| By :
Pasi Kaarakainen
Regular pelvic exams are an excellent way to make sure that some life threatening conditions will be noticed early. This is especially true if a woman is 50 years old and going through menopause, since these women are at higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. When the disease is detected early the odds of recovering will increase significantly. It is absolutely possible that yearly pelvic exam will someday save your life. It is common that ovarian cysts are detected in a pelvic exam. A phycisian can notice these cysts in routine exams of the pelvis and lower abdominal areas. When they are present doctor may recommend further tests. One method of identification is an ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves moving through the body. The sound waves create images of the cyst providing information as to the shape, size and location of the cyst. In addition, an ultrasound can determine whether the ovarian cyst contains fluid, is solid or is a mixture of fluid and solid mass. Cysts can also be related to the levels of hormones. Atypical hormone levels provide some additional information about the cysts, such as the cause and origin of them. Another test that might be ordered, particularly on women older than 35 years is a CA-125 test. This test increases in ovarian cancer and is used when a woman is a high risk candidate for ovarian cancer, or has partially solid ovarian cysts. Some of the most typical ovarian cysts symptoms include pain in the pelvis and abdomen areas, painful sexual intercourse, abnormal bleeding or heavy periods, difficulties to urinate, and increased hair growth. While most symptoms are rather harmless, there are also symptoms that require immediate medical attention. If you feel dizziness or faint, or the pain is very intense you should immediately contact to your doctor. Also increased temperature with pain and vomiting are symptoms that require medical attention. While most ovarian cysts disappear on their own without causing any symptoms, they are often left unnoticed. The cysts are typically benign. However, after menopausal years of a woman's life, her risk of having ovarian cancer will increase. If you experience any of the more severe symptoms described above, you need to meet your doctor for specific analyses. If you feel weakness, have increased temperature, vomiting, or intense pain in lower abdomen go to see your physician. If a cyst is present a physician may recommend waiting to see if it disappears on its own. If surgery is necessary, the procedure is a simple one that involves a laparoscopy exam which involves insertion of a small scope through the abdominal wall to remove the cyst. Larger cysts are removed using a laparotomy which requires larger incisions in the abdominal area.
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