Understanding Ovarian Cysts

What is an ovarian cyst? It's a fluid-filled cyst on your ovary. The cyst is like a small sac that may bulge out and could be uncomfortable. Many women have ovarian cysts and don't notice them, a few months later they disappear without any harm done. For other women who have cysts there is pain and discomfort. Ovarian cysts usually occur because of ovulation which generally happens once a month (when an egg is released from the ovary). Sometimes birth control pills or other methods that stop ovulation will stop cysts from being formed. Most times the cyst will begin to shrink on its own and you will likely be checked by your doctor to make sure it is getting smaller or has already disappeared.

If you have gone thru menopause or are not ovulating for any reason and you end up with a cyst it is important to have this evaluated by your health care provider and possibly get a sonogram (ultrasound) done. This procedure is painless and lasts about 20 minutes but will give your Doctor a better idea of what to do next.

A blood test might be ordered to rule out cancer as a reason for an ovarian cyst. The blood test looks for the level of protein called CA-125 and normal results are less then 35. However the test is not fool proof, meaning you could have a high level and be cancer free just as your levels could show a normal reading and you could indeed have cancerous cells. The blood test is just another screening tool and is usually only recommended for women who are considered high-risk for ovarian cancer.

Surgery may be necessary if you aren't having regular periods and the ovarian cyst is either getting larger or not going away. Most cysts do not require an operation for removal but they will most definitely if they are likely to be cancerous. The good news is that for most women of childbearing age, ovarian cysts are almost always benign. Since women who have gone thru menopause are more at risk for cancer, surgery is often recommended as a precautionary. As with most forms of cancer, early detection results in a more positive outcome. If the cyst is small and looks benign a laparoscopy will probably be done. This is done with a small light and a tiny incision to remove the cyst. If the cyst is larger or looks to be more worrisome a laparotomy may be performed which is done with a bigger incision and under general anesthesia. During this procedure the cyst can be tested to see if it is indeed cancerous and removal of the ovaries may be done. In some cases the uterus and surrounding tissues may also need to be removed.

While ovarian cysts may seem scary and sometimes can be quite painful, more then likely they are not dangerous and will go away on their own in a few months. It's always a good idea to get in to your Doctor to be checked out if you suspect you have a cyst just to rule out any other complication.