What is an Ovarian Cyst ?

Ovarian Cyst

An ovarian cyst is an accumulation of fluid within an ovary that is surrounded by a very thin wall. Any ovarian follicle that is larger than approximately two centimeters is an ovarian cyst. Ovarian cysts can range widely in size; from being as small as a pea to larger than an orange - in rare cases ovarian cysts can become so large that the woman looks pregnant.

The majority of ovarian cysts are benign (harmless). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, most premenopausal women and up to 14.8% of postmenopausal women are found to have ovarian cysts.

Ovarian cysts typically occur most frequently during a female's reproductive years (childbearing years). However, ovarian cysts may affect a woman of any age. In some cases, ovarian cysts cause pain and bleeding. If the cyst is over 5 centimeters in diameter it may need to be surgically removed.

There are two main types of ovarian cysts:

Functional ovarian cysts - the most common type. These harmless cysts form part of the female's normal menstrual cycle and are short-lived.

Pathological cysts - these are cysts than grow in the ovaries; they may be harmless (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

External Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovarian_cyst