T
he female gonad, the ovary, produces oocytes
(eggs) that mature in the inner wall of ovarian fol
-
licles, which are sphere-shaped aggregations of
cells in the ovary. Each month, a follicle ruptures
and releases an oocyte (see
Figure 1
). Occasionally, the
oocyte does not release or the follicle does not rupture. If
the follicle continues to grow, it can develop into a f luid-
filled sac called an ovarian cyst. Many women will devel
-
op ovarian cysts at some point in their lives. Typically
these cysts, also known as functional cysts, produce
minor to no symptoms, and resolve on their own.
1
Symptoms of ovarian cysts include irregular menses, pain,
nausea, vomiting, fullness or heaviness in the abdomen, or
pressure in the pelvis
1
; some cysts bleed inside the ovary.
2
W hen pain is sudden or severe or accompanied by fever or
signs of shock, immediate medical help is necessary
because cysts can be life-threatening.
1
The ovary can
become torsed (twisted), or the cyst might rupture, caus
-
ing hemoperitoneum.