Ovarian Cysts Treatments

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 © 2025 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.