Treatment for Ovarian Cysts

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on or inside an ovary. The ovaries are a pair of small, oval-shaped organs in the lower part of a woman’s belly (abdomen). About once a month, one of the ovaries releases an egg. The ovaries also make the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are part of pregnancy, the menstrual cycle and breast growth.

Ovarian cysts are very common in women of all ages but are unusual in women who have reached menopause. Young girls can also get them, but this is less common. There are different types of ovarian cysts. They can occur for various reasons, and they may need different treatments. A cyst can vary in size from half an inch to more than 4 inches.

Types of treatment

Treatment for an ovarian cyst will depend on the type of cyst, your age and your general health. Most women will not need treatment. You may be told to watch your symptoms over time. An ovarian cyst will often go away with no treatment in a few weeks or months.

In some cases, you may need to have follow-up ultrasound tests. These are to check if your cyst has gone away or is not growing. You may not need any other treatment.

If your ultrasound or blood tests show signs of cancer, your healthcare provider may advise surgery. This is done to remove part or all of your ovary. Your healthcare provider might also advise surgery if:

• Your cyst causes ongoing pressure or pain
• Your cyst appears to be growing
• You have a very large cyst
• You have endometriosis and want the cyst removed to help with fertility

Can an ovarian cyst be prevented?

If you have hormone problems, your healthcare provider may advise taking birth control pills. These may help prevent ovarian cysts. Taking antibiotics for a pelvic infection may also prevent a cyst.

Possible complications of an ovarian cyst

An ovarian cyst can sometimes break open (rupture). This may not cause any symptoms, but it may cause sudden, sharp pain in the lower belly. A ruptured cyst can cause a lot of blood and fluid loss. This can lead to low blood pressure and in some cases, surgery may be needed.

An ovarian cyst can also cause twisting (torsion) of the fallopian tube but this is rare. Torsion can block normal blood supply to the ovary and can lead to sudden pain and emergency surgery.