While functional ovarian cysts usually have natural cures and conventional medicine, malignant ovarian cysts need further medical attention, mostly ovarian cyst surgery. The most dangerous types of cysts are cancerous ovarian cysts, which lead to ovarian cancer. In cases where the doctor finds malignant ovarian cysts, he/she will recommend surgery.

Ovarian cyst surgery can be done to remove the cyst only, through a procedure called cystectomy. Through this procedure, the cyst is taken out and drained. However, if a woman is at high risk of getting ovarian cancer, the surgery will be done to remove the entire ovary. The ovary may also be removed in other cases where it has been severely damaged by the cyst. Unless both ovaries are affected, only one ovary is removed during surgery. This does not affect a woman’s fertility because the remaining ovary can sufficiently release an egg each month for fertilization.

Doctors use laparoscopic surgery during cystectomy. In this ovarian cyst surgery, a tiny incision is made on the tummy; below the belly button. A laparoscope (an instrument which looks like a telescope) is then passed through the incision into the ovary. The outer layer of the ovary is cut to make way for the removal of the cyst. After the cyst has been carefully drained, it is then removed using the laparoscope. It is difficult to remove the cyst while it contains fluid. There is the danger of possible rupture. This may lead to lead to infection in different areas.

This type of ovarian cyst surgery is not usually complicated and is usually successful. The patient recovers quickly though this will depend on her overall health status. Within one week, most patients will have recovered and gone back to their everyday duties. Sometimes all may not go well and complications may arise. In such instances, the intervention of a more technical surgical procedure such as laparotomy will be required.

In pre-menopausal women, it is mandatory for the doctor to test the ovary to be removed for cancer cells. Where it is found to contain cancer cells, the remaining ovary has to be tested as well. In most cases where cancer is detected, both ovaries may be removed. This can be traumatizing for the patient especially if they are of child-bearing age. The doctor will discuss all the options available for the woman, their effects and the necessary measures to be taken.

Laparotomy is the preferred surgical procedure used for ovarian cyst surgery. The incision made is usually bigger than in laparoscope. After its removal, the blood vessels that are attached to it are stitched up to suture them. When one goes through laparotomy, she will spend some time under the doctor’s watch to cancel out further complications. Recovery takes about six weeks.

Women who are past menopause have reported a decrease in sexual desire but only in a few cases. Most women only mention the fatigue that comes with surgery. While there are no major side effects associated with ovarian cyst surgery, it increases chances of early osteoporosis and circulatory disease.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid filled sac that is attached to or in one of your ovaries and there are many ovarian cyst symptoms that can occur. Cysts can occur all over the body, but ovarian cysts are strictly found on or in an ovary.

Wondering if you may be suffering from an ovarian cyst? Here are the ovarian cyst symptoms you should look for that may be a warning side you have a cyst. If several of these symptoms are present, you would want to see your doctor for an official diagnosis.

Pain
The main sign that usually sends women to the doctor is the pain. The pain does show up in many ways, some women have intense lower back pain. Other women report that they have sharp pains in their abdomen. Other pain shows up when women have their period, or when they are having sexual intercourse. Many women also have breast tenderness, which some describe as similar tenderness when you are menstruating.

Pressure/ Swelling
Women often report having a feeling of fullness or pressure in their abdomen, and some women also have visible swelling in that area. The pressure often feels like cramps or kind of like the feeling of being full and uncomfortable.

Weight Gain
Many women who suffer from ovarian cysts also report weight gain. This can be slight or quite significant, and is typically due to the hormonal variations you are undergoing while you have a cyst.

Bleeding
Almost all women who suffer regularly from ovarian cysts have random bleeding or spotting that occurs in between their typical periods. This is one of the number one signs that cause women to go to the doctor.

Nausea
A large percentage of women who have cysts also feel nauseated fairly consistently. Some women also vomit due to the nausea.

There are several other, much more rare symptoms of cysts that include a high fever, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, or increased breathing. Any of these symptoms should cause you to seek medical treatment immediately.

If you have any of the ovarian cyst symptoms above, it is important to talk this over with your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help or simply be able to confirm this diagnosis using an ultrasound to visually see the cysts. Ovarian cyst symptoms can severely disrupt your life, so working with someone in the medical community is imperative to managing your symptoms.

Ovarian cyst removal procedure is an option for women with ovarian cysts. Most cysts are asymptomatic and may not be a cause for alarm as they clear out on their own after one or two menstrual cycles. A doctor may recommend that the cyst be removed for various reasons. These reasons are; if the cyst is malignant i.e. cancerous, if the cyst is large, if the cyst has a large amount of solid matter, if the cyst is very painful and if the cyst is twisted. Older patients are more likely to have cysts that are cancerous.

Cysts may appear in the ovaries for reasons other than the normal menstrual cycles in women. For instance, a patient may have cysts in their ovaries before they begin to have their period or the patient may be post menopausal. If the cyst does not dissolve naturally on its own and the pain in the abdomen increases in severity over time, the doctor may also recommend an ovarian cyst removal procedure.

There are factors that determine whether you will need ovarian cyst removal. These are referred to as risk factors and they are factors that may pose a risk of complications when the procedure to remove the cyst is underway. These factors include; obesity, chronic illness or recent illness, excessive intake of alcohol and smoking,  use of drugs and other narcotics that are mind-altering, use of prescribed medications which include insulin medication, muscle relaxants and sedatives, pregnancy, endometriosis and prior abdominal surgery.

Ovarian cyst removal is not an easy to decision to arrive to. Have an extensive discussion with your doctor about the procedure, its success rate and what it is that you can expect before, during and after the procedure is done. If it is completely necessary that you undergo the procedure then you should expect that the doctor will; conduct a physical exam, review all medications that you are currently taking, conduct blood and urine tests, conduct a CT scan, ultrasound, an X-ray of your chests, lower intestinal tract and the lower abdomen, and an electrocardiogram that will measure the levels of your heart activity.

There are two ovarian cyst removal procedures that are commonly used;
Laparoscopic Surgery involves making a small incision just below the navel and inserting a laparoscope through there. Carbon dioxide gas is then pumped into the abdomen that makes it possible for the surgeon to see all organs clearly. The laparoscope locates the cyst, one or two additional incisions are made and surgical tools are used to remove the cyst.

Open surgery is where an incision is made in the abdomen, abdominal muscles separated and the abdomen is opened up completely.  Blood vessels that supply blood to the ovaries are then clamped and tied. If cancer is found to be present, one or both of the ovaries may be removed to prevent it from spreading.

A few days prior to the ovarian cyst removal procedure you should avoid any aspirin or blood thinning medications and arrange a ride to and from the hospital.

If you’ve been recently diagnosed with an ovarian cyst, you are probably familiar with some of the pain associated with having cysts. But there are many different ways ovarian cyst pain shows up that many women often discount as unrelated. Here we will address the several different ways ovarian cyst pain can show up in a woman, and explain how the pain also may vary in strength and how often it shows up.

The first type of pain associated with ovarian cysts is dull or aching pain in the mid to lower back. Back pain from ovarian cysts is often misdiagnosed, but most women who have frequent cysts report that dull or aching back pain is one of their main issues.

Many women also feel ovarian cyst pain in their abdomen. It can show up as a dull pain, and it can also simply feel like a “fullness” or feeling like your stomach is packed and uncomfortable. This pain can also be more shooting or stabbing pain. Most women who have cysts report one or more types of abdominal pain, which makes sense as this is the location of the cysts themselves.

Women have also reported having much more extreme pain while they are menstruating. Because your ovaries are involved with the process of menstruation, and most women feel some variation of cramping with their periods anyway, this time is often the most uncomfortable for women.

Sex can also cause extreme pain and discomfort to women suffering from ovarian cysts. Cysts can certainly impede and woman’s sex life and sex drive and is a major complaint from women.

Often women also have breast tenderness or sensitivity, especially when they have an ovarian cyst. Many women feel breast sensitivity during their periods anyway, but it is extremely heightened if you are suffering from a cyst. Many women are uncomfortable simply walking as the soreness is almost unbearable.

These examples show how ovarian cyst pain can disrupt your life in many ways. The pain though can be managed through many natural remedies and by working with a medical professional to figure out the best way to manage your pain. Ovarian cyst pain should not ruin your life, and can be helped with different kinds of treatments.