Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs in the ovary. They are common and usually form during ovulation. Ovulation happens when the ovary releases an egg each month. Many women with ovarian cysts don’t have symptoms. The cysts are usually harmless.

Many women develop ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled pockets on the ovary. Most cysts occur when the egg is not properly released or the follicle does not dissolve properly. Most cysts are harmless and will go away on their own. These cysts can disrupt a woman’s cycle causing her to have highly irregular menstruation cycles. Depending on the type of cyst, most of these irregulated can be regulated by medication.

The two most common types of cysts are:

  • follicle cysts. In a normal menstrual cycle, an ovary releases an egg each month. The egg grows inside a tiny sac called a follicle. When the egg matures, the follicle breaks open to release the egg. follicle cysts form when the follicle doesn’t break open to release the egg. This causes the follicle to continue growing into a cyst. follicle cysts often have no symptoms and go away in one to three months.
  • Corpus luteum cysts. Once the follicle breaks open and releases the egg, the empty follicle sac shrinks into a mass of cells called corpus luteum. Corpus luteum makes hormones to prepare for the next egg for the next menstrual cycle. Corpus luteum cysts form if the sac doesn’t shrink. Instead, the sac reseals itself after the egg is released, and then fluid builds up inside. Most corpus luteum cysts go away after a few weeks.