The most appropriate treatment for an ovarian cyst depends on:

• the type of cyst
• your symptoms
• your age

Pre-Menopausal Women

If you are a pre-menopausal woman, your doctor will likely suggest monitoring a functional cyst for eight weeks without any other treatment. Ninety percent of cysts begin to shrink or totally disappear within this time. You will likely be asked to return in three to four weeks for your doctor to check the cyst.

Your doctor may suggest surgically removing a cyst if:

• it remains unchanged or grows larger during the eight-week observation period
• it causes severe pain or complications
• diagnostic tests show it is a type of cyst that is unlikely to disappear on its own (for example, a dermoid cyst)

Use the link below to learn about this surgery.

Post-Menopausal Women

Most cysts diagnosed in post-menopausal women are also benign and the body often reabsorbs them within a few months. However, age is an important risk factor for ovarian cancer. To ensure that you do not have cancer, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the cyst. The appearance of the cyst during an ultrasound will help your doctor determine the likelihood of cancer and advise you about whether or not you should have surgery. If a simple cyst can be clearly visualized on ultrasound, there is little risk and some doctors may recommend a period of watchful waiting.

• Surgery for an ovarian cyst