Women should not be alarmed by the relatively common problem of functional ovarian cysts. These cysts do not predict or develop into cancer. Most of them will not cause any noticeable symptoms or require treatment, although some will cause enough pain to warrant treatment of some kind.

A follicular cyst can form when a mature follicle falls in on itself or when ovulation fails to take place. Follicular cysts are a simple class of ovarian cyst that usually produces no symptoms. Follicular cysts can grow to approximately 2.3 inches across, but usually disappear by themselves within a few months after their appearance.

A corpus luteum cyst can result when the ovarian gland produces progesterone during ovulation and a egg is released as the menstrual cycle progresses. A round gland called the corpus luteum is filled with fluid and about a inch in diameter when healthy and functioning properly. Generally they appear in the early months or pregnancy or even just at the end of the menstrual cycle and are asymptomatic, healing on their own without symptoms and may never even be noticed.

A hemorrhagic cyst is a type of functional ovarian cyst that contains or releases blood. Though these cysts don’t always burst, when they do burst they leak blood and cause a burning sensation across the pelvic area. However, hemorrhagic cysts are fairly common and do not normally require treatment. Doctors may surgically remove hemorrhagic cysts when they think it indicates the presence of endometriosis.

Women can develop dermoid cysts at any time and age, but dermoid cysts are a higher risk during the childbearing years. A dermoid cyst is one type of an ovarian cyst that grows from the totipotential germ cell in the ovaries. Tissues such as bone, teeth and hair can form from this ovarian cell. Dermoid cysts may contain solid physical tissue. Sometimes doctors find hair and teeth forming in these cysts. They are commonly removed because they may block the flow of blood to the ovaries.

Endometriosis and tumors are covered under pathological ovarian cysts. While rare, this type of ovarian cyst can only be properly diagnosed after a thorough exam by a doctor. Pathological ovarian cysts can be found in both their benign, non-cancerous form and malignant, cancerous forms. Quick treatment is the best solution once a tumor has been found being that they can be rather persistent, swollen and have a thick exterior’s. The other end of the spectrum is the endometrioid cyst caused by endometriosis. Endometriosis is when a small piece of endometrial tissue bleeds, falls off and moves to the inside of the ovaries where it reattaches itself. The prime reproductive years in a womans life is when this generally happens, but pathological cysts are still much less common then functional cysts.

Ovarian cysts may differ in type; each type must be diagnosed properly and treated accordingly. Functional cysts are more common than pathological cysts. All women should safeguard their health by learning about ovarian cysts and discussing the possibility of cysts with their physicians.

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