A follicular cyst is a type of benign ovarian cyst that develops from a follicle that is meant to burst out an egg at ovulation, but instead does not burst, and fills with fluid. A follicular cyst is known as a functional ovarian cyst.
Follicular cysts most commonly develop in ovulating women, with postmenopausal women never getting follicular cysts. Most follicular ovarian cysts are painless and harmless, and resolve on their own.1,2
Follicular cysts develop more often in women who have had ovarian cysts previously, have irregular periods, got their periods at an early age (age 11 or younger), use fertility drugs, have excess body fat around the torso, have high stress levels, and have hormone imbalances.
Women who are on the pill have less follicular cysts, since the pill stops ovulation.
Symptoms of a follicular ovarian cysts
- No symptoms at all
- If a follicular cyst becomes very large, it can rupture, causing sharp pain, pressure, nausea, breast tenderness, menstrual cycle disturbances3
Follicular cyst treatments
Treatments include leaving the follicular ovarian cyst completely alone to resolve on its own in several weeks. Monitoring will occur.
Any follicular ovarian cyst that is large enough to cause symptoms will likely be removed surgically.4
References
- 1.Grimes DA, Jones LB, Lopez LM, Schulz KF. Oral contraceptives for functional ovarian cysts. Grimes DA, ed. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Published online September 7, 2011. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd006134.pub4
- 2.Zhou F, Shi LB, Zhang SY. Ovarian Fibrosis. Chinese Medical Journal. Published online February 5, 2017:365-371. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.198931
- 3.Lim WH, Woods N, Lamaro VP. Trends and outcomes of ruptured ovarian cysts. Postgraduate Medical Journal. Published online March 12, 2021:e9-e9. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-138833
- 4.Shi X, Chen S, Yang Y, Liu L, Huang L. Laparoscopic surgeries for uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts reduce ovarian reserve via age- and surgical type-manner. Gynecological Endocrinology. Published online October 5, 2022:1068-1072. doi:10.1080/09513590.2022.2128104
Get a fresh perspective with a qualified, experienced vulvovaginal specialist naturopath.
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
The most comprehensive vaginal microbiome test you can take at home, brought to you by world-leading vaginal microbiome scientists at Juno Bio.
Easy-to-use BV and AV treatment program.
Promote and support a protective vaginal microbiome with tailored probiotic species.
