Ovaries are seen as a pair, one on either side of the uterus in the pelvic region. Ellipsoidal in shape they have a role to produce the eggs cyclically, right from puberty to menopause. Additionally, the ovaries also produce female hormones namely the estrogen and progesterone that aid in the formation of breasts and body hair.

Types of Cysts

It is but natural to have lot of cysts on ovaries, especially during menstrual cycle and they are called functional cysts as they hold eggs, and when egg is ready for fertilization it comes out of a sac which later forms into cyst. Follicular cyst is an example but it doesn't release the egg and as the cycle repeats does not releasing the egg, multiple cysts develop called polycystic ovaries, the causative factor in many women who fail to conceive even after several years of marriage.

However, if after releasing the egg the cyst does not dissolve, fluid tends to build up inside and it is then referred a corpus luteum cyst, but it resolves soon without any treatment. Sometimes this cyst causes pain and grows up to 3 to 4 inches with occasional bleeding.

There are other types of cysts called endometriomas that look like outgrowths of uterus, mostly painful during menstrual cycle and sexual intercourse. Another type is called cyst-adenomas formed from cells of outer lining of ovaries which are painful and become large with fluid. Both the endometriomas and cyst-adenomas can sometimes become malignant resulting in ovarian cancers.

Dermoid cysts is another type whose formation is like cyst adenomas but for they are hard and large and often more painful.

Most of the cysts are detected by chance during routine pelvic exams; therefore it is very important that every woman regularly undergo routine pelvic examination, for early detection and cure of malignancies.