Functional ovarian cysts are not uncommon for many women and in most cases do not warrant much cause for concern. Indeed, most ovarian cysts do not lead to or indicate cancer. Though some cysts may cause discomfort and others may require some treatment, the majority of functional ovarian cysts are asymptomatic and do not require treatment.

When ovulation does not take place, or when a mature follicle breaks down, a simple form of ovarian cyst may form, called a follicular cyst. This cyst can become as large as 2 or more inches in diameter, but will usually disappear by itself after only a few months, and will usually show no symptoms.

When the ovarian gland makes progesterone as a part of ovulation and the release of an egg during the menstrual cycle, a corpus luteum cyst can result. The corpus luteum is a round gland which in its healthy state is about an inch in diameter and fluid-filled. Most corpus luteum cysts are asymptomatic and disappear without treatment. They are most likely to develop at the end of the menstrual cycle or during the early months of a pregnancy . Because they do not cause noticeable symptoms, they may form and heal without being noticed.

A functional cyst on the ovaries that is filled with blood that is released from time to time is known as a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst. Although this type of cyst won’t always burst, if it does it will cause a burning feeling in the pelvic area from leaking blood. Hemorrhagic cysts are common, however, and most of the time nothing needs to be done to treat them. If a doctor thinks the cyst is an indicator of endometriosis, they may perform surgery to remove it.

Dermoid cysts are a type of ovarian cyst which develops out of the ovaries totipotential germ cell. The totipotential germ cell produces hair, teeth, bones, and similar tissues. Dermoid cysts can appear in women of any age. However, they are most common during the reproductive years. Different types of physical tissue can be found in dermoid cysts. It is possible to find teeth and hair remnants in dermoid cysts. Since they can prevent blood flow to the ovaries, doctors frequently remove dermoid cysts through surgery.

A pathological ovarian cyst can include tumors and endometriosis. These are very rare and can only be diagnosed after extensive examination by a doctor. A tumor is a type of pathological ovarian cyst that can be found both in non-cancerous, benign forms as well as cancerous, malignant forms. Once found, tumors need to be treated quickly. They are usually persistent, larger than 6 cm, and thick walled. In contrast, an endometrioid cyst caused by endometriosis is formed when a patch of endometrial tissue bleeds, sloughs off, and becomes transplanted inside the ovaries. This usually occurs in women during their prime reproductive years. Again, pathological ovarian cysts are rarer than functional cysts.

There are many different types of ovarian cysts and each type should be diagnosed and treated properly. Pathological ovarian cysts are less common but potentially more serious than functional cysts. Women should speak to doctors about any cyst they have, especially if they are experiencing pain in the pelvic region.

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