Causes Of Ovarian Cysts

Causes of ovarian cysts are many. During a normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries develop follicles each month. Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones which support pregnancy, are produced by these follicles. If a normal follicle continues growing for an extended period of time ovarian cysts can result.

Among ovarian cysts, follicular cysts are the most prevalent. They hardly ever produce any symptoms and usually resolve by themselves. They are usually harmless. Follicular ovarian cysts are usually caused when the pituitary gland hormones that stimulate egg release by the ovaries cause the follicle to swell instead. The enlarged follicle develops into a cyst.

Frequent causes of ovarian cysts occur when luteinizing hormones surge and an egg is release. When the egg is released, estrogen and progesterone are created by the ruptured follicle to prepare for the hypothetical conception. When the egg is sealed off, fluid accumulates inside the follicle and becomes what is called a corpus luteum. The corpus luteum will then expand and at that point becomes a cyst.

Corpus luteum cysts usually disappear on their own without treatment within a few weeks. In the meantime, however, it can grow to nearly 4 inches in diameter. It can also bleed into itself or twist the ovary. This can cause severe pelvic and abdominal pain. Moreover, if the corpus luteum cyst fills with blood, the cyst may rupture. This can cause internal bleeding and sudden, sharp pain.

The drug clomiphene citrate is a fertility drug that works to induce ovulation, and might in itself, be among the causes of ovarian cysts. Clomiphene citrate is in fact known to increase the risk of developing a corpus luteum cyst (which does not prevent or threaten pregnancy), and therefore probably causes other cysts as well.

Hemorrhagic or endometrioid cysts are cysts that contain blood and develop like the other ovarian cysts. The blood composition of the cyst comes from an injury or from blood vessel leakage into the egg sac. Some causes of ovarian cysts can be attributed to the bleeding and shedding endometrial tissue that imbeds itself in the ovaries. This build up will eventually rupture and cause pelvic pain.

While you can't prevent the actual causes of ovarian cysts from occurring, certain steps can be taken to improve your overall health. Increasing exercise, controlling stress, improving your diet, and regular checkups with your gynecologist can all help reduce the chances of developing ovarian cysts.