Ovarian Cysts

About Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cyst is a swelling on the ovary. 

It can be a normal finding on ultrasound or can reflect something more concerning.  When ovulation arises the ovary forms a small cyst called a corpus luteum, which slowly resolves during the menstrual cycle without any treatment.

There are many other different types of ovarian cysts, these include endometriomas, cystadenomas, and fibromas. 

What symptoms do they cause?

Some women can be asymptomatic, but other symptoms include abdominal or pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, pressure symptoms or bloating. 

More information about Ovarian Cysts

What investigations do we use to determine what type of cyst they are?

We use different strategies to determine the underlying cause of a cyst. 

This can include the appearance on an ultrasound, the menopausal status of the patient and the ca-125 level. 

Ca-125 is a blood marker which is raised in ovarian cancer, and in some other benign non-cancerous conditions such as endometriosis.

What are the treatment options?

Ovarian cysts can be managed by:

  1. Observation -  as the majority of ovarian cysts are normal, many resolve by observation over a period of several weeks.  The progress will normally be observed by ultrasound.

  2. Surgery – surgical intervention is required if there are significant symptoms such as pain or any suspicion of abnormality.  In general, this surgery aims to remove the cyst and leave the normal part of the ovary behind.  Occasionally the entire ovary and sometimes the fallopian tube need to be removed.  Surgery can be performed via laparoscopy, robotic surgery or if very large via laparotomy (open surgery).  About 10% of women will undergo surgery for an ovarian cyst in their lifetime.