Ovarian cysts are extremely common, and will often go undetected when they cause no symptoms and disappear on their own. Unfortunately for some women however, many types of ovarian cysts do cause problems; different varieties of cysts have their own characteristics, and some types are more painful than others.

If you are suffering from pelvic pain or other possible symptoms of cysts on the ovaries, you should visit your doctor in the first instance, who will be able to use ultrasound or a CT scan to determine the type of ovarian cysts that are present. S/he may also present various treatment options, which will generally involve some for of drugs or surgery. While one of these may be the best course of action in many cases, not all types of cyst require medical intervention, and many women will prefer to pursue more natural ovarian cyst remedies. The type of treatment you opt for will depend partly on the type of ovarian cysts you’re suffering from.

Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs which develop on or inside the ovaries. Different types of cysts may develop, and fall into two broad categories – functional and abnormal cysts, as follows:

The Main Types of Ovarian Cyst
Ovarian Cyst Sizes
Ruptured Ovarian Cysts
Recurring Ovarian Cysts

The Main Types of Ovarian Cyst

1. Functional Ovarian Cysts

Functional cysts, also known as simple ovarian cysts, are the most common type. Unlike some of the other cyst types, they aren’t pathological (not related to any disease); instead they’re part of the normal menstrual cycle. During the cycle, an egg grows within a tiny sac called a follicle, and is released during ovulation. The follicle then dissolves, forming a body called the corpus luteum, which produces the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. If the egg isn’t released properly, or the follicle doesn’t dissolve as it should, a functional ovarian cyst can form. These fall into three categories:

a) Follicular Cysts

Also known as Graafian follicle cysts, these cysts are formed when the sac containing the egg fails to break open to release it. Instead, the follicle continues to grow, forming a cyst. They can also occur when a mature follicle collapses in on itself, a process known as involution. Follicular ovarian cysts can grow up to a diameter of 6cm, and they can cause sharp pain if the cyst ruptures, although follicle cysts don’t normally produce symptoms (about a quarter of women will experience pain from follicular cysts). They’re generally diagnosed via ultrasound, or a pelvic exam if the cysts are large. Simple cysts of this type usually go away by themselves within about three months, although your doctor may monitor them to see if further treatment will be needed.

b) Corpus Luteum Cysts

Corpus Luteum ovarian cysts are formed when the follicle fails to dissolve after releasing the egg – instead it forms a seal, and fluid accumulates inside. Fairly large ovarian cysts can result, growing up to 10cm across. Corpus luteum cysts will normally disappear by themselves after a few weeks, and don’t generally produce symptoms, but they can sometimes cause pain by twisting the ovary (and are then often referred to as a twisted ovarian cyst). Women who take fertility drugs to induce ovulation (such as Clomid) are more likely to develop these cysts, as are those taking progesterone-only birth control pills (the combined pill, in contrast, makes them less likely to occur).

c) Hemmorhagic Cysts

A hemmorhagic ovarian cyst is sometimes called a hematocyst or blood cyst, and is the result of a blood vessel in the wall of an existing cyst rupturing, and blood flowing into the sac. Abdominal pain may be felt if the blood is sufficient to stretch the ovary surface, and may be more intense if the cyst ruptures (although ruptured hemmorhagic ovarian cysts are fairly rare). These cysts will generally clear up without treatment, although some require surgery.

2. Abnormal Ovarian Cysts

The functional cysts just described are rarely pathological (although they can cause problems in some cases), and doctors will often recommend that you adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach to see if they clear up on their own. Natural remedies can speed up the process in many instances. There are also other, less common, types of ovarian cysts. These are generally benign, but may be associated with other issues, such as infertility. Abnormal ovarian cysts include:

a) Endometrioid Cysts

Also known as chocolate cysts or endometriomas, these cysts sometimes occur in women with endometriosis, a disorder in which uterine tissue grows outside the womb. If the tissue attaches itself to the ovary, this forms a cyst which grows inside the ovary. This is often very painful, especially during menstruation and sex, and can reach sizes of up to 20cm across. A chocolate ovarian cyst derives its name from the blood which builds up inside the cyst over time, which gradually turns brown. Treatment for these cysts normally takes the form of contraceptive pills or other hormonal drugs, or surgical removal.

b) Dermoid Cysts

An ovarian dermoid cyst is a benign tumour (known as a dermoid teratoma), and contains a variety of different cell types. These may grow into structures that are usually found elsewhere on the body, such as teeth, hair and bones, which then become integrated into the cyst. In very rare cases, dermoid cysts on the ovary have been found to contain a fetus-like homunculus, complete with functioning organs! Dermoid ovarian cysts can become very large and painful (especially if the cyst is inflamed or twists around, a process known as ovarian torsion), but are rarely malignant. They are generally found in younger women, and surgical removal is a frequent treatment.

c) Cystadenomas

An ovarian cystadenoma is a form of benign tumor formed from cells on the ovary’s exterior surface. They can be filled with a watery fluid or viscous gel, and can grow to large sizes (up to about 30cm or more in diameter) and cause a lot of pain.

d) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian cysts are an example of pathological cysts. They occur when the mature egg is not released from the ovary, and instead the follicle continues to grow into a cyst. The pattern then repeats until many cysts have formed. Polycystic ovaries are often twice the size of a normal ovary, and this enlargement is often the basis for diagnosis, although an ultrasound is needed to confirm this. In addition, other tests are required to confirm a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome, and it’s important to note that a polycystic-appearing ovary is not the same thing as polycystic ovarian syndrome; the syndrome is an endocrine (hormonal) disorder that is associated with various issues in addition to multiple cysts on the surface of the ovary, including increased risk of high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as infertility, complications during pregnancy and other problems. About 5% of women worldwide are affected by this syndrome, and it is strongly associated with insulin resistance and being overweight. Treatments often address the individual symptoms, but since diet and weight play a significant role in its development in many cases, polycystic ovarian syndrome is often improved by natural treatments focusing on dietary changes.

e) Malignant Cysts

It is rare to be diagnosed with a malignant ovarian cyst – the incidence is about 15 cases in every 100,000 women annually. Older women are more at risk from ovarian cancer, and ovarian cysts in post-menopausal women are more likely to be malignant than those in their younger counterparts. Unfortunately, ovarian cyst cancer symptoms are often not obvious until the disease has progressed to its later stages, as early symptoms are often non-specific. After diagnosis, ovarian cancer treatment usually takes the form of surgery alone, although chemotherapy may be used too in severe cases.

As you can see, there are a variety of different types of ovarian cysts, some potentially more problematic than others. There are also some other variations worth noting, which may apply to cysts in any of the above categories:

Ovarian Cyst Sizes

Cysts on the ovaries range in size from a couple of centimetres to the size of a tennis ball, and in rare cases they can be even bigger. Large ovarian cysts are often associated with pain, and pathological cysts are usually larger than others.

Ruptured Ovarian Cysts

Some women suffer from ovarian cyst ruptures. If a cyst becomes overly engorged with pus, blood or other fluid, it may burst. Burst ovarian cysts typically cause a sharp stabbing pain, which may take some time to disappear completely. While some cases of a burst ovarian cyst will require medical intervention, they will often heal by themselves.

Recurring Ovarian Cysts

Recurring cysts come back repeatedly, to the dismay of many women who have undergone apparently successful surgical or hormonal treatment for ovarian cyst removal. Women who are prone to recurring cysts may find it especially beneficial to look into natural treatment for ovarian cysts, as these more holistic approaches usually address the reasons why the cysts may be forming in the first place, rather than just treating the symptoms.

The different types of ovarian cysts produce a variety of symptoms, although many women with cystic ovaries experience no symptoms at all (especially in the case of simple cysts). Read on for more information about ovarian cyst symptoms.