A cyst is a fluid filled sac. Cysts develop in various places in the body. Depending on the type of cyst the fluid within the cyst can range from thin and watery to thick and paste-like. Some cysts have a thicker solid outer part with some fluid within.

If you do have a cyst, your doctor will probably want you to have a sonogram so he or she can look at the cyst. What your doctor decides to do after that depends on your age, the way the cyst looks on the sonogram and if you're having symptoms such as pain, bloating, feeling full after eating just a little, and constipation.

Causes Of Cysts

Follicular cyst. Around the midpoint of your menstrual cycle, your brain's pituitary gland releases a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which signals the follicle holding your egg to release it. When everything goes according to plan, your egg bursts out of its follicle and begins its journey down the fallopian tube in search of fertilization.

Cysts most often arise from swollen hair follicles. Skin trauma can also induce a cyst to form. A sac of cells is created into which a protein called keratin is secreted

Cysts may occur as a result of a developmental error in the embryo before birth, or they may be caused by an infection, or, in some cases, they arise spontaneously and no cause is found.

Symptoms Of Cysts

Lower abdominal or pelvic pain, which may start and stop and may be severe, sudden, and sharp

Pelvic pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

Pain during bowel movements or pressure on your bowels

Nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness similar to that experienced during pregnancy

Long-term pelvic pain during menstrual period that may also be felt in the lower back

Pelvic pain after strenuous exercise or sexual intercourse

increased temperature of the skin over the bumps or lumps

Grayish white, cheesy, foul smelling material draining from the bump or lump

Diagnosis Of Cysts

A cyst or abscess is diagnosed by a gynecological pelvic exam. If the cyst appears to be infected, a culture is often performed to identify the type of bacteria causing the abscess.

Treatment Of Cysts

The treatment for a cyst depends upon the cause of the cyst along with its location. Cysts that are very large and result in symptoms due to their size may be surgically removed. Sometimes the fluid contained within a cyst can be drained, or aspirated, by inserting a needle or catheter into the cyst cavity, resulting in collapse of the cyst. Radiologic imaging may be used for guidance in draining (aspirating) cyst contents if the cyst is not easily accessible.

Birth control pills. Your doctor may recommend birth control pills to reduce the chance of new cysts developing in future menstrual cycles. Oral contraceptives offer the added benefit of significantly reducing your risk of ovarian cancer - the risk decreases the longer you take birth control pills.

Medical Treatment-Ultrasonic observation or endovaginal ultrasound are used repeatedly and frequently to monitor the growth of the cyst.