An ovarian cyst, also known as a cystadenoma, is usually a fluid-filled sac that develops on the surface of one of the ovaries. Most are normally related to hormonal changes – this means that they settle on their own without any action after some weeks. However, ovarian cysts sometimes do not cause any symptoms at all. They may develop suddenly, but in most of the cases, it disappears after a few months without giving any cause for concern.
However, there are also rare types of ovarian cyst that can be malignant or cancerous. These usually occur when a follicle wall ruptures inside the ovary. It is possible for cysts to develop even in women who have never had menstruation. These occur mostly during the peri-menopause period and are common to older women who are already past their childbearing age. But ovarian cysts, which are caused by the other factors such as menopause, bleeding and infection can be a sign of an impending health problem that needs to be diagnosed by a doctor.
A cyst usually does not cause any harm to the reproductive organs of a woman. The only risk that is associated with them is the possibility of rupturing. This is mainly due to the slow movement of the sac and because it is made up of liquid – anything that is placed inside it can easily burst. When this happens, the contents of the sac will travel into the abdominal cavity and may end up in the lungs, causing respiratory blockage. This is why it is important for a woman not to try to squeeze a cyst because it may cause injury to the organs present inside the abdominal cavity.