Modern medicine provides further insight into the nature of ovarian cysts. The ovary is an essential organ that matures an ovum each month, oversees ovulation, and secretes female sex hormones. A fluid-filled sac that develops on this organ is called an ovarian cyst, which generally falls into either a functional cyst or a benign tumor.
Most ovarian cysts are functional cysts that form and resolve naturally during the ovulation cycle. Common examples include a follicular cyst, which develops when an ovarian follicle fails to release an ovum and instead fills with fluid, and a corpus luteum cyst, which occurs when fluid or hemorrhage collects as the follicle transitions into the corpus luteum after ovulation. Most functional cysts regress on their own within several weeks or months. However, problems arise when a cyst continues to enlarge, causes persistent pain, or leads to acute complications such as rupture or ovarian torsion.
What causes these cysts to develop? The stagnation of qi and blood described in traditional medicine corresponds closely to hormonal imbalance in modern physiology. Reproductive hormones are regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Chronic stress, irregular routines, overwork, and sleep deprivation can disrupt this axis, altering the production of estrogen and progesterone. For instance, an excess of estrogen relative to progesterone can disrupt follicular maturation and ovulation, increasing the likelihood of cyst formation.
In addition, inflammatory changes and conditions such as endometriosis can contribute to cyst development. An endometrioma, which forms when endometrial tissue implants on the ovary, often causes severe dysmenorrhea and subfertility. Less commonly, a dermoid cyst containing tissue such as hair or sebum may also occur.
Key symptoms include lower abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, abdominal distension, and digestive discomfort. In severe cases, cyst rupture or ovarian torsion can cause acute abdominal pain and shock. If these symptoms recur, visiting a clinic for an evaluation with ultrasonography is advisable. Most cysts resolve spontaneously or respond well to conservative care, making it important to pay attention to ongoing bodily signals.
