An ovarian cyst is a sac filled with liquid or semiliquid material that arises in an ovary. Although the discovery of an ovarian cyst causes considerable anxiety in women owing to fears of malignancy, the vast majority of these lesions are benign. Ovarian cysts are usually asymptomatic, but pain in the abdomen or pelvis is common.
The ovaries are reproductive organs in women that are located in the pelvis. One ovary is on each side of the uterus, and each is about the size of a walnut. The ovaries produce eggs and the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. They control sexual development including breasts, body shape, and body hair. The ovaries also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Ovulation is controlled by hormone chain reactions from the brain. Every month, follicles rupture to release an egg into the Fallopian tube. A follicle is a small fluid sac that contains the female gametes (eggs) inside the ovary.
Sometimes a follicle doesn't release an egg and continues to fill with fluid—this is a follicular cyst. If a follicle releases an egg but then reseals and fills with fluid, it's a corpus luteum cyst. Both are functional cysts and are the most common type.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
Includes follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts. Corpus luteum cysts can bleed and become hemorrhagic.
May be associated with endometriosis, PCOS, cystadenomas, or endometriomas.
Most resolve on their own. Repeat exams may be recommended. No treatment may be necessary if no changes are found.
Pain meds help in most cases. Surgery may be needed for dermoid cysts or internal bleeding.
Typically, no. Exceptions include endometriosis and PCOS-related cysts.
No, not if you're ovulating. Hormonal birth control may reduce your chances of developing new cysts.
If surgery isn’t needed, doctors may suggest pain relievers or hormonal birth control to prevent ovulation and lower the risk of new cysts.