Several gynecologists say cases of ovarian cysts among women and girls in Afghanistan have recently risen. They cite a lack of awareness, disregard for symptoms, and reliance on unsupervised treatments and traditional remedies as key factors behind the increase and the delays in diagnosis and treatment. According to the doctors, some women wait to visit health centers until the disease has progressed and treatment has become more difficult. They urge women to seek care at health centers if they notice symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, bloating, irregular periods, nausea, abnormal bleeding, or leg pain, and to avoid treating themselves.
Speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, these doctors say most ovarian cysts pose no serious risk and often resolve without specific treatment. Certain types, however, can cause serious complications if they progress without proper care. They stress that public awareness, medical consultation, and timely visits to health centers are key to early diagnosis and effective treatment.
Benafsha Arifi, one of the gynecologists, says the number of women and girls with ovarian cysts seeking treatment has recently grown. Functional cysts, she notes, are among the most common types in women of reproductive age and often disappear without specific treatment. But a cyst that persists for several menstrual cycles, grows larger, or causes severe pain and fever requires medical evaluation and treatment, she says.
“The most common cysts are functional cysts, which develop in women of reproductive age,” Arifi says. “In most cases, they aren’t a cause for concern and resolve on their own. They become a problem when an infection sets in or when the cyst persists and grows for a long time. If a girl or woman has severe pain, develops a fever, or the cyst remains after several cycles or grows past four to five centimeters, she should see a doctor.”
Stress, poor nutrition, hormonal changes, inactivity, and certain medications can indirectly disrupt ovulation and worsen cyst-related problems, Arifi adds.
“If a period is delayed, bleeding becomes heavier than usual, or a woman feels heaviness and severe pain on either side of her abdomen, she should see a doctor and use the health services available to her,” she says. “Women without access to a doctor can ease pain temporarily with simple measures, such as drinking enough warm salted fluids and resting, but these don’t replace medical diagnosis and treatment. What matters is that women don’t ignore the symptoms and reach a health center as soon as they can.”
Masiha Fakhryar, another gynecologist, says treatment depends on the type and condition of the cyst, and not every case needs it. Some functional cysts disappear on their own within six to eight weeks, she says, and in those cases medical follow-up alone is usually enough. Cysts that persist, including endometriomas, need regular monitoring and treatment when necessary, according to Fakhryar.
“Lifestyle isn’t a direct cause of ovarian cysts,” Fakhryar says, “but factors like poor nutrition, stress, and inactivity can indirectly affect hormonal balance and ovulation, creating conditions that allow certain cysts to form. Some functional cysts disappear on their own and need no treatment, but persistent ones, like endometriomas, should be checked regularly by a doctor and treated when necessary.”
Najmussama, another gynecologist, says economic hardship, women’s reluctance to seek care early out of embarrassment, and a shortage of specialists are among the biggest obstacles to diagnosing and treating ovarian cysts in Afghanistan. Ovarian cysts can occur in women from puberty through the end of their reproductive years, she says, and many women are diagnosed late because they lack awareness or access to health services. Lower abdominal pain and irregular periods are common symptoms, she notes, and a twisted cyst can bring on severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
“Ovarian cysts appear at every age, from puberty until periods end,” Najmussama says. “Lower abdominal pain and irregular periods are among the symptoms, and if a cyst twists, it can also cause severe pain, nausea, and vomiting. One of our problems in Afghanistan is that many people can’t afford to see a doctor, and some women delay out of embarrassment. On top of that, the shortage of specialists and health workers able to diagnose this condition means some cases go undiagnosed for a long time.”
Meanwhile, several women who have had ovarian cysts say ignoring symptoms and delaying medical visits made diagnosis and treatment harder.
Zarmina, who recently had surgery for an ovarian cyst, says she traveled from Ghazni to Kabul for treatment. Despite repeated visits to doctors and midwives for weakness and bleeding, she says her condition went undiagnosed for a long time, and her cyst kept growing. Continuing treatment without an accurate diagnosis, she says, meant that after about two years she needed surgery.
“I would get very weak and had bleeding,” Zarmina says. “I went to the public hospital and saw several midwives, and they gave me tonics and medicine to stop the bleeding, but nothing worked. Every time I grew weak, I’d go to the hospital, and they’d put me on an IV. This went on for about two years, until a neighbor told me to go to Kabul for treatment. When I got to Ali Sina Hospital, the doctors said I had a cyst on my ovary and needed surgery. When the doctor looked at my old prescriptions, he said that if the condition had been caught in time, it might not have come to this.”
Ovarian cysts have recently become more widespread, largely due to a lack of awareness among women, and the condition forms inside or on the ovary. Though not considered dangerous, if left untreated in time,e it can lead to infertility and cancer.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
افزایش کیست تخمدان؛ پزشکان بر مراجعه بهموقع زنان تاکید دارند
