Is There An Irritable Bowel Syndrome Ovarian Cyst Connection?

Understandably, there is a lot of concern among patients and physicians alike as they try to determine the mystery surrounding an irritable bowel syndrome ovarian cyst link. It is already a known fact that women are three times more likely to be effected by irritable bowel syndrome than men, but it would not be safe to say that the syndrome is the cause of development of ovarian cysts.

Irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease and has not been proven to lead to other diseases or physical conditions. However, some existing factors may connect both. Knowledge of these can put people a step forward in identifying the real cause and symptoms of the syndrome.

The colon, which is essentially the large intestine is around six feet in length and links the small intestine with the rectum and anus. It plays an important role in transiting waste from the stomach toward successful evacuation.

It primarily absorbs or adds water from digested matter after it is expelled from the stomach. The muscles will then contract to transport the matter through the intestines. Hormones and nerve impulses trigger the muscular contractions.

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However, irritable bowel syndrome patients have hypersensitive colons, which may stem from the disorder itself, or from trigger foods that aggravate the symptoms. This hypersensitivity causes the intestinal muscles to contract intensely and frequently which leads to abdominal cramping and diarrhea. A common irritable bowel syndrome symptom, abdominal bloating causes the bowel to swell and distend which can be very painful for the patientâ€'s hypersensitive nerve endings located near the area.

The connection between irritable bowel syndrome and ovarian cyst development can be well explained by alterations in colon function. Since ovarian cysts form from changes in the process of egg production by the ovaries, it is considered a functional disorder just like the intestinal syndrome. The problem does not lie in any structural abnormality.

One potential link between ovarian cysts and irritable bowel is as follows. During irritable bowel syndrome, there is colon dysfunction so the intense contractions in the long term may eventually lead to tissue stretching in the intestines which can affect the ovaries.

If the stretching continues over a long period of time, scarring can result not only in the intestinal walls but also to the nearby organs that the distension comes into contact with like the kidneys, the ovaries and the appendix. This scaring of cells may form ovarian cysts and even other types of tissue anomalies.

The irritable bowel syndrome ovarian cyst link is debatable, even though the exact cause of IBS is unknown. Evidence does show that the development of the cyst and the dysfunction in ovary production of egg cells may have been impacted by the symptoms of the intestinal condition. Both conditions are chronic in nature and it is highly recommended that any symptoms should lead you to discussing the problems with your doctor.