Ovarian Cysts

Medical Revising Author: Carolyn Crandall, MD, FACP
Medical Revising Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What are ovarian cysts?
• What causes ovarian cysts?
• What symptoms are caused by ovarian cysts?
• How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?
• How can the physician decide if an ovarian cyst is dangerous?
• How are ovarian cysts treated?
• Ovarian Cysts At A Glance
• Related ovarian cysts articles:
  Ovarian cysts - on WebMD

What are ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled, sac-like structures within an ovary. The term cyst refers to a fluid-filled structure. Therefore, all ovarian cysts contain at least some fluid.

What causes ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts form for numerous reasons. The most common type is a follicular cyst, which results from the growth of a follicle. A follicle is the normal fluid-filled sac that contains an egg. Follicular cysts form when the follicle grows larger than normal during the menstrual cycle and does not open to release the egg. Usually, follicular cysts resolve on their own over the course of days to months. Cysts can contain blood (hemorrhagic or endometrioid cysts) from injury or leakage of tiny blood vessels into the egg sac. Occasionally, the tissues of the ovary develop abnormally to form other body tissues such as hair or teeth. Cysts with these abnormal tissues are called dermoid cysts.

Next: What symptoms are caused by ovarian cysts? »

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Last Editorial Review: 3/29/2005