Physiological cysts

[jvg69]

Hello all

Out of interest would an endorsed cyst on an ovary look the same as a physiological cyst unless it was actively bleeding at that moment?

Had an ultrasound and rather confused!

Thanks for any advice x

[jvg69]

Endo! Not endorsed !

[Chopples]

Hi jvg69

Basically no, an endometrioma (endometriotic cyst/chocolate cyst) and a physiological cyst look completely different on ultrasound. There is another type of cyst called a haemorrhagic cyst, which is where the cyst started out as a simple physiological cyst but has had a bleed into itself. They normally resolve after a few menstrual cycles but can cause pain depending on their size and if they happen to rupture - most will spontaneously resolve without rupture. These are usually physiological and any female of reproductive age can get them. Depending on how old a haemorrhagic cyst is, it can sometimes on ultrasound appear similar to an endometrioma. However, where a haemorrhagic cyst typically resolves in a few months, an endometrioma will not. Only ladies with endometriosis can develop endometriomas and can have all 3 'cysts' at the same time, although rare.

[Chopples in reply to Chopples]

Forgot to add - a haemorrhagic cyst will change in appearance if it is scanned several times in the course of usually a few cycles as it resolves. An endometrioma will not, it will just increase in size.

[jvg69]

Oh that is very helpful thanks so much Chopples. Appreciate that really x