An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac usually found on the surface of an ovary. There are many types of ovarian cysts with equally as many reasons for the cause of the cyst. If you are a woman, then there is a good chance that you will have a cyst at some point in your life. Most are completely without symptoms. However, some types can cause serious health problems.

Ovarian cysts are caused by a collection of fluid forming around a developing egg. When you ovulate your body will form a small amount of fluid around the developing egg each month. This called a follicle and it's about the size of a pea. For unknown reasons, the cells that surround the egg sometimes form too much fluid causing the straw colored fluid to expand inside the ovary, and this fluid becomes larger than a normal follicle, then a cyst is formed. There are a number of other types of cysts that form as an abnormal growth of other cells in the ovary.

Cysts can cause:

Persistent acne

Excessive body hair

Thinning scalp hair

Infertility

Obesity

Increased risk of diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease

Uterine or breast cancer

You can have a cyst without showing any symptoms or you may have mild abdominal symptoms that could be indicative of numerous other health problems that are totally unrelated to ovarian cysts.

General symptoms related to ovarian cysts include:

Menstrual irregularities

Pelvic pain

Pelvic pain during intercourse

A fullness or heaviness in your abdomen

Feeling of pressure on your bladder or rectum

Nausea

Continuous, creamy or clear egg white like vaginal discharge that persists unchanged for a month or more

Any of these symptoms are enough reason for you to schedule an appointment with your doctor to see if you have a cyst. You should get to an emergency room or hospital as quickly as possible if you have sudden, severe or spasmodic pain in your lower abdomen, especially if have a fever, vomiting or any signs of shock.

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