What Is Involuting Follicle Or Follicular Cyst?
Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts are benign harmless cysts that, in majority of the cases, develop in females of reproductive age in the ovaries. Basically, Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts are fluid filled pockets of tissue that develop due to ovulation in females. In extremely rare cases, Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts tend to occur in girls who have not attained puberty. These cysts never develop in postmenopausal females. Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts are normally painless and noncancerous.
In some cases, these cysts may alter the menstrual cycle of a female for some time but almost always there is spontaneous resolution of Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts. It is very rare but certain complications requiring medical attention may arise due to Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts.
What Causes Involuting Follicle Or Follicular Cyst?
Menstrual cycles are the primary cause for the development of Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts. A female of reproductive age will always develop cyst like follicles every month in the ovaries. The function of these follicles is to produce hormones estrogen and progesterone. They also facilitate release of egg during ovulation. This follicle then bursts after the menstrual cycle and dissolves.
In case if the follicle does not burst after the menstrual cycle or release the egg during ovulation it tends to lead to the development of Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts.
What Are The Symptoms Of Involuting Follicle Or Follicular Cyst?
Usually Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts are completely asymptomatic and the individual may not even know that she has Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cyst but if the cyst ruptures then females may experience symptoms to include:
- Lower abdominal pain
- Lower abdominal bloating
- Nausea along with vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Alteration in menstrual periods
Immediate medical attention is required in cases if a female experiences sudden abdominal pain that is severe which is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever. These symptoms may suggest rupture of the cyst which would require medical attention for a quick diagnosis and treatment.
How Is Involuting Follicle Or Follicular Cyst Diagnosed?
As most of Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts do not cause any symptoms, a diagnosis of this condition is usually made incidentally when the patient is being evaluated for some other medical condition. An Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cyst may also be diagnosed during a routine physical examination.
If the cyst is completely asymptomatic and the patient does not have any other underlying medical conditions then the cyst is basically monitored and observed allowing it to resolve on its own.
A vaginal sonogram may be ordered in some cases if the cyst becomes symptomatic along with a detailed pelvic examination to identify the cause of the symptoms other than the Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cyst.
Advanced radiological studies may also be ordered in some cases in the form of CT or MRI scans to check the status of the Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts.
How Is Involuting Follicle Or Follicular Cyst Treated?
If an individual has been diagnosed with Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts without any symptoms then only observation is recommended and the cyst is allowed to resolve on its own. The cyst will be monitored regularly to check for any signs of growth.
In some cases where the cyst becomes large enough to cause obstruction and block blood supply to the ovaries and other surrounding organ structures then surgery may be recommended to remove the cyst and restore adequate blood supply to the organs. Additionally, oral contraceptives may be recommended so as to prevent development of any future Involuting Follicle or Follicular Cysts.
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