Taking care of your reproductive health requires a good understanding of how it functions and what you can do to maintain it. It is crucial to look for signs of fibroids or cysts, which may indicate underlying health conditions require a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan. But what exactly are fibroids and cysts?
What are Fibroids?
Fibroids are benign (noncancerous) growths found in or on the uterine walls; they are sometimes referred to as uterine fibroids. They are the most common form of benign growths found in women and typically do not exhibit any symptoms. While considered benign, fibroids may still cause various health complications, such as pelvic pain, painful periods, abnormal uterine bleeding, and pain around the lower back and pelvis.
Types of Fibroids
Fibroids can be categorised into several different types:
- Intramural: These fibroids commonly develop within the muscular walls of the uterus and can cause changes to its shape.
- Subserosal: These grow on the outer uterine layer and can pressure on nearby tissues and organs.
- Submucosal: These fibroids are found below the uterine lining and can cause serious fertility-related complications if untreated.
What are Cysts?
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs typically found in the ovaries. Most cysts are benign and sometimes form as part of hormonal changes you undergo during the menstruation cycle, and are a sign that your ovaries are alright. However, benign cysts can potentially cause various symptoms, such as abdominal or pelvic pain, irregular periods, and thigh pain. Some cysts are also associated with certain medical conditions, such as endometriosis.
Types of Ovarian Cysts
Cysts can also be divided into a few different types:
- Functional: These cysts form as part of a healthy menstrual cycle and will resolve on their own.
- Dermoid: Also known as a teratoma, these smooth cysts originate from reproductive cells in the ovaries.
- Endometriomas: These cysts indicate endometriosis, where endometrial tissue grows outside the womb.
- Cystadenomas: These benign cysts are found on the surface of either ovary (or both of them).
Cysts are often confused with fibroids and tumours, as they share similar properties. However, a cyst’s fluid-filled nature does distinguish it from a tumour, but requires a medical diagnosis.
Comparing Fibroids vs Cysts
Despite their shared similarities as benign growths, fibroids and cysts are quite unlike each other in reality.
Location
Fibroids are commonly found in the uterus, while cysts only grow in the ovaries. Both fibroids and cysts can be simultaneously present in one’s reproductive system, so early screenings can help identify benign or malignant ones.
Composition
Fibroids appear as dense muscle and fibrous tissue growth, while cysts are fluid-filled sacs. A medical checkup can easily distinguish the two.
Complications
While both share similar symptoms, such as abdominal and pelvic pain, they do differ in other ways. For example, fibroids may cause abnormal bleeding during menstruation, while cysts may cause irregular periods.
Primary Causes
The exact cause of fibroids remains uncertain, but some studies suggest that it is due to genetics or hormonal changes.
As for cysts, functional cysts are the most common cause during menstrual cycle. However, other cysts may appear due to risk factors like hormone imbalances or underlying conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) .
Diagnosis
Detecting fibroids and cysts uses similar diagnostic measures. These include pelvic exams to detect physical changes in the affected areas and ultrasound imaging to see changes to the uterus or ovaries, as well as other lab tests. Additional tests, such as a hysterosonography, may help acquire clear images of the uterine lining and check for other complications.
Treatment Methods
Because of their benign nature, some treatment plans initially adopt “watchful waiting” approach to see if the condition changes and determine the best course of action for treatment. Medications may help treat mild fibroids or cysts, while surgery is reserved for severe cases involving malignant fibroids or cysts.
Are Fibroids and Cysts Cancerous?
At times, people still confuse fibroids and cysts as cancerous tumours due to shared symptoms. While that does depend, fibroids and cysts are rarely cancerous. Fibroids and cysts are only found in the womb and ovaries, respectively, and do not always increase your risk of cancer.
At O&G The Women’s Specialist
Preventive care starts with an early screening, and here at O&G The Women’s Medical Specialist, we are ready to support your journey with a full range of fertility care services dedicated to your well-being.
