Lets find out Difference Between Ovarian Cyst and Fibroid
Uterine fibroid develops in the wall of uterus. It generally comes out during a woman’s childbearing age. It can be different in sizes and consist of muscles and fibrous tissue. It’s a kind of tumor but it will not turn into cancer. But if ignored sometimes it can create other health issues like abdominal pain and many others.
On other side, Ovarian cyst occurs in the two ovaries of women or sometimes on the outer edge of ovaries. In a normal period cycle ovaries release eggs that are mature but with the condition of ovarian cyst ovaries produce immature eggs. Eventually, they turn into cyst. The cysts contains fluid inside. They differently harm your menstrual cycle and create difficulties in conceiving.
Types of Uterine Fibroid vs Ovarian cyst types
Types of Uterine Fibroid
There are several type of fibroids that can develop in the uterus. The type of uterine fibroids depends on the fibroid’s location in uterus. We normally generalize them into four types. The types are mentioned below:
- Intramural Fibroids: Intramural fibroids grows within the muscular wall of the uterus. They are harmless and most common type of fibroids. Though sometimes it can be problematic and cause heavy periods, painful intercourse, back pain, difficulties in conceiving.
- Subserosal Fibroids: Subserosal fibroids grow outside the uterus. Sometimes they became large and lead to complications. As they grow outside layer of uterus, small subserosal fibroids don’t show any severe symptoms to periods. But they may cause back pain or bladder pressure (increase urinary frequently), also relates to constipation.
- Pedunculated Fibroids: This kind of fibroid is attached to uterus by a peduncle, a stalk-like growth. If it grows inside we call it pedunculated submucosal fibroid. And if it grows outside we call it pedunculated subserosal fibroid.
- Submucosal Fibroids: Submucosal fibroids develop beneath the uterus lining. It is also non-cancerous. The size can vary from small to large. It creates complications during fertility process. People with submucosal fibroids sometimes experience heavy bleeding during menstruation or prolonged period.
Ovarian Cyst types
Ovarian cyst types are exist depending on the location of cyst and cause. The two type of general cysts are – 1. Functional cyst & 2. Pathological cyst
- Functional Cyst: The functional cyst develop during the time of ovulation. They are harmless and get shrink over the with treatment. We can further generalize functional cyst into two types, follicular & corpus luteum.
- Follicular cyst: Follicular cyst are fluid-filled sacs, usually small. These fluid filled sacs are grows in the follicle where the egg develop during the follicular period menstrual cycle. They are generally harmless.
- Corpus luteum cyst: Corpus luteum cyst is a fluid-filled structure that develops in the ovaries. It generates from corpus luteum (group of cells),that forms after ovulation, when the ovaries releases an egg.
- Pathological cyst: Pathological cyst are generally happen due to any disease or serious health condition. This type of cyst include:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: When the ovaries generate more androgen (male hormone) than normal, it harms the process of advancing the eggs. High androgens help to grow the ovarian follicle, but the follicles don’t release mature eggs, then a fluid builds up inside the follicles which eventually turns them into cysts.
- Endometriomas: This are the kind of cyst which are filled with endometrial tissue. The fluid is dark and thick. This is exactly the same tissue that a women bleeds every month during menstruation.
- Dermoid Cyst: This is a common type of cyst. A dermoid cyst is fluid-filled sac that contains the cells that can form tissues like teeth, hair and skin.
Symptoms of Uterine Fibroid Vs Symptoms of Ovarian Cyst
Normal fibroids generally don’t show any symptoms but in severe cases symptoms of uterine fibroids are
- Heavy bleeding in your period
- Pelvic pain
- Pain in lower abdomen
- Painful intercourse
- Constipation
- Back pain
- Weight changes
- Anemia
- Fatigue
Symptoms of ovarian cysts can vary from person to person. The common symptoms are
- Painful periods
- Severe pelvic pain
- Bloating
- Irregular periods
- Extreme heavy or light bleeding
- Infertility
- Painful intercourse
- Weakness
- Depression
So, after reading the above paragraphs we find out some basic differences between Uterine Fibroid and Ovarian Cyst. Other differences are written below:
Both the conditions affect women’s reproductive health but some other notable differences between fibroids and ovarian cyst includes:
- Fibroids grow in the wall of uterus and ovarian cyst develop in ovaries
- Fibroids are noncancerous, while ovarian cysts can lead to cancer
- Fibroids are like tumors but ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs
- Severe pelvic pain or cramps may be caused by fibroids and abdominal pain or lower back pain may be caused by cysts
- Fibroids size can range from small to large, where cysts are smaller one than fibroids
- Fibroids are different or irregular in shape but cysts are generally found as oval & round
Treatment of Uterine Fibroid vs Treatment of Ovarian Cyst
Uterine fibroid and Ovarian cyst are two different conditions but they can affect your reproductive health. Both the conditions are treatable with the help of medications and surgeries. To know more about the treatment procedure read the below points.
Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
The treatment of uterine fibroid depends on various factors, like your age, your concern, whether you are pregnant or not, your fibroid size, your health issues & many others. Generally, fibroids don’t need treatment, but if it become severe then it required treatment.
- Medications and hormonal therapies: To reduce the symptoms of fibroids doctors will use intrauterine devices. It will help to relp to release hormones to overcome the heavy bleeding & pain. Doctor’s may prescribe iron supplements in case you have anemia due to heavy bleeding. To give you relief from period cramps they will also suggest pain relievers, like ibufrofen or naproxen. By stopping ovulation process hormonal shots can be taken to shrink the fibroids.
- Dietary changes: Dietary changes can help a lot prevent fibroids or manage it.Fruits, vegetables, vitamin D, Omega3 fatty acids and fiber should be in your diet.
- Other processes: Avoid processed foods, don’t drink alcohol, quit smoking, regular exercise, weight maintenance can help.
Surgical Procedures
Surgical procedures for the treatment of uterine fibroids include:
- Endometrial ablation: In this procedure of endometrial ablation, doctor will place a scope through cervix to destroy the lining of the uterus with high energy heat. It is useful to destroy the small fibroids.
- Uterine artery embolization: Uterine artery embolization is one more procedure to remove fibroids. In this procedure small particles are injected to the uterus to blocks the blood from reaching to fibroids. For this reason, the fibroids started to shrink.
- Myomectomy: Myomectomy is a fibroid removal surgery. Your surgeon will removes the fibroids they preserve the tissue in your uterus in various way, so that you can achieve pregnancy later.
- Hysterectomy: Hysterectomy is surgical procedure of the whole uterus removal. This procedure is only applicable if you have no more wish to be pregnant. The motif is different from myomectomy.
Treatment of Ovarian Cysts
On the other side, the treatment of ovarian cyst will also depend on the condition of your cyst, symptoms and of course on your age. Treatment of ovarian cyst include:
- Medicine: There is no such particular medicine for ovarian cyst but your doctor may prescribe you medications such as birthday control pills. It won’t make the cyst go away but it will stop ovulation and for this the formation of cyst can stop.
- Lifestyle changes: Drink plenty water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, don’t take stress, maintain a healthy weight can help you a lot.
Surgical procedures
If your cysts are getting bigger and the symptoms are getting worse, then your doctor may suggest you surgical procedures. Which include:
- Laparoscopy: It’s a cyst removal procedure. Here laparoscope will inserted through a small incision in lower abdomen. A camera will be attached to the laparoscope so that doctor can check your cyst position and get access to them. After that they will remove the cysts from ovaries.
- Laparotomy: This process is more serious than laparoscopy.If your cysts go in a severe condition, doctor will recommend you to do this surgery. By making a large incision in your abdomen doctor will get the access to your cysts and they will remove it from your organs. A doctor will recommend you this process for larger cysts or if they suspect cancer.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- What is uterine fibroids?
Answer: Fibroids are like, that grows in uterus. And it’s noncancerous.
- What are ovarian cysts?
Answer: Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs.
- What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?
Answer: Painful periods, severe pelvic pain, irregular periods, extreme or less bleeding, depression, weakness and infertility are all the symptoms of ovarian cysts.
- Can fibroids cause infertility?
Answer: No, generally it’s not. But some types of fibroids can block your fallopian tube. So it depends on the condition.
- Are ovarian cysts common?
Answer: Yes, it’s very much common. 3 out of 5 women are now diagnosed with it.