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Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs located in or on the ovary. The ovaries are almond-sized organs located on either side of the uterus. Eggs develop and grow in the ovaries and are ejected each month during menstruation during fertile times.

Many women have ovarian cysts. Most ovarian cysts cause no discomfort and are harmless. Many cysts go away without treatment within a few months.

But some ruptured ovarian cysts can cause serious symptoms. The best way to protect your health is to know the symptoms and types of cysts and not to delay regular examinations.

Ovarian Cyst Symptoms

You can't rely on symptoms whether or not you have an ovarian cyst. Because even though you have a cyst, you may not have any symptoms. Or your symptoms may be similar to endometriosis, inflammatory pelvic disease, ectopic pregnancy, or ovarian cancer. Even appendicitis and diverticulitis have similar symptoms.

Still, it's crucial to observe symptoms, monitor changes in your body, and know which symptom is important. If you have an ovarian cyst, you may observe one or more of the following symptoms:

  • menstrual irregularities
  • Pelvic pain – stabbing or regular pain
  • Pelvic pain that starts just before your period or ends just before your period
  • pain during sexual intercourse
  • Pain or pressure in the intestines during bowel motility
  • Nausea, choking, or breast tenderness like in pregnancy
  • Swelling or feeling of heaviness in the abdomen
  • Pressure in the bladder or rectum area

When to Go to the Doctor for Ovarian Cyst?

Sudden and severe pain in the abdomen or pelvic area

If you have a feeling of pain along with fever and vomiting, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.

If you have these symptoms and other symptoms such as cold, clammy skin, rapid breathing, mild headache or weakness, consult your doctor.

Follicles form in the ovaries every month, similar to cysts. Follicles produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone and release the egg when you ovulate. Sometimes a monthly normal follicle continues to grow, in which case it is called a functional cyst. This means that this cyst formed during the normal function of the menstrual cycle.

There are 2 types of functional cysts:

Follicular Cyst: Towards the middle of the menstrual cycle, the pituitary gland in your brain releases the hormone LH, signaling this follicle to release the egg. When everything goes according to plan, the egg leaves the follicle and begins its journey towards the fallopian tubes, where fertilization will take place.

Follicular cyst occurs when the LH surge does not occur. As a result, the follicle does not crack and does not release the egg. Instead, it grows and turns into a cyst. Such cysts are generally harmless, rarely painful, and usually disappear spontaneously within 2-3 menstrual cycles.

Corpus luteum Cyst: When the LH hormone is increased and the egg is released, the cracked follicle begins to produce greater amounts of estrogen and progesterone to enable pregnancy. This altered follicle is now the corpus luteum. Sometimes, however, the exit gate of the egg is blocked and fluid builds up inside the follicle, causing the corpus luteum to form a cyst.

Although this cyst usually resolves spontaneously within a few weeks, it can also form a 7 cm cyst; It can cause internal bleeding, cause rotation of the ovary, interfere with the blood supply, and cause abdominal pain. If it fills with blood, the cyst may rupture, causing internal bleeding and sudden severe pain.

A large ovarian cyst can cause abdominal discomfort. If a large cyst is pressing on your bladder, you may need to urinate more often.

Some women may develop cysts that are asymptomatic but are discovered during a pelvic exam. Cystic structures formed after menopause may be precursors of cancer. These factors make regular examination important.

The following types of cysts are rarer than functional cysts:

Dermoid Cyst: Since these cysts are formed from cells that produce human eggs, they can contain tissues such as hair, skin, and teeth. They are rarely cancerous, but they can enlarge and displace the ovary normally. This increases the chance of painful rotation of the ovary, called ovarian torsion.

Endometrioma (Chocolate Cyst): These cysts develop as a result of endometriosis. Endometriosis is the settlement of the endometrium, which is found in the inner layer of the uterus and spills out every month in the form of menstrual bleeding, in a place outside the uterus in the body. This tissue can attach to the ovary and grow there.

Cystadenoma: These cysts are formed from ovarian tissue and have a water-like liquid or slimy material inside. They can grow up to 17 cm and cause ovarian torsion.

A cyst may be found during pelvic examination. If a cyst is suspected, your doctor may order further tests to determine the nature of the cyst and whether you need treatment.

In general, doctors ask many questions to diagnose a cyst.

Shape
Size
Composition: If it is filled with liquid, is it a single type of liquid or mixed?


To determine the nature of the cyst, your doctor may perform the following procedures:

Pregnancy test: A positive pregnancy test may indicate that the cyst is the Corpus luteum.

Pelvic ultrasound: With this device, it gives an image of the uterus and ovaries from the abdomen or through the vagina.

Laparoscopy: With the help of the laparoscope, your doctor can see the ovaries and remove the cyst.

CA 125 Blood Test: If you have an ovarian cyst that is partially solid, you are at risk of cancer and your doctor may order a CA 125 blood test. The CA 125 blood test may also be ordered when it is not a cancerous condition, such as endometriosis.

Treatment may vary according to your age, the nature and size of the cyst and your complaint. Your doctor may recommend:

Observation: If you are in your reproductive years, you have no complaints and you have a simple fluid-filled cyst on ultrasound; your doctor may recommend waiting and re-examination in 1 - 3 months. Observation includes regular follow-up with ultrasound.

Birth Control Pills: Your doctor may recommend birth control pills to prevent the formation of new cysts in future menstrual periods. With birth control pills, your chances of getting ovarian cancer are also reduced.

Operation: If the cyst is large, does not resemble a functional cyst, and continues to grow, your doctor may also recommend surgical removal.

Some cysts can be removed without the need to remove the ovary, known as a cystectomy. Your doctor may also suggest removing a damaged ovary and leaving the undamaged one. This is also called an oophorectomy. Both procedures do not harm your fertility. By not removing at least one ovary, estrogen production continues.

If your cyst is cancerous, your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy (removal of both the ovaries and uterus). After menopause, the formation of cancerous cysts increases. As a result, most doctors recommend the operation for cystic structures formed after menopause.

Protection

While there is no sure way to prevent an ovarian cyst from growing, early diagnosis can be made with regular pelvic exams. Also, watch for changes in your monthly menstrual cycle, observe symptoms, and contact your doctor in case of adverse events.

Another one of my patients who came to us with a dermoid cyst…
Of course, we removed the cyst using the laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgical technique, allowing our patient to return home safely and recover quickly.

A procedure performed with maximum comfort and in the most reliable hands.
Wishing you continued health, dear İrem — see you at your follow-up visit.

Here we are once again with another young and energetic patient — dear Günel. Getting to this point with her wasn’t easy. Thanks to our minimally invasive surgical technique, we were able to free her from multiple large chocolate cysts that had covered both her right and left ovaries.

Now, all of that is behind us, and my dear patient has turned a brand-new page in her life.

Wishing you a long, healthy, and fulfilling life, dear Günel — may your future be filled with success and happiness.

We removed exactly 13 giant myomas, the largest of which reached 9 cm, with closed surgery. Of course, our work did not end there, there was a tiny myoma in the uterus that was located in the cavity, we cleaned it with hysteroscopy and restored our patient's health.

Today, we are here with our dear patient, Ms. Nurdan. This is the case with closed surgery and uterine removal surgery. My patient is upright in a short time, can do all her work herself, and continues her life as she regained her health quickly.

Another patient of mine who smiles again thanks to closed, that is, laparoscopic surgery. Mrs. Funda, who quickly returned to her health, work, home, and husband and felt as if she had never had an operation.

Last week, our patient had giant myomas, one of which was 25 cm and the other 20 cm. We patiently removed these benign tumors that had become huge in our patient's uterus, protecting the patient's uterus one by one, and finished our surgery cleanly. Our patient also got rid of all the pain she suffered, heavy and days-long bleeding, and the complaint of weakness caused by her anemia.

She applied to our clinic from Gaziantep. For about 15 years, she had many tests, various hormone treatments, surgeries, and applied to many doctors due to her deep chocolate cyst disease, but unfortunately she could not get results, on the contrary, the side effects of these treatments caused her to experience more difficult processes. . We performed deep endometriosis surgery on our patient with the closed surgical technique, we eliminated all the problems that cause pain without overlooking even the smallest details, we eliminated the deep foci that spread to the urinary tract and intestine one by one. Now our patient is extremely healthy, she has recovered, today we have dressed her and removed his stitches.

Surprising us again this time, even my patient's ovary has grown in such a way that it can rotate around itself; We were faced with a huge dermoid cyst. We performed a clean laparoscopic surgery to make my patient smile, who entrusted herself to us with the confidence of being in safe hands, and we saved our patient from this problem.

Dear Simge, after long researches, she found us and came to our clinic from Cyprus There were adenomyotic area, rectovaginal nodule, endometriotic cysts, fibroids and adhesions. We cleaned all of them one by one with the closed surgical method and regained our patient's health.

We performed dermoid cyst surgery, which has grown up to 13 cm in diameter, with the laparoscopic method. Although it has been quite difficult due to the stress factor, the aftermath is quite good. I dressed her, we watched the surgery video, which is the ritual of our clinic, which is the most enjoyable and interesting part because it makes us very happy to show my patients what we did during their surgery and let them see what we saved them from.

We successfully completed a deep chocolate cyst surgery closed with the laparoscopic method. If you ask my patient, yes, she is extremely well, healthy and of course, I am very happy that he got rid of her endometriosis, which causes all the uterus and ovaries to stick together, with closed surgery, and that we preserved her ovaries. We patiently managed this difficult surgery that we performed with my team, and we restored my patient's health.

My dear patient applied to us with the complaint of chocolate cyst, we performed deep endometriosis surgery with laparoscopy for our patient. Because of these cysts, every area including lymph nodes, appendix and ureters was stuck together.

Dear Ms. seniz applied to our clinic from Aydın, yet another image on ultrasound; She is one of my patients with whom I encountered a different picture in the operating room. We finished the operation, which we performed with the closed surgical technique and hysteroscopy, by removing the scar pregnancy defect (Isthmosel) that adhered to the uterus of our patient, and cleaning the placental tissues, leaving a clean uterus and ovaries under the control of hysteroscopy.

We performed the operation of our patient with the closed surgical technique; We cleaned the large fibroid focus located in the middle of her uterus, and left a clean uterus and 2 ovaries to our patient.

With laparoscopy, that is, closed surgery technique, called hydrosalpenx; We cleaned the fluid in the tubes, removed the endometriosis cyst in the right ovary, performed a magnificent surgery and preserved the uterus & ovaries of our patient and left them immaculate.

Don't look at her standing so calm next to me, she came to our clinic with an incredible panic last week, when I saw her so stressed and upset, I quickly took an ultrasound and did her examination. During the examination, we noticed chocolate cysts covering the right and left ovaries, deep endometriosis foci covering the rectum and located in the rectovaginal area, and the adhesions caused by these. Of course, all of these impaired our patient's quality of life, caused severe pain and most importantly made my patient feel psychologically helpless. We cleaned all the masses one by one with the laparoscopic method, removed the cysts, freed the ovaries from deep endometriosis foci, opened the adhesions, in short, we accomplished a lot. Ms. Suzan is doing wonderfully well now. Enjoyable, healthy, happy...

2 beautiful women on my right and left; become aunt & niece. Dear Miss Cansu; We operated with the closed surgical technique in 2015 and saved her uterus from a huge myoma. Now she is extremely well, healthy and she never neglects her controls. This time she brought and entrusted her aunt to us, Ms. Türkan, she applied to my clinic 2 weeks ago. When I examined her, we detected a mass in my patient's uterus and we did the pre-operative anesthesia preparation tests quickly, we took her into surgery. we removed the settled mass; She's healthy now, her pathology is clear, and she's very active as well. The picture was taken only 6 days after the operation.

Our patient, Ayşe, applied to us with a request for a child. I couldn't believe my eyes when I had the first ultrasound examination. Everything that could happen to a uterus and an ovary was present in the image. Many large and small fibroids, chocolate cysts, fluid accumulation in the tubes called hydrosalpenx, adhesions.... We had to start from somewhere and we were ready to do whatever it took without wasting time. First of all, we secured ourselves by accumulating embryos with the in vitro fertilization pooling method (pool technique) due to the low ovarian reserve. Then, with the laparoscopic surgery method, we cleaned the fibroids, cysts, adenomyosis and all adhesions in the uterus and ovaries one by one, down to the smallest detail, and saved the tubes from the fluid in them. Finally, we cleaned the fibroid masses that settled in the uterine cavity with the hysteroscopy procedure we performed before completing the operation, checked the area where we will transfer the baby (endometrium layer) and finished our operation. Of course, we never lost our hope and excitement as we approached the happy ending step by step. Before embryo transfer, we rested the uterus and ovaries for 3 months and applied suppression treatment, and now it's time to reunite our patient with her baby. The positive result after a successful embryo transfer, the happy mother-to-be and the reflection of all this on the face. Yes, the paper held by our patient; First photo of your baby.

Aycan Aydoğan

I had been struggling with ovarian cysts for many years and went through a lot of difficulties because of them. Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ performed my third surgery, and now I truly feel so much better. I was able to return to my daily life quickly and without any problems.

From the very beginning, he gave me such confidence that I agreed to undergo surgery for the third time without hesitation.

I’m very grateful to him — I’m so glad our paths crossed.

Sevda Kaymaz

My name is Sevda Kaymaz. On June 27, 2023, I underwent surgery for fibroids and cysts. In total, 10 fibroids, a chocolate cyst, and a dermoid cyst were removed. The operation lasted 6.5 hours and was very successful. I stayed in the hospital for just one day. At first, I had some pain, but it soon decreased with medication. The nurses were very attentive, and I had complete trust in Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ from the start.

It’s now been a week since my surgery, and by the third day, I was already starting to return to normal life. Tomorrow, I’ll even be able to drive and go back to work. My recovery process has been incredibly fast.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ, his team, his assistant Selda Hanım, and all the nurses at Kent Hospital.
Wishing all patients reading this a speedy recovery.

Zehra Akbulut

My acquaintance with Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ began after my symptoms recurred following my first endometriosis surgery. Although I was confident in his medical expertise, I was quite anxious about having to undergo a second surgery within a year due to the progression of my condition. With his accurate diagnosis and guidance, we planned and completed the surgery within just one week.

If this had been my first operation, I might not have been able to write with such certainty — but I truly did not expect such a comfortable recovery. To give specific examples: even the laparoscopy incisions were smaller, I stopped taking painkillers on the second day, and by the fourth day, I was traveling by car on vacation. I didn’t experience any movement restrictions.

My two biggest fears before surgery were the use of surgical drains and gas pain, but he did not use any drains, and I did not experience shoulder pain from gas either.

I completed this process with gratitude and relief, having lost only four days of my vacation, and I’m filled with joy at being free of the disease and having gone through this journey under the care of such a skilled doctor.

I sincerely hope there will be more professionals as competent and compassionate as him.

Serpil Işık Yıldırım

I am a nurse, and I have been struggling with chocolate cysts (endometriosis) since 2017. I was very afraid of surgery, especially since I had already undergone one operation before and had two C-section deliveries.

Every doctor I visited told me that the adhesions were too severe and that they couldn’t perform the surgery. Then, at Balıkesir City Hospital, my gynecologist Dr. Erol Özdaş recommended Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ. After doing my own research, I decided that he was truly the best option — and I chose to have the surgery with him.

I’m so glad I did. The surgery and the recovery process were both excellent.
Many thanks to Dr. Fatih Şendağ for his skill and care.

Nuriye Güldane Aksu

I had been suffering from pelvic pain for over a year. Even though I visited several doctors, I was told that I didn’t have a cyst and that my pain was due to other issues. For at least 20 days each month, I experienced severe pelvic and body pain — until I met the doctor who finally noticed what others had missed.

Through his guidance, I found Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ. I spoke with his assistant, Ms. Selda, and soon after, I was given a quick appointment for both consultation and surgery — and that decision changed my life.

I was very pleased with the care and attention shown by Dr. Şendağ and his entire team. The postoperative pain was so minimal compared to what I had been enduring before that within 6 hours, I was able to get up and walk, and one week later, most of my pain was gone.

As someone who enjoys walking for hours, I truly believe that pain-free, better days are ahead of me.

Thank you, Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ, and your wonderful team.

Müge Keser Işıkyakar

It’s a wonderful thing to be able to trust someone outside your own family. No one else could have saved me from this illness. I truly believe you have superpowers. Thank you for everything. Here’s to many more years together.

Ekin Bezirganoğlu

Words aren’t enough to express my gratitude — so glad you exist!
With love, your singer who truly appreciates you…

Ebru Savut

I had heard many great reviews about Dr. Fatih Şendağ, which is why I decided to consult him. After listening to his detailed explanation, I was convinced to undergo laparoscopic uterine surgery, and within just a week, I had my operation.

My recovery process was smooth and fast, and Ms. Selda followed up with me closely throughout the entire journey, showing great care and attention. I am deeply grateful to my dear doctor Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ, as well as to the entire surgical team and Ms. Selda for their dedication.

This is a highly specialized procedure that requires exceptional precision, detail, and skill, and I truly couldn’t have entrusted it to anyone else. Dr. Şendağ even showed me the video recording of my surgery, and I was truly impressed.

I entered the operation room anxious and uncertain, but after the surgery, I felt as though I had been reborn.
With all my heart, I am deeply thankful to Dr. Fatih Şendağ.

Ebru Kurt

Hello, I’m E.K. A few months ago, during a routine check-up, I learned that there was a large mass in my uterus. Naturally, I was anxious and scared. I needed surgery and wanted to make sure I chose the best possible doctor. As a healthcare professional, I had many doctor friends who could perform this surgery, but somehow I couldn’t feel fully confident — something was always missing.

After extensive research, I came across Dr. Fatih Şendağ. I immediately traveled to İzmir for a consultation. What had once been a frightening and life-altering diagnosis suddenly became manageable thanks to Dr. Şendağ’s confidence and clear explanations. At that moment, I decided that I would have the surgery as soon as possible — and that Dr. Fatih Şendağ would be my surgeon.

Dr. Şendağ and his assistant, Ms. Selda, are incredibly skilled professionals. Ms. Selda was exceptionally kind and patient; she answered all my questions so thoroughly that I felt as if I had known her for years — like a close friend who truly wanted the best for me.

To anyone experiencing similar issues, my advice is simple: you don’t need to look any further. The very best in this field are Dr. Fatih Şendağ and his nurse, Ms. Selda.

Thank you for everything — I’m so grateful that our paths crossed.
With love,
Ebru

Demet Dadalı

I’m Demet, 42 years old. I had a chocolate cyst (endometrioma) that had been diagnosed 10 years ago. I visited many doctors in Malatya, Adıyaman, Hatay, and Diyarbakır, but all of them told me that they couldn’t perform the surgery. As my pain worsened, my doctor Uğur Değer at Diyarbakır Medical Park Hospital said that only Dr. Fatih Şendağ could perform this operation and referred me here.

I had previously undergone one IVF and one insemination attempt, and my fallopian tubes were removed by surgery two years ago. In March of this year, Dr. Fatih Şendağ performed my surgery. It was a very challenging operation — the cysts were attached to my intestines, bladder, and almost the entire abdominal cavity. The surgery lasted five hours, and it was a complete success.

I have now come for my follow-up appointment and had the chance to watch my surgery together with Dr. Şendağ. I truly believe it was a highly professional and skillful operation.

To all women who have chocolate cysts and are struggling with infertility, I sincerely recommend that you reach out to Dr. Fatih Şendağ without losing time.

Damla Özdoğan

In 2021, I was diagnosed with a 6 cm endometrioma. At just 24 years old, I didn’t want to undergo ovarian surgery. After a full year of searching for the right doctor, a friend of mine from Hatay told me about a highly skilled doctor in İzmir — Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ. She said, “He’s unmatched in laparoscopy and experience.”

A year later, with my cyst having grown to 8 cm, I decided to trust Dr. Fatih Şendağ. He was the doctor who informed me the most, listened to my concerns, and earned my full trust. After the surgery, the 8 cm endometrioma in my left ovary was completely gone, and my ovaries were preserved and healthy. I was finally free from the cyst and the pain it caused — and I still had my ovaries intact.

From now on, Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ is the only gynecologist I will ever go to, and I recommend him wholeheartedly to everyone. He is so humble that he even personally checked my dressings after surgery.

I would like to sincerely thank both Ms. Selda and Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ for their dedication, kindness, and patience.
I hope to meet them again soon with good and happy news.

Cannur Akdemir

Dr. Fatih Şendağ is truly a special person — someone sent by God to help people.

My abdomen had become extremely enlarged, and when I went to the doctor, I was told that I had giant fibroids. Every doctor I visited said that my abdomen looked like I was six months pregnant and that my uterus would need to be removed. My world fell apart — I couldn’t stop crying.

When I met Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ and had my examination, he told me that he could perform the surgery while preserving my uterus and ovaries. I couldn’t believe it — I was so happy. On September 15, I had my operation, and 2 kilograms of giant fibroids were removed without any damage to my uterus or ovaries.

Whatever Dr. Şendağ says, you can trust it completely. He is the one who freed me from a nightmare.
My dear doctor, I love you so much — you are my miracle.

Endless thanks to Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ, his entire team, Mr. Güven, and Ms. Selda, who was always there with her kind support.

Ayşen Uygur

My name is Ayşen Uygur, I am 25 years old.

Around mid-September, I suddenly started experiencing groin pain. The pain was so severe that I took painkillers every time it began, but after realizing it didn’t go away for days, I decided to see a doctor. After consultations and examinations with two different doctors, I was told that it would heal with medication, but my pain did not decrease at all.

After three difficult months, I met Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ, and I’m so glad I did. I was examined by him, and with his valuable insights and extensive experience, he informed me about the surgery. On December 21, my laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery was performed at a private hospital.

It’s been exactly a week since my surgery, and I came to the clinic with a smile on my face. As always, Ms. Selda greeted me cheerfully. I wanted to share this process briefly because I cannot thank Dr. Fatih Şendağ and his team enough.

Although I had surgery, after three painful months, thanks to Dr. Fatih Şendağ, I returned to my comfortable and happy life before the pain.

Many thanks to the whole team.

Burcu Korkmaz

Hello, I’m Burcu.
To briefly summarize how my path crossed with Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ — it all began two years ago with a cyst diagnosis. I visited many different doctors in Aydın, but my persistent pain gradually started to affect my daily life. I later learned that what I had wasn’t just a cyst, but endometriosis. After countless medications, antibiotics, and treatments, one doctor finally told me, “You should see Fatih Şendağ.”

I had previously undergone open surgery and thought everything was over with the diagnosis of endometriosis — but in fact, it was just the beginning. When I met Dr. Şendağ, he explained everything so clearly, positively, and reassuringly during my first examination that I immediately understood the process.

He recommended a laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery, but due to my previous experiences, I was very afraid. However, the whole process went far better than I imagined — it wasn’t scary at all. My doctor, the nurses, and the entire team were incredibly supportive and caring.

I’m writing this just one week after my surgery, and thankfully, I have no pain or discomfort at all. Previously, fear and pain kept me away from doctors — but now I’ve learned that trust is what matters most.

I trust Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ with my eyes closed, and I’m endlessly thankful to him and his amazing team for everything.

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