What Are Complex Ovarian Cysts?
The chances that a woman will end up having a ovarian cyst during their lifetime is actually quite common and is generally no cause for concern. Complex ovarian cysts are a different story as they occur less often and can sometimes cause serious health problems. They are called complex ovarian cysts due to their makeup, usually containing both solid and liquid portions, having more substance then simple ovarian cysts and come in three different types: endometrioma, cystadenomas and dermoid.
A dermoid cyst develops from cells that produce human eggs, known as the ova. Since these are non-differentiated cells that can develop into any human tissue, dermoid cysts can contain a variety of tissue including hair, skin and teeth. Although dermoid cysts can be very painful as they grow larger and twist the ovaries, they are rarely cancerous.
A type of complex ovarian cyst which occurs when a woman has endometriosis is called an “endometrioma”. Women with endometriomas suffer from uterine cells that grow outside the uterus and become attached to their ovaries, creating a growth after several periods. An endometrial cyst could become very large, reaching the size of a tennis ball or even bigger. This disease may be partially blamed on genetics. The symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, pain before or after one’s period or during intercourse, painful urination or bowel movements, general tiredness and erratic menstrual cycles.
Developing from ovarian tissue, cystadenomas are complex ovarian cysts that can be filled mainly with liquid and have a tendency to twist in the ovary producing sever pain. There are two different types of cystadenomas, serous and mucinous. Serous are filled with a thin fluid and are know to grow between 2 and 6 inches in diameter. Mucinous on the other hand have a core of thick, gelatin like liquid and grow from 6 to 12 inches in diameter.
While complex ovarian cysts frequently cause pain and other obvious signs as they develop in size, such symptoms can be similar to those of endometriosis or an ectopic pregnancy. Women who suffer from complex ovarian cysts frequently feel discomfort in the pelvis around their periods and during sexual activity. In addition, they may have menstrual problems including abnormal bleeding or cessation of menstruation. Complex ovarian cysts may also cause symptoms similar to those experienced during pregnancy, including breast tenderness, vomiting and nausea.
A pelvic examination is needed to diagnose ovarian cysts. Pelvic ultrasounds can help to confirm these diagnoses. Doctors will often order pregnancy tests to rule out pregnancy, and will even order blood tests. Women who are diagnosed with complex ovarian cysts should be certain to get in touch with their physicians immediately any time they suffer intense pelvic or abdominal pain.
A complex ovarian cyst must be examined properly to find out if it is cancerous or not. While complex ovarian cysts are not always cancerous, proper steps and testing should be done by a doctor to make sure while taking into account things such as patients symptoms, age and history when coming to a proper diagnosis.
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