Peritoneal cysts can occur in women approaching menopause and can cause bloating and pain. They can be caused by injury, sexually transmitted diseases, or endometriosis. Treatment options include medication, drainage, or surgery. Diagnosis requires imaging and ruling out malignant cancer. Peritoneal cysts are not considered dangerous but can cause infertility.
A peritoneal cyst is a cyst that forms on a woman’s abdomen or pelvic region. This condition typically occurs in women approaching menopause. These types of cysts can vary in size and can be anywhere from very small cysts to enlarged masses. Although these cysts can differentiate and change shape, they are usually not malignant.
The cyst can develop for several reasons. An injury to the pelvic region can produce a cyst. A history of sexually transmitted diseases or pelvic inflammatory disease can also increase a woman’s risk of peritoneal cysts. Endometriosis is a condition that produces non-cancerous growths and lesions throughout the abdomen, which may be accompanied by a cyst.
The cysts themselves can cause symptoms that make it easier to recognize the disease. Some of the symptoms of a peritoneal cyst are a bloated feeling in the lower abdomen accompanied by mild to severe pain. The peritoneal absorbs body fluids to produce ovarian fluid. If the cyst forms due to an injury, there may not be as much ovarian fluid present. This is another factor in diagnosing one of these cysts. Occasionally, a lump may be felt directly under the skin.
There are surgical and medical treatments available for these types of cysts. Treatment will depend on the severity of the pain and swelling surrounding the abdominal area. If the symptoms are not severe, a gynecologist can prescribe an oral contraceptive to eliminate discomfort and pain. When these cysts fill with fluid, a drainage procedure may be used. Surgery can also be done to remove the cysts, but sometimes this isn’t a permanent solution because they have a tendency to re-develop.
An X-ray and ultrasound are important when diagnosing a peritoneal cyst. Some medical conditions have similar symptoms and may even look the same. These similar conditions include some cancers and endometriosis. To identify the disease, imaging and symptoms must match the criteria. Any form of life-threatening and malignant cancer must be ruled out before any treatment can be administered.
These types of cysts are not considered dangerous. Several treatment options can be used without any urgency. Peritoneal cysts, however, can cause infertility in women of reproductive age.
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