Functional Ovarian Cysts

What Happens

Most functional ovarian cysts cause no symptoms and go away after 1 to 2 menstrual periods. Some cysts grow as large as 4 in. (10.2 cm) in diameter before they shrink or rupture. They don't cause ovarian cancer.

When to Call a Doctor

Call your doctor now if you have:

• Sudden, severe pelvic pain with nausea or vomiting.
• Severe vaginal bleedingvaginal bleeding.
• Sudden faintness or weakness.
• Sudden dizziness with belly discomfort that lasts for 2 hours or longer.

Call your doctor for an appointment if:

• Pain interferes with your daily activities.
• Your periods have changed from relatively pain-free to painful during the past 3 to 6 months.
• Your periods have changed from regular to infrequent during the past 3 to 6 months and you aren't nearing menopausemenopause.
• You have pain during sexual intercourse.

Watchful waiting

Most functional ovarian cysts are harmless, don't cause symptoms, and go away without treatment. Watchful waitingWatchful waiting is usually okay if you are diagnosed with a functional ovarian cyst.

Check your symptoms

Exams and Tests

If you see your doctor for pelvic pain or bleeding, you'll be checked for problems that may be causing your symptoms. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and menstrual periods.

Your doctor may find an ovarian cyst during a pelvic exampelvic exam. You may have a pelvic ultrasoundultrasound to see if the cyst is filled with fluid.

Your doctor may recommend further testing in some cases, such as when the first ultrasound doesn't clearly show what kind of cyst or growth you have. Or other tests may be done if you have moderate to severe pain or vaginal bleeding.

What do ovarian cysts look like on ultrasound?

Image courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho.

Figure 1 shows small normal-sized cysts. Figure 2 shows large cysts that affect the ovary and may cause pain.

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Treatment Overview

Most functional ovarian cysts go away without treatment. When treatment is needed, the goals are to:

• Relieve pelvic pain or pressure.
• Prevent more cysts from forming.

Home treatment with heat and pain medicine can often relieve symptoms.

Treatment with medicines or surgery may be used for a cyst that doesn't go away, looks odd on an ultrasoundultrasound, or causes symptoms.

Your doctor may suggest that you try birth control pills for several months. They prevent ovulationovulation. This can stop more cysts from forming.

Surgery to remove the cyst (cystectomy) through a small incision (laparoscopylaparoscopy) may be done. This is done if a painful cyst doesn't go away with treatment. If a cyst looks odd on an ultrasound or if you have other risk factors for ovarian cancerovarian cancer, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the cyst through a larger belly incision (laparotomylaparotomy).

Self-Care

• Use heat, such as a hot water bottle, a heating pad set on low, or a warm bath, to relax tense muscles and relieve cramping.
• Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• Avoid constipation. Make sure you drink enough fluids and include fruits, vegetables, and fiber in your diet each day. Constipation does not cause ovarian cysts, but it may make you feel more uncomfortable.

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