Abstract

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets in an ovary or on its surface .Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that may be simple or complex. It is one of the most common gynecological problem in women at the reproductive age subjecting that its knowledge and perception among women worldwide is unknown .The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and prevalence of ovarian cyst amongst women of child bearing age at the Solidarity Clinic Buea.

A cross sectional analytical study design to retrospectively collect data from January 2018-January 2022 was adopted .A total of 300 records of women of child bearing age was collected to get the prevalence .Out of the 300women, 144 had ovarian cyst giving a prevalence of   46.6 %and 156  (53.3%) did not have ovarian cyst .

In conclusion, early diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cyst is necessary to avoid the complications of ovarian cyst.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Ovary is one of the pair of reproductive glands in women. The ovaries produce egg and female hormones which are estrogen and progesterone. Ovaries also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Ovarian cyst is the formation of the sac that filled by tissue, fluid or other substances (Fletcher, 2018) and can be classified as either functional ovarian cysts or ovarian cystic neoplasm. The most common functional ovarian cysts are follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts which develop as a result of ovulation. In addition, functional ovarian cysts are one of the factors that contribute to the infertility among women (Almas et al., 2015).

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets in an ovary or on its surface .Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that may be simple or complex. They are common findings that are usually discovered incidentally on physical examination or imaging.

Ovarian cysts can be complicated by rupture, hemorrhage, and torsion, which are considered gynecological emergencies. Therefore, it is essential to promptly diagnose and treat them to avoid high morbidity and mortality. Women have two ovaries each about the size and shape of an almond on each side of the uterus. Eggs (ova), which develop and mature in the ovaries, are released in monthly cycles during the childbearing years. Many women have ovarian cysts at some time.

Most ovarian cysts present little or no discomfort and are harmless. The majority disappears without treatment within a few months. However, ovarian cysts especially those that have ruptured can cause serious symptoms. To protect your health, get regular pelvic exams and know the symptoms that can signal a potentially serious problem.

Generally, the main cause of the ovarian cyst is the changes of hormone in the women’s body. There are several risk factors that can lead to hormonal changes such as infertility treatment, pregnant women, hypothyroidism, maternal gonadotropins, smoking and tubal ligation (Grabosch, 2017).

Furthermore, most ovarian cyst manifests with few or mild nonspecific symptoms. If it’s at early stages, ovarian cyst usually has no specific symptoms such as some women may experience bloating but some may be suffered from severe pelvic pain and constipation. These conditions are often thought to be due to common intestinal problems and unfortunately not given the attention it deserves (Prakash et al., 2004).

PREVALENCE

Prevalence is the proportion of a particular population found to be affected by a medical condition (typically a disease or a risk factor such as smoking or seatbelt use) at a specific time (“Prevalence statistics 2015).

Many patients suffering from ovarian cyst are believed to be asymptomatic and undiagnosed. The actual prevalence of ovarian cysts is unknown, and the prevalence depends on the population studied.

Approximately 4% of women will be admitted to the hospital for ovarian cysts by age 65.  In a random sample of 335 asymptomatic 24-40-year-old women, the prevalence of an adnexal lesion was 7.8%. Another study that examined ovarian cysts in postmenopausal women showed a prevalence of 2.5% for a simple unilocular adnexal cyst.  In a survey of 33,739 premenopausal and postmenopausal women, 46.7% had an adnexal cyst on transvaginal ultrasound, with 63.2% showing resolution of the abnormality on subsequent ultrasounds. (Pavlik et al., 2013).

In postmenopausal women, 18% can develop one or more Graffian follicles, which appear as cysts on imaging. (Schmelrt et al., 2005). Most of these cysts are benign. Mature cystic teratomas or dermoids represent more than 10% of all ovarian neoplasms. Ovarian cysts are the most common tumor in infants and fetuses, with more than 30% prevalence. (Kwak et al., 2005).  In the United States, ovarian carcinomas are diagnosed in more than 21000 women per year, causing 14,600 deaths.

Ovarian cysts are found in 7.8% of asymptomatic fertile aged women. Post –menopausal women exhibit a prevalence of 2.5 to 18%   . An ovarian cyst is dectected either as an incidental finding, in ultrasonography performed for lower abdominal pain, or basis of a suspicious finding in the pelvic examination .With easy availability of ultrasonography, asymptomatic ovarian cyst are detected in an increasing number. Most cysts are benign and often vanish spontaneously. Therefore, in the absence os suspected malignancy or harmful symptoms, it is unnecessary to expose the woman to the risks of the operation.(Kuivasaari et al.,2011)

The high- resolution ultrasound has taken to discover small ovary cysts in post-menopausal asymptomatic women who in another situation would not be detected; these cysts frequently disappear spontaneously and rarely develop cancer; however they are treated aggressively.(Querleu and Parmentier 1992) . High resolution transvaginal ultrasound frequently reveals incidental simple ovarian cysts in asymptomatic postmenopausal women.

1.2 Problem Statement

Many women are suffering from ovarian cyst without knowledge because it is asymptomatic and they are undiagnosed and therefore, there is a need to investigate it’s prevalence amongst them.

1.3 Hypothesis

There is a low prevalence of ovarian cyst as diagnosed by ultrasound amongst women of child bearing age attending SOLIDARITY CLINIC, BUEA.

1.4 Objectives

 1.4.1 General Objective

To assess the occurrence  of ovarian cyst as diagnosed with ultrasound among women of child bearing age who came for a pelvic and or abdomino-pelvic ultrasound scan at the echography unit at SOLIDARITY CLINIC, BUEA.

1.5 Specific Objectives

1. To assess the prevalence of ovarian cyst among women of child bearing   age at the  SOLIDARITY CLINIC BUEA
2. To assess the occurrence of each type of ovarian cyst among women of childbearing age at the SOLIDARITY CLINIC BUEA.
3. To get the frequency of the various types of ovarian cysts among women of childbearing age at  the SOLIDARITY CLINIC BUEA

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