“What treatments are available for ovarian cysts?”
I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts. What treatments are available for ovarian cysts?
1 Answer
Ovarian cysts are common growths that develop on or inside your ovaries. There are several types of cysts. The most common kinds are harmless, don’t cause symptoms and eventually go away without treatment.
Rarely, cysts can cause complications that require your doctors attention.
If treatment is necessary options include:
1. Functional ovarian cyst often go away without treatment - watchful waiting.
2. Medication such as combined hormonal contraception (aka, birth control pill) can stop ovulation and future cyst formation.
3. Ovarian cyst surgery: If a cyst is causing symptoms and getting bigger, you may need surgery to remove it. The type of surgery depends on the size of the cyst and how it appears on the ultrasound. The different procedures used include:
Minimally invasive - Laparoscopy: The ovarian cyst can be removed through tiny incisions (ovarian cystectomy). Sometimes the ovary will need to be removed.
Open abdominal - Laparotomy: Your doctor may perform this procedure if the cyst is very large or if there are other concerns.
Rarely, cysts can cause complications that require your doctors attention.
If treatment is necessary options include:
1. Functional ovarian cyst often go away without treatment - watchful waiting.
2. Medication such as combined hormonal contraception (aka, birth control pill) can stop ovulation and future cyst formation.
3. Ovarian cyst surgery: If a cyst is causing symptoms and getting bigger, you may need surgery to remove it. The type of surgery depends on the size of the cyst and how it appears on the ultrasound. The different procedures used include:
Minimally invasive - Laparoscopy: The ovarian cyst can be removed through tiny incisions (ovarian cystectomy). Sometimes the ovary will need to be removed.
Open abdominal - Laparotomy: Your doctor may perform this procedure if the cyst is very large or if there are other concerns.
