Snack 71: Exor-Cyst: Demystifying the Common Ovarian Cyst

The Whole Pineapple

Q: What is a cyst?

A: It’s a pocket of fluid.

Q: Why do I have cysts?

A: Because you have ovaries.

Q: Is it bad?

A: Great question. Let’s talk.

Not all cysts are bad news. In fact, bodies with ovaries generate cysts pretty regularly as part of the menstrual cycle. For example, what you see on an ultrasound isn’t the egg; the egg is inside a “follicular cyst,” which is what’s big enough to see and measure on an ultrasound.

As you listen to the episode, you’ll hear about “functional” cysts that have a job to do and are good things to have. So if you hear the word “cyst,” that’s not necessarily cause for alarm.

That confusion is what this episode is all about — there are different kinds of cysts, some good, some less positive — and knowing what kinds of cysts there are and what they do can help you know what’s happening in your body.

In this episode, Ruby and Anne talk about:

1. Different kinds of cysts
2. What you can do about them (if they need something done)
3. Symptoms of cysts
4. What impact cysts can have on your cycle, fertility, and fertility treatments
5. What you or your doc might see on an ultrasound and what that might mean
6. What a “dermoid” cyst is and why it’s … wow. You’ll just have to listen.
7. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

The good news is, cysts are largely benign. They can cause some issues, but if you get a diagnosis of a cyst, it’s time to ask more questions, not to panic!

Have a listen, then pass the episode along to others with ovaries — it’s such important information for everyone to know! To hear more from Ruby and Anne, check out thewholepineapple.com. Please rate and review, to make the podcast easier to find for others!