it will be to conceive. Harvard Medical School conducted a study of 184 women experiencing fertility problems. More than half of those who completed a course on relaxation training become pregnant within one year, compared to 20 percent who did take the relaxation training.

Get moderate exercise: Too much exercise can affect ovulation. However, moderate exercise can help. Try to get exercise five times a week for at least 30 minutes.

Don't smoke: Smoking can actually decrease fertility as it affects estrogen levels.

Follow a healthy diet: It is important to have a healthy diet and avoid alcohol. Speak with a doctor about taking prenatal vitamins when you are trying to conceive. This is good for both the

Everything you need to know about ovarian cysts

Last updated Thirs.13 Jun 2019

By Christopher weefar Harris MD

Table of contents

An ovarian cyst happens when fluid accumulates within a thin membrane inside the o***y. The size can range from as small as a pea to larger than an orange.
A cyst is a closed sac-like structure. It is divided from surrounding tissue by a membrane. It is an abnormal pocket of fluid, similar to a blister. It contains either liquid, gaseous, or semi-solid material. The outer or capsular portion of a cyst is called the cyst wall.
It is different from an abscess because it is not filled with pus. A pus-filled sac is an abscess.
Most ovarian cysts are small and harmless. They occur most frequently during the reproductive years, but they can appear at any age.
There are often no signs or symptoms, but ovarian cysts can sometimes cause pain and bleeding. If the cyst is over 5 centimeters in diameter, it may need to be surgically removed.

Fast facts on ovarian cysts:

An ovarian cyst is a buildup of fluid within an o***y surrounded by a thin shell, or membrane.

Ovarian cysts are usually harmless, but a large one may need to be removed.

There are two main types of ovarian cysts: functional ovarian cysts and pathological cysts.

In most cases, ovarian cysts will cause no signs or symptoms.

Causes

There are two main types of ovarian cysts:

Cysts can develop anywhere on the body, some may be microscopically small and others very large.

Functional ovarian cysts - the most common type. These harmless cysts form part of the female's normal menstrual cycle and are short-lived.

Pathological cysts - these are cysts that grow in the ovaries; they may be harmless or cancerous (malignant).

The causes are different for each type. We will look at each type in turn.

Functional ovarian cysts

There are two types of functional ovarian cysts:
1) Follicular cysts
Follicular cysts are the most common type. A woman has two ovaries. The egg moves from an o***y into the womb, where it can be fertilized by s***m. The egg is formed in the follicle, which contains fluid to protect the growing egg. When the egg is released, the follicle bursts.

In some cases, the follicle either does not shed its fluid and shrink after releasing the egg, or it does not release an egg. The follicle swells with fluid, becoming a follicular ovarian cyst.
One cyst normally appears at any single time, and it normally goes away within a few weeks.
2) Luteal ovarian cysts
These are less common. After the egg has been released, it leaves tissue behind, known as the corpus luteum. Luteal cysts can develop when the corpus luteum fills with blood. This type of cyst normally goes away within a few months. However, it may sometimes split, or rupture, causing sudden pain and internal bleeding.

Pathological cysts

There are two types of pathological cysts:
1) Dermoid cysts (cystic teratomas)
A dermoid cyst is usually benign. They are formed from the cells that make eggs. These cysts need to be removed surgically. Dermoid cysts are the most common type of pathological cyst for women under 30 years of age.
2) Cystadenomas
Cystadenomas are ovarian cysts that develop from cells that cover the outer part of the o***y. Some are filled with a thick, mucus-like substance, while others contain a watery liquid.
Rather than growing inside the o***y, cystadenomas are usually attached to the o***y by a stalk. By existing outside the o***y, they can grow quite large. They are rarely cancerous, but they need to be removed surgically.
Cystadenomas are more common among women aged over 40 years.

Signs and symptoms

Most cysts are symptomless. If symptoms are present, they are not always useful for diagnosing an ovarian cyst, because other conditions, such as endometriosis, have similar symptoms.
Symptoms of an ovarian cyst may include:

Irregular and possibly painful menstruation: It may be heavier or lighter than before.

Pain in the pelvis: This may be a persistent pain or an intermittent dull ache that spreads to the lower back and thighs. It may appear just before menstruation begins or ends.

Dyspareunia: This is pelvic pain that occurs during s*xual in*******se. Some women might experience pain and discomfort in the abdomen after s*x.

Bowel issues: These include pain when passing a stool, pressure on the bowels or a frequent need to pass a stool.

Abdominal issues: There may be bloating, swelling, or heaviness in the abdomen.

Urinary issues: The woman may have problems emptying the bladder fully or she may or feeling the need to urinate frequently.

Hormonal abnormalities: Rarely, the body produces abnormal amounts of hormones, resulting in changes in the way the breasts and body hair grow.

Some symptoms may resemble those of pregnancy, for example, breast tenderness and nausea.

Complications

An ovarian cyst often causes no problems, but sometimes it can lead to complications.

Torsion: The stem of an o***y can become twisted if the cyst is growing on it. It can block the blood supply to the cyst and cause severe pain in the lower abdomen.

Burst cyst: If a cyst bursts, the patient will experience severe pain in the lower abdomen. If the cyst is infected, pain will be worse. There may also be bleeding. Symptoms may resemble those of appendicitis or diverticulitis.

Cancer: In rare cases, a cyst may be an early form of ovarian cancer.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on:

the person's age

whether they have undergone menopauseor not

the size and appearance of the cyst

whether there are any symptoms

Watchful waiting (observation)

Sometimes watchful waiting is recommended, especially if the cyst is a small, functional cyst (2 to 5 centimeters) and the woman has not yet undergone menopause
An ultrasound scan will check the cyst a month or so later, to see whether it has gone

Birth control pills

To reduce the risk of new cysts developing in future menstrual cycles, the doctor may recommend birth control pills. Oral contraceptives may also reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Surgery

Surgery may be used as a treatment for persistent cysts.

Surgery may be recommended if:

there are symptoms

the cyst is large or appears to be growing

the cyst does not look like a functional cyst

the cyst persists through 2 to 3 menstrual cycles.

Two types of surgery are:

Laparoscopy, or keyhole surgery: The surgeon uses very small tools, to remove the cyst through a small incision. In most cases, the patient can go home the same day. This type of surgery does not usually affect fertility, and recovery times are fast.

Laparotomy: This may be recommended if the cyst is cancerous. A longer cut is made across the top of the p***c hairline. The cyst is removed and sent to the lab for testing. The patient usually stays in the hospital for at least 2 days.

Cancer treatment

If the cyst may be cancerous, a biopsy can be taken for testing.
If the result shows that cancer is present, more organs and tissue may need to be removed, such as the ovaries and uterus.

Diagnosis

Ultrasound is a common method of diagnosis of ovarian cyst.

Most ovarian cysts present no signs or symptoms, so they often remain undiagnosed.
Sometimes a cyst that does not produce symptoms may be diagnosed during an unrelated pelvic examination or ultrasound scan.
Diagnosis aims to assess the shape, size, and composition of the cyst, whether it is filled with solid or liquid.
Diagnostic tests may include:

an ultrasound scan

a blood test

a pregnancy test

laparoscopy

Prevention

There is no way to prevent ovarian cyst growth.
However, regular pelvic examinations will allow for early treatment if need.

Christopher weefar.Harris, MD,