Can Cyst in Back of Neck Cause Headaches

Definition
- What are ovarian cysts?
Symptoms
- Signs and symptoms of ovarian cysts
Types
- Types of ovarian cysts
Causes
- Causes of ovarian cysts
When to See the Doctor
- When to see the doctor for ovarian cysts
Diagnosis
- Diagnosing ovarian cysts
Treatment
- Treatments for ovarian cysts
Center
- What Is The Main Cause of Ovarian Cysts? Center

What are ovarian cysts?

The main causes of ovarian cysts may include hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, endometriosis, and pelvic infections.

Ovarian cysts are sacs of fluid that form on either the ovary or its surface. Women possess two ovaries which sit on either side of the uterus. The ovaries release eggs every month as a part of a woman's menstrual cycle.

About 7% of women have an ovarian cyst at some point in their life. For most women, ovarian cysts are harmless and painless. In fact, ovarian cysts often resolve on their own without treatment.

However, in some cases, an ovarian cyst can cause pain or develop into more serious complications. Ovarian cysts may be cause for concern when they are accompanied by sudden pain or other symptoms.

Rarely, an ovarian cyst may develop into a more serious condition. If the cyst grows too large, the ovary can twist. This results in a dangerous condition known as ovarian torsion. Some cysts also run the risk of rupturing, which can cause internal bleeding. Both conditions can arise without warning and require medical intervention.

It is important to understand the causes and symptoms of cysts. Keeping up with your regular pelvic exams can help you stay healthy. Ovarian cysts are primarily caused by hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, or the natural occurrence of a corpus luteum cyst.

Signs and symptoms of ovarian cysts

Though some ovarian cysts occur without pain and cause no harm, some women with cysts experience significant symptoms. The signs and symptoms of ovarian cysts can include:

Pelvic pain

When an ovarian cyst develops, some women experience moderate to severe pain. The pain may occur as a dull, constant ache to a sharp or sudden pain.

For many women, pelvic pain is a common symptom of ovarian cysts. This pain often occurs during or after sex.

Beyond pelvic pain during intercourse, some women experience aches or low back pain, cramping in the legs, or breast tenderness.

Bloating

Bloating, which often occurs with a feeling of abdominal heaviness or fullness, is a common symptom of an ovarian cyst. Bloating can fluctuate in intensity throughout your cycle.

Weight gain

Ovarian cysts can sometimes be accompanied by drastic or unusual weight gain. This can occur when the ovarian cyst is the result of a hormonal imbalance.

Painful and heavy menstruation

A common symptom of ovarian cysts are painful menstrual periods. Many women also experience heavy bleeding, very painful cramping, and severe bloating.

Bathroom complications

Some cysts occur with symptoms of trouble urinating, trouble defecating, difficult bowel movements, and urinary urgency.

Abnormal bleeding

If you are experiencing bleeding outside of your menstrual period, spotting, or unusually heavy bleeding during your menstrual period, you may have developed an ovarian cyst.

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Types of ovarian cysts

Depending on the cause of an ovarian cyst, there are several different types of ovarian cysts:

Follicular cyst

Follicular cysts are functional cysts that form if the ovarian follicle does not rupture or release the egg. Instead, it continues to grow as a cyst.

Corpus luteum cyst

A corpus luteum cyst is another form of functional cyst, which occurs when the follicle bursts but continues to grow as a cyst. Most corpus luteum cysts are harmless, painless, and resolve on their own.

Dermoid cysts

Dermoid cysts form from embryonic cells and often contain hair, skin, or teeth tissues.

Cystadenomas

These cysts are filled with a fluid or mucus-like material and occur on the surface of the ovary.

Endometriomas

Endometriomas are the result of endometriosis, in which uterine cells grow outside of the uterus.

Causes of ovarian cysts

There are several potential causes of ovarian cysts. Underlying causes may include:

Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance can lead to a higher chance of developing an ovarian cyst. Hormonal imbalance can be triggered by ongoing fertility treatments or other underlying issues.

Pregnancy

Once the egg is released from the follicle, corpus luteum cysts can sometimes continue growing into a woman's pregnancy. Many times, the cyst may resolve on its own during pregnancy or after.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a fairly common condition that causes the endometrial cells from the uterus to grow beyond the uterine walls. Endometrial tissues can attach to your ovaries and form a cyst.

Pelvic infections

Pelvic infections can lead to the formation of cysts if the infection reaches the ovaries.

Previous cysts

If you have previously experienced an ovarian cyst, you are likely to develop another.

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When to see the doctor for ovarian cysts

If you experience any painful symptoms associated with an ovarian cyst, you should seek medical treatment. You should seek immediate treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Sudden or sharp pain
Vomiting
Dizziness
Loss of consciousness
Fever

These symptoms may indicate a ruptured cyst or ovarian torsion, which can be dangerous if left untreated.

Diagnosing ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts can often be diagnosed during a routine pelvic exam. Depending on the type of the cyst, your doctor will recommend additional tests in order to determine a treatment plan. Potential tests may be:

Pregnancy test
Pelvic ultrasound
Laparoscopic surgery

Treatments for ovarian cysts

Once you have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst, your doctor may recommend:

Follow-up appointments to monitor the growth of the cyst
Hormonal birth control to slow the growth of your cyst
Surgery to remove the cyst

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References

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology: "Current diagnosis and management of ovarian cysts."

InformedHealth.org: "Ovarian cysts: Overview."

Korean Journal of Radiology: "Ruptured Corpus Luteal Cyst: CT Findings."

MayoClinic: "Ovarian cysts."

MedicineNet: "Ovarian Cysts: Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Treatment."

StatPearls: "Ovarian Cyst."

Can Cyst in Back of Neck Cause Headaches

Source: https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_the_main_cause_of_ovarian_cysts/article.htm