Ovarian cysts are simply fluid-filled sacs on, or within, the ovaries. Though they might not come up in conversation, they’re actually very common?many, if not most, women will experience a cyst at some point during their lives. But not all ovarian cysts are the same?while some are harmless, others can affect your ability to get pregnant. Here?s what you need to know.
Functional cysts

?Functional cysts are the most common type and they form during a normal menstrual cycle,? says Danielle Derrington, head of service family medicine obstetrics at St. Joseph?s Healthcare in Hamilton, Ont. Every month, your body grows a cyst-like structure, called a follicle, in which an egg develops. When the egg is released, the follicle should break down on its own, but sometimes it keeps growing and filling with fluid, forming a functional cyst. These cysts are typically harmless, rarely cause symptoms and should resolve on their own within a few menstrual cycles. However, they can contribute to infertility if they grow very large. Symptomatic cysts

There are three other types of cysts that are unrelated to the menstrual cycle, and are more likely to cause pain or other uncomfortable symptoms. Dermoid cysts can contain human bone fragments, tissue, hair and even teeth (this happens because they develop from the cells that create ova). They sound scary, but they are usually benign. Cystadenomas, meanwhile, are fluid- or mucus-filled sacs that develop out of ovarian tissue. In some...