Ovarian Cysts

 

Ovarian cysts are more common after puberty, some are normal and resolve spontaneously with time, others are pathologic and persist over time. At Texas Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, board-certified OB/GYN and fellowship-trained Oluyemisi Adeyemi-Fowode, MD, provides complete care for adolescents with ovarian cysts. The medical team uses advanced diagnostic technologies to locate troublesome cysts and performs minimally invasive surgery to remove them. Call Texas Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology in Sugar Land, Texas, today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for your child if they have symptoms of ovarian cysts or book an appointment online today.

 

Ovarian Cysts Q & A

 

What are ovarian cysts?

 

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in the ovaries — the reproductive organs that produce eggs.

 

There are two types of adolescent ovarian cysts:

 

Functional cysts

 

Functional cysts are a normal part of the menstrual cycle. The two types of functional cysts girls can develop include follicular cysts that form when an egg is maturing on the ovary and corpus luteum cysts that form on the ovary after ovulation.

 

Non-functional cysts

 

Non-functional cysts are cysts that form in your ovaries for reasons outside of menstruation. Some examples of nonfunctional cysts include:

 

• Cystadenomas: cysts that form on the surface of the ovary and fill with watery fluids or thick mucus.
• Dermoid cysts: cysts that form from embryonic cells and can contain teeth, hair, or skin.
• Endometriomas: cysts that develop because of endometriosis, a condition where your uterine lining grows outside of your uterus.

 

While females of any age can develop ovarian cysts, the cysts are most common between puberty and menopause.

 

 

What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?

 

Many girls have ovarian cysts without knowing it. Smaller cysts may not cause any symptoms and often disappear on their own after a few menstrual cycles.

 

However, some cysts can grow large enough to cause discomfort or pain. Cystadenomas and dermoid cysts can even grow big enough to twist or move your ovary and cause nausea, vomiting, and severe pain.

 

Other complications from ovarian cysts can include rupture of the ovary that can lead to internal bleeding (hemorrhage). In severe cases, ovarian cysts can block blood flow to the ovary, which requires emergency surgery.

 

 

How are ovarian cysts treated?

 

If adolescent girls have any symptoms of ovarian cysts, the team at Texas Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology can confirm their diagnosis with ultrasound imaging.

 

Based on the results of diagnostic testing, the team customizes a treatment plan to relieve pain and protect the health of the ovary.

 

Typically, surgical removal of large and painful cysts is necessary, the skilled OB/GYN use minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgical techniques to remove cysts. They also send them for further evaluation at a medical lab to ensure the growths are benign (noncancerous).

 

If your daughter needs diagnostic testing for symptoms of ovarian cysts, call Texas Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology today or book an appointment online.