What Are Ovarian Cysts?

Types of Ovarian Cysts Part II
What are cysts?

Cysts are any collection of fluid between membranes and can occur virtually anywhere in your body.  More specifically, though, ovarian cysts only occur on the ovaries.

An ovarian cyst can be of various sizes and anything greater than 2 centimeters is considered to be a cyst.

This explanation however, is very generic, and the majority of all cysts can be classified by how they form.  This means that any real explanation of what a cyst is must also explain what kind of cyst it is.

By far the most common types of ovarian cysts are called Functional Ovarian Cysts and are very common among women of child bearing years.

Also, by far the most common type of functional ovarian cyst is the Follicular ovarian cyst.

A follicular ovarian cyst is formed during the regular menstrual cycle.  The growth of a follicle (a sac which contains the egg) is normal during the course of a woman’s period, and in the normal course of events it would  rupture and an egg would be released.

However, if the egg for some reason does not rupture the follicle and exit the sac, the sac containing the egg then fills up with fluid, often hardens, and becomes what is known as a follicular functional cyst.

The second type of ovarian cyst is called a Corpus Luteum Ovarian cyst which is formed from the follicle, but after the egg ruptures the follicle and leaves.  The problem occurs once the egg is gone.  What happens in these types of cysts is that the follicle is able to seal up and does not dissolve as it normally does.  It then begins to fill with fluid and becomes a cyst