Hemorrhagic Cyst

Cysts are closed pockets or sacs that contain fluid, gas, or semi-solid materials. They can occur on any human tissue, including bone skin and mucous membranes. Cysts may be present on the outside of the skin or may show themselves on internal organs. There are many different things that can cause a cyst such as infection, chronic inflammation, tumors, and certain genetic problems. Most of the time, a cyst occurs when the body does not properly drain fluids.

What is a Hemorrhagic cyst?

As the name suggests, a hemorrhagic cyst is a cyst that is filled with blood. These cysts can also present themselves in a number of places, however the most common that often cause concern are ones that are internal. Depending on their location, hemorrhagic cysts may be very painful. Ovarian cysts are often the source of many problems for an affected individual especially if a chronic condition is present.

Picture of Hemorrhagic Cyst

Hemorrhagic cysts may cause people to worry about things like cancer, however, around 95% of these cysts are noncancerous. A biopsy may be needed to further diagnose the type of cyst that has formed and whether it is benign, a cyst that does not harm or invade surrounding tissue, or malignant, able to spread to other tissues.

Size of Hemorrhagic Cysts

The size of a hemorrhagic cyst often depends on the location. Cysts that form on the vocal cords may be a significantly different size than a cyst that has formed in the liver. Because of this, a physician may base his treatment options on the size of the cyst relative to the area. Ovarian Cysts that are smaller than 5 cm are typically seen as cysts that may end up resolving themselves. However, hemorrhagic cysts of any size that begin to cause a lot of problems such as pain or interrupt other functions of the body are taken serious and surgical interventions may be warranted.

One of the largest hemorrhagic cysts that have been reported was that of an adrenal cyst on a 66-year-old male patient. The individual’s complaint was swelling and pain in his abdomen. After diagnostic tests, the patient was found to have a 22 cm hemorrhagic cyst on an adrenal gland.

It is important to realize that sometimes cysts happen. Typically smaller cysts can be normal and may not present any problems at all and usually take care of themselves.

Hemorrhagic Ovarian Cyst

Symptoms

Sometimes, it is possible for a cyst to not have symptoms at all. If the cyst is causing problems, the symptoms may be dependent upon where the hemorrhagic cyst is located. For instance, a cyst in the vocal cords may carry symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or speaking while a cyst located on an ovary may cause painful urination or vaginal spotting. Hemorrhagic cysts do however carry some symptoms that are typical wherever it may reside.

These symptoms may include:

• Nausea and Vomiting
• Pain in the area of the cyst
• Radiating pain (pain that moves throughout a region)
• Deferred pain ( pain that is present in a different area of where the cyst is located.)
• Problems with basic bodily functions depending on cyst location. (swallowing, speaking, urination, bowel movements)
• Swelling and tenderness, especially in the abdominal region.
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Infertility
• Hematuria (blood in urine)
• Changes in vital signs

Some of these symptoms may be signs of other medical conditions. It is important to consult a physician in order to get an accurate diagnosis.

Causes of Hemorrhagic cysts

A cyst is usually caused by the body not being able to correctly drain fluids from the tissue. What makes hemorrhagic cysts unique is that they are filled with blood. If a hemorrhagic cyst should grow and rupture, the individual would experience active internal bleeding. This may last for a short amount of time until the body repairs itself or become a greater problem needing emergency intervention. This usually occurs in vascular tissues such as the ovaries.

Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts are some of the most common types of hemorrhagic cysts that are found in clinical practice. These types of cysts occur in women who still experience menstruation. Every month when an egg is released, it travels through the ovarian follicle and sometimes causes this follicle to bleed and forms a cyst.

While they may be painful, hemorrhagic ovarian cysts typically do not have many other symptoms that accompany them. Fertility is not affected unless the cysts become so common and large, around 10 cm, that the ovaries need to be removed.

Hemorrhagic cysts that occur elsewhere in the body can be caused by infection, chronic irritation of tissues or chronic inflammation.

How to treat Hemorrhagic cysts?

Typically, a hemorrhagic cyst is resolved on its own. Surgical intervention is required only when the cyst becomes large enough to affect body systems and deemed dangerous by a physician. A hemorrhagic ovarian cyst is usually monitored closely by a doctor with the use of sonogram. Ovarian cysts can resolve themselves in a matter of weeks or months.

There are three facets of the treatment of any affliction: removal, prevention, and maintenance.

In the case of ovarian cysts, removal of the cyst would include either wait until it heals itself, surgical, or medicinal intervention. Prevention might include doing things to lower estrogen levels in the body. While physicians are not completely sure about why some women experience hemorrhagic cysts during menstruation they have found that balancing hormone levels in the body may help prevent the cysts. Maintenance, in this case, would mean taking care of the body and maintain overall healthy practices such as regular check-ups and diet.

Treating Hemorrhagic cyst pain

Pain is sometimes the only symptom that may be had with hemorrhagic cysts. If the treatment plan includes the waiting it out option pain management will be a priority. For this, a physician may recommend taking NSAIDs or analgesics to help control inflammation and pain. For extreme pain, opioids such as oxycodone may be prescribed. Heating and cooling packs are also found to be helpful in managing pain and controlling inflammation.

There are many homeopathic treatments also available for ovarian cyst pain, cyst prevention, and ovarian health. This includes herbs and supplements that help to support a healthy endocrine system. This helps create a hormone balance that may affect cysts.