Stomach Cyst

A Guide to Understanding a Stomach Cyst

A stomach cyst is a sac filled with fluid. Although cysts can grow virtually anywhere on the body, they are commonly found in women on one or both ovaries. A stomach cyst can also be a number of different types, with the most common being a functional cyst, also found on the ovary. Typically, this type of cyst forms during a woman’s menstrual cycle and is broken down as two specific types, as outlined below:

Follicle Cyst - The first type of functional stomach cyst includes the follicle cyst, which is when the fluid-filled sac does not open to allow the egg to be released and while the cyst would continue growing, it usually disappears on its own in about two to three months.

Corpus Luteum Cyst - The second type is the Corpus Luteum cyst, which would not dissolve and disappear on its own. Instead, once the egg from the ovary is released, the sac becomes sealed and fluid builds. In fact, this type of functional stomach cyst can easily grow as large as four inches, which is painful and some will bleed.

A stomach cyst can also be other types that are not as common. Some of these include:

Endometriomas – Found in women, this type of stomach cyst forms when tissue that resembles and behaves the same way as the lining of the uterus begins to grow outside the uterus. In this case, the tissue could produce a growth or attach to the ovary. During intercourse, this type of cyst creates a tremendous amount of pain.

Cystadenomas – In this case, the stomach cyst forms from cells, which are found on the surface of the ovary. This cyst is usually filled with a yellowish, sticky gel or fluid much like water. This cyst can also be painful and it can grow quite large.

Dermoid – For this stomach cyst, several different kinds of cells are involved. The Dermoid cyst may or may not be filled with teeth, hair, and tissue, which actually become a part of the cyst and in most cases this cyst is painful and grows large.

Polycystic – A stomach cyst such as this occurs when matured eggs inside the sacs do not release. Each menstrual cycle, this process is repeated, which causes the sac to continue growing and multiplying.

No matter the type of stomach cyst affecting the ovaries, numerous symptoms are common. For instance, a woman would likely have abdominal pain, swelling, and pressure, lower back, pelvic, and thigh pain, difficulty with urination, trouble having intercourse, and sometimes, abnormal menstrual bleeding. Other symptoms sometimes seen with a stomach cyst includes weight gain, tender breasts, and even nausea and/or vomiting.

Usually, a stomach cyst is non-life threatening as in the case of cancer but if any of these symptoms worsen or do not go away within a few days, it would be important to contact a doctor. That way, something more serious than a monthly stomach cyst could be ruled out.