Treatment
Treatment depends on:
- Age
- Menstrual status
- Size and type of cyst
- Symptoms
The main types of treatment are:
Wait and See
The doctor waits a few months to see if the cyst goes away on its own.
Medication
Birth Control Pills
If you have a functional cyst, your doctor may prescribe birth control pills . The pills may prevent other cysts from developing during the "wait and see" period. If you get cysts often, birth control pills decrease the chance of new ones forming.
Pain Medication
If your cyst is causing a lot of discomfort, your doctor may prescribe pain medication.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Pelvic laparoscopy may be recommended to remove a cyst if it:
- Grows larger or reaches a size greater than two inches
- Has some solid material in it, or other features
- Causes persistent or worsening symptoms
- Lasts longer than two or three menstrual cycles
- Disrupts blood flow
If the cyst is not cancerous, often just the cyst can be removed. However, in some cases, your whole ovary may need to be removed. If the cyst is cancerous, you may have both ovaries and uterus removed. This requires an open surgical procedure .
If you are diagnosed with an ovarian cyst, follow your doctor's instructions .
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
More Ovarian Cysts Information
Improved
479 HealthChanged
215 LivesSaved
160 LivesPopular this Week
- What possible side effects of removing 1 ovary? Or should I have both removed? 221 reads 10 comments
- What to Do when an Ovarian Cyst Ruptures 213 reads 0 comments
- Meet Natazia: A New Birth Control Pill You'll Want To Know 147 reads 5 comments
- Do Ovarian Cysts Go Away on Their Own? 14 reads 0 comments
Connect with Women Like You 95 Women Care About this Condition
You're not alone. Connect with other women who are going through what you're going through, who understand and are here for you!
+ Join this Community
