Adnexal Cyst

Adnexa is the region in a woman's body which is adjacent to the uterus and comprises ovaries and fallopian tubes, along with the associated blood vessels, ligaments, connective tissues etc. A pathological condition in adnexa may stem from uterus, bowel or retroperitoneum. At times, it may be a result of metastatic disease from some other site of the body such as the breast or stomach. Adrenal cyst is a formation of tumor in this region.

Adnexal Cyst Causes
In women, it is common for the normal functioning ovaries to produce 6 - 7 follicular cysts per year. These adnexal cysts are of benign nature and get resolved on their own. They are considered as a common part of menstrual cycle. However, they present a problem when they persists for too long or become abnormally large. In pre-menopausal women, the causes of adnexal cyst are mostly ectopic pregnancies, endometria, polycystic ovaries, tubo-ovarian abscess etc. On the other hand, cancer, fibroids, fibromas, diverticular abscess etc., can be the cause of adnexal cyst in post-menopausal women. The neoplasm that forms a part of adnexal cyst formation can be benign most of the time, especially in pre-menopausal women. Malignant adnexal cyst is a pretty serious condition, which needs immediate medical intervention.

Adnexal Cyst Symptoms
In most women, adnexal cyst produces no symptoms at all. They are often reported accidentally while routine gynecological examination. In very few cases, adnexal cyst symptoms may induce pain in pelvic region. In case of pre-menopausal women, adnexal cyst may cause irregularity in periods. Rarely, bleeding may occur at the site of the adnexal cyst. Large adnexal cyst often imposes pressure on the bladder or rectum. This makes it pretty difficult to urinate and may also lead to constipation. Increased frequency of urination is yet another symptom of adnexal cyst symptom. Gastrointestinal disorders are common in cases of malignant adnexal cysts.

Adnexal Cyst Diagnosis
Medical history of the woman plays a vital role in the diagnosis of adnexal cyst. Irregular periods, long phases of amenorrhea etc. are indicative of the possibility of ovarian cyst or polycystic ovarian disease. An extensive pelvic examination is required to affirm the possibility of adnexal cyst. It is also important to identify the type of adnexal cyst, so that the course of treatment can be decided. An instrument called speculum is widely used in the diagnosis of adnexal cyst which widens the vagina, so that your doctor can have a better view of the pelvic region. If the doctor suspects a neoplasm, then he might ask you to go for an ultrasound or pelvic sonogram. Ultrasonography successfully detects any abnormal growths in the adnexal region.

Adnexal Cyst Treatment
If adnexal cysts subside on their own, then no treatment for these cysts is required. These functional cysts are often harmless, but may take their own time to resolve. Oral contraceptives may be prescribed to fasten this process in women of reproductive age. Adnexal cysts in post menopausal women need supervision for quite some time. They need to be closely monitored for their growth rate and occurrences of new cysts. They can be removed by surgery. If the adnexal cyst is found to be present in a young girl (this is possible, as they can be found even in female fetus), then surgery is the only option to cure it.

Adnexal cyst is a pretty generic term that does not indicate the magnitude of seriousness. Since, they are often detected during routine examination, it is important to get yourself routinely examined by your gynecologist, more so, if you are above 40 years of age. Also, any irregularities in pattern or duration of menstruation should also be reported.