Ovarian Cyst Treatment in Dubai
What are ovarian cysts?
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled pouches or sacs that develop on ovaries(egg-producing reproductive organs in women) and might interfere with reproduction or cause symptoms.
Typically, most ovarian cysts are harmless; however, some may cause pain, interfere with reproduction or produce symptoms and may require medical treatment.
These cysts can vary in size and may be benign or cancerous. At Healia Medical Centre, our experts make a thorough diagnosis to find out all details of the cyst, including whether it is cancerous or has the potential to turn cancerous.
What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?
Small cysts may not cause any symptoms and can remain unnoticed. However, larger cysts can cause the following:
- A feeling of fullness or bloating in the lower belly that may be more pronounced on one side of the body
- Pelvic pain or a dull ache in the back
- Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Painful menstrual periods
What leads to the formation of ovarian cysts?
The primary cause of ovarian cysts is ovulation. Other factors that can contribute to the formation of ovarian cysts include:
Abnormal cell growth: Atypical cell growth can lead to the development of cysts such as dermoid and cystadenomas.
Endometriosis: Cysts may appear on the ovaries during the advanced stages of endometriosis.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Serious pelvic infections can spread to the ovaries and result in cysts.
Note: The above conditions may cause ovarian cysts; however, it is not necessary a person suffering above conditions will have ovarian cysts.
A thorough diagnosis also determines types of ovarian cysts that play a crucial role in cyst treatment.
Types of ovarian cysts
- Follicular cysts – A fluid-filled sac grows when the follicle fails to release an egg during the ovulation cycle.
- Corpus luteum cysts – Fluid accumulates in the corpus luteum after it releases an egg, causing it to form a cyst.
- Dermoid cysts – Cysts that contain tissue from various parts of the body, such as skin, hair, teeth, and brain tissue.
- Endometriomas – Cysts filled with endometrial tissue, the same tissue shed during menstruation.
- Ovarian cancer cysts – Solid masses of cancer cells that form cysts (tumors) on the ovary.
- Functional cysts – Non-menstrual cysts that don’t always indicate disease but may require monitoring.
- Cystadenomas – Cysts that form on the surface of the ovary and contain either watery or mucous-like fluid.
Are ovarian cysts serious?
In general, ovarian cysts are not a cause for serious concern. The majority of ovarian cysts are benign. However, certain types of cysts have a higher risk of becoming cancerous or leading to complications. This is an uncommon occurrence. Less than 1% of ovarian cysts are malignant. Your healthcare provider can closely monitor any cysts that appear concerning in order to minimize your risk of complications.
Ovarian cysts: How are they diagnosed?
Typically, a pelvic ultrasound or imaging test is done to diagnose ovarian cyst, their size, and features.
If there are multiple cysts or the size is big, or the patient has a family history of ovarian cancer, the following tests are needed further
- Cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) test may be ordered if the cyst appears solid and you’re at high risk of ovarian cancer or conditions like endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.
- laparoscopy to visualize the ovaries
- Tumor marker tests to detect ovarian cancer.
- Pregnancy test- to detect a corpus luteum cyst
Ovarian cyst treatment in Dubai
If you have an ovarian cyst, our expert at Healia Medical Center might recommend you a treatment depending on the size, type, and symptoms associated with the cyst.
The treatment options may vary from watchful waiting to surgery.
In some cases, the cyst subsides on its own, and no treatment is needed. However, if the cyst is large, causing discomfort, or has the potential to become cancerous, surgery may be recommended. At Healia Medical Center, our experts do laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive surgery that ensures better results with less recovery downtime.
If pregnancy is not a priority, then birth control pills may also be prescribed to prevent new cysts from forming or existing ones from growing.
In some cases, non-treatment of ovarian cysts may cause bloating and weight gain, particularly if they secrete hormones. Complications associated with ovarian cysts include cancerous cysts (more common in post-menopausal women), ruptured cysts that may cause severe pain and swelling, and ovarian torsion, which can result in a twisted ovary and potential organ damage.
It’s important to discuss your options with experts and weigh the benefits and risks of each treatment approach for seeking ovarian cyst treatment in Dubai.