I'm 21. By the age of 20... I was faced with ... abnormal cells in my cervix, a possibility of having cervical cancer, inability to have kids, possible cyst issues in my ovaries, blood-sugar problems, and seeing a chiropractor for problems in my neck, back, knees, and now hips. Isn't that amazing? I've come to terms with it all... but I think it's definitely important to know about all of this stuff. It is very scary when it first happens.
My current worry... is the fact that I may have cysts on my ovaries... which may be the cause of a lot of pain lately...
the following information came from webmd.com
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.
What symptoms are caused by ovarian cysts?
Most cysts are never noticed and resolve without women ever realizing that they are there. When a cyst causes symptoms, pain in the belly or pelvis is by far the most common one. The pain can be caused from rupture of the cyst, rapid growth and stretching, bleeding into the cyst, or twisting of the cyst around its blood supply.
Pretty scary right? It's not that bad. Trust me. The pain sometimes is... and for about a week... every time I felt the pain it would literally stop me dead in my tracks and make me double over... but it goes away.
It's hard to determine what the pain is though... there are so many causes of pain in the abdomen and pelvic areas... it could be as simple as gas... which is a problem of mine since I also happen to be lactose-intolerant... yet I still eat cheese constantly(never bothered me like milk and ice cream) oh and not to mention I've been craving/eating chocolate ice cream for quite a few days... but not anymore... not since it's been making me really sick...anyhow... how do you know if you have cysts?
How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?
Most cysts are diagnosed by ultrasound, which is the best imaging technique for detecting ovarian cysts. Ultrasound is an imaging method that uses sound waves to produce an image of structures within the body. Ultrasound imaging is painless and causes no harm.
Cysts can also be detected with other imaging methods, such as CAT scan or MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging).
Here is what I find scary about this....How can the physician decide if an ovarian cyst is dangerous?
If a woman is in her 40's, or younger, and has regular menstrual periods, most ovarian masses are "functioning ovarian cysts," which are not really abnormal. They are related to the process of ovulation that happens with the menstrual cycle. They usually disappear on their own during a future menstrual cycle. Therefore, especially in women in their 20's and 30's, these cysts are watched for a few menstrual cycles to verify that they disappear. Because oral contraceptives work in part by preventing ovulation, physicians will not really expect women who are taking oral contraceptives to have common "functioning ovarian cysts." Thus, women who develop ovarian cysts while taking oral contraceptives may be advised against simple observation; rather, they may receive closer monitoring with pelvic ultrasound or, less commonly, surgical exploration of the ovary.
If you are on birth control you shouldn't have normal functioning cysts? I've been on birth control for a very long time... and I MIGHT be getting them now? Now, really I haven't been in for the ultra sound because last year I went through so much testing in a two week period to last me a life time.. so I'm sick of the testing (and not to mention the bill I'm still paying for it) ...
it mentions that ovarian cancer is rare in women under the age of 40... but does not mean it's IMPOSSIBLE. If you have symptoms get checked... and last but not least....
How are ovarian cysts treated?
Most ovarian cysts in women of childbearing age are follicular cysts (functional cysts) that disappear naturally in 1-3 months. Although they can rupture (usually without ill effects), they rarely cause symptoms. They are benign and have no real medical consequence. They may be diagnosed coincidentally during a pelvic examination in women who do not have any related symptoms. All women have follicular cysts at some point that generally go unnoticed.
A follicular cyst in a woman of childbearing age is usually observed for a few menstrual cycles because the cysts are common, and ovarian cancer is rare in this age group. Sometimes ovarian cysts in menstruating women contain some blood, called hemorrhagic cysts, which frequently resolve quickly.
Ultrasound is used to determine the treatment strategy for ovarian cysts because if can help to determine if the cyst is a simple cyst (just fluid with no solid tissue, seen in benign conditions) or compound cyst (with some solid tissue that requires closer monitoring and possibly surgical resection).
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