Abnormal growths on the uterus and ovaries come in multiple forms—and while these growths may seem similar and even produce some of the same symptoms, the differences between them are important for patients to understand when it comes to their reproductive and overall health.
For both ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, a lack of treatment may lead to additional health complications that compromise your reproductive health, and result in infections or other serious health concerns. Each type of growth can be managed through monitoring and treatment by a reproductive health specialist.
The Difference Between an Ovarian Cyst and Fibroid
These growths may sound familiar, even to someone who hasn’t experienced them personally, but cysts and fibroids have very different characteristics. Fibroids develop on the uterus while cysts are specific to the ovaries. The composition of these growths also sets them apart from one another: cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the outside of the ovary, while fibroids are noncancerous masses that may develop inside or outside the uterine wall.
Most women develop both ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids at some point in their lives. Many women may not be aware that a cyst or fibroid has developed in their abdomen, unless they develop symptoms or have imaging conducted to evaluate their uterus or ovaries. These growths are often minor concerns that don’t affect reproductive health in a meaningful way, but they can lead to serious complications that require more aggressive medical interventions.
Is There a Difference Between a Cyst and a Tumor?
One key difference between a cyst and a fibroid is that a fibroid is technically classified as a benign tumorous growth. The fluid-filled composition of cysts, on the other hand, is distinct from cancerous or noncancerous tumors that may develop on your ovaries.
In some women who have already gone through menopause, an ovarian cystic mass can sometimes develop into a malignant cancer growth. Another type of ovarian cyst, called a dermoid cyst, can also become cancerous in rare situations. Regular pelvic exams can help monitor for these growths and identify fibroids or cysts that may be cancerous.
Causes of an Ovarian Cyst vs Fibroid
Ovarian cysts are typically a byproduct of a woman’s menstrual cycle. They may also be attributed to the faulty function of an ovarian follicle, or another abnormality of the ovary’s functioning. Hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, endometriosis, and a prior history of ovarian cysts can also increase your likelihood of developing cysts in the future.
The causes of uterine fibroids are less clear, but similarly associated with hormonal changes or imbalances, including the hormone production that occurs during pregnancy. Genetic changes may also be a factor.
Treatment Options for a Fibroid vs Cyst
Many ovarian cysts go away on their own, so reproductive health specialists typically take a wait-and-see approach—especially if you aren’t experiencing symptoms or complications from these growths. Your doctor will likely continue to monitor the ovarian cyst to make sure it doesn’t run the risk of causing complications to your health.
If treatment is necessary, you might be prescribed medications to block the production of additional ovarian cysts that could create or exacerbate symptoms and complications. Cysts can only be removed through a surgical procedure, which might require removing the entire ovary. For this reason, surgical removal of ovarian cysts is viewed as a last resort.
Traditionally, uterine fibroids could also only be removed through a surgical procedure, although medications may be used to shrink the size. In some cases, severe fibroids have required patients to undergo a partial or full hysterectomy. Recently, however, an innovative treatment called the Acessa procedure has been developed to provide a viable treatment option that spares patients of undergoing a hysterectomy by focusing treatment directly on the fibroids themselves, preserving the health and functioning of the uterus.
If patients are a good match for the Acessa procedure, the benefits are often preferable to the consequences of a partial or full hysterectomy. Compared to the long recovery involved in a hysterectomy, an Acessa procedure can get women back to work within three to five days. It also preserves a woman’s ability to have children if they’re of childbearing age and can increase a woman’s openness to fibroid treatment by eliminating the risk of hysterectomy that sometimes discourages patients from seeking treatment for uterine fibroids.
If you believe you’re experiencing health complications or have a history of either ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids, connect with a reproductive specialist who can evaluate the growths, monitor their development, and recommend treatments that prioritize your long-term health and quality of life.
Abnormal growths on the uterus and ovaries come in multiple forms—and while these growths may seem similar and even produce some of the same symptoms, the differences between them are important for patients to understand when it comes to their reproductive and overall health.
For both ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, a lack of treatment may lead to additional health complications that compromise your reproductive health, and result in infections or other serious health concerns. Each type of growth can be managed through monitoring and treatment by a reproductive health specialist.
The Difference Between an Ovarian Cyst and Fibroid
These growths may sound familiar, even to someone who hasn’t experienced them personally, but cysts and fibroids have very different characteristics. Fibroids develop on the uterus while cysts are specific to the ovaries. The composition of these growths also sets them apart from one another: cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the outside of the ovary, while fibroids are noncancerous masses that may develop inside or outside the uterine wall.
Most women develop both ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids at some point in their lives. Many women may not be aware that a cyst or fibroid has developed in their abdomen, unless they develop symptoms or have imaging conducted to evaluate their uterus or ovaries. These growths are often minor concerns that don’t affect reproductive health in a meaningful way, but they can lead to serious complications that require more aggressive medical interventions.
Is There a Difference Between a Cyst and a Tumor?
One key difference between a cyst and a fibroid is that a fibroid is technically classified as a benign tumorous growth. The fluid-filled composition of cysts, on the other hand, is distinct from cancerous or noncancerous tumors that may develop on your ovaries.
In some women who have already gone through menopause, an ovarian cystic mass can sometimes develop into a malignant cancer growth. Another type of ovarian cyst, called a dermoid cyst, can also become cancerous in rare situations. Regular pelvic exams can help monitor for these growths and identify fibroids or cysts that may be cancerous.
Causes of an Ovarian Cyst vs Fibroid
Ovarian cysts are typically a byproduct of a woman’s menstrual cycle. They may also be attributed to the faulty function of an ovarian follicle, or another abnormality of the ovary’s functioning. Hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, endometriosis, and a prior history of ovarian cysts can also increase your likelihood of developing cysts in the future.
The causes of uterine fibroids are less clear, but similarly associated with hormonal changes or imbalances, including the hormone production that occurs during pregnancy. Genetic changes may also be a factor.
Treatment Options for a Fibroid vs Cyst
Many ovarian cysts go away on their own, so reproductive health specialists typically take a wait-and-see approach—especially if you aren’t experiencing symptoms or complications from these growths. Your doctor will likely continue to monitor the ovarian cyst to make sure it doesn’t run the risk of causing complications to your health.
If treatment is necessary, you might be prescribed medications to block the production of additional ovarian cysts that could create or exacerbate symptoms and complications. Cysts can only be removed through a surgical procedure, which might require removing the entire ovary. For this reason, surgical removal of ovarian cysts is viewed as a last resort.
Traditionally, uterine fibroids could also only be removed through a surgical procedure, although medications may be used to shrink the size. In some cases, severe fibroids have required patients to undergo a partial or full hysterectomy. Recently, however, an innovative treatment called the Acessa procedure has been developed to provide a viable treatment option that spares patients of undergoing a hysterectomy by focusing treatment directly on the fibroids themselves, preserving the health and functioning of the uterus.
If patients are a good match for the Acessa procedure, the benefits are often preferable to the consequences of a partial or full hysterectomy. Compared to the long recovery involved in a hysterectomy, an Acessa procedure can get women back to work within three to five days. It also preserves a woman’s ability to have children if they’re of childbearing age and can increase a woman’s openness to fibroid treatment by eliminating the risk of hysterectomy that sometimes discourages patients from seeking treatment for uterine fibroids.
If you believe you’re experiencing health complications or have a history of either ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids, connect with a reproductive specialist who can evaluate the growths, monitor their development, and recommend treatments that prioritize your long-term health and quality of life.