How Are Ovarian Cysts Diagnosed?

There are lots of women who want to know how ovarian cysts are diagnosed; maybe due to their curiosity and in preparation for the future. Ovarian cysts are found when women undergo a pelvic examination. If the doctors suspect a cyst, they often advise the patient for further testing in order to know the type of the cyst and whether treatment is needed or not. But before you know about how are ovarian cysts detected, it is best that you know first what ovarian cysts are.

What are Ovarian Cysts?

Cysts are sacs that are filled with fluids which can form anywhere within the body. These cysts are formed on or in the ovaries. Functional cyst is the commonest kind of cyst in the ovary. This type of ovarian cyst is formed during menstruation. The two kinds are:

Follicle Cysts. These types of cysts are formed when the ovary sac doesn't break for the eggs' release and it keeps on growing. Follicle cysts often go away in 3 months.

Corpus Luteum. When the sac doesn't dissolve, these cysts are formed. Instead, it is sealed off when the eggs are released then the fluids are building up inside. They may cause pain but they're rarely cancerous.

How Are Ovarian Cysts Diagnosed?

Typically, doctors will ask first the patients some questions in order to know a diagnosis. Here are some of them:

Size. What is the size of the cyst?

Composition. Is the cyst solid, filled with watery substance or mixed? Cysts that are filled with fluid are not cancerous. Those considered as mixed or solid need further evaluation in order to determine whether a tumor is present or not.

If you want to know how are ovarian cysts detected, here are some of the procedures performed by doctors.

Pregnancy test

When a pregnancy test turns positive, it might suggest that the cyst you have is corpus luteum, which develops when the follicle (ruptured) that released the eggs reseals and then fluid build-up occurs.

Pelvic ultrasound

This is a painless procedure where a transducer is utilized to send as well as receive sound waves that are high frequency (ultrasound). The instrument is movable over the abdomen and your vagina, which creates an image or picture of your ovaries and uterus on a screen. The resulting image can be photographed then analyzed by the doctors in order to confirm whether a cyst is present or not, determine its state and identify the location.

Laparoscopy

An instrument called laparoscope is used in the procedure. It is a slim and lighted medical instrument that is inserted into the abdomen through an incision (small). After the instrument was inserted, the doctor can now see the ovaries and then remove the cyst.

CA 125 blood test

Women with cancer of the ovary often have elevated CA 125. If partially solid cysts are developed in the ovary and you have high ovarian cancer risk, the doctor will test the CA 125 levels in the blood in order to determine whether the cyst is cancerous or not. Elevated levels of CA 125 can occur in conditions such as uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory illnesses and endometriosis. Surgeries on how are ovarian cysts removed is also available in the treatment of this medical condition.