Ovarian Cysts Summary A cyst is a fluid-filled sac. In most cases a cyst on the ovary does no harm and goes away by itself. Most women have them sometime during their lives. Cysts are rarely cancerous in women under 50. Cysts sometimes hurt – but not always. Often, a woman finds out about a cyst when she has a pelvic exam. If you’re in your childbearing years or past menopause, have no symptoms, and have a fluid-filled cyst, you may choose to monitor the cyst. You may need surgery if you have pain, are past menopause or if the cyst does not go away. Birth control pills can help prevent new cysts. A health problem that may involve ovarian cysts is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS can have high levels of male hormones, irregular or no periods and small ovarian cysts. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Ovarian Cysts National Institutes of Health Encyclopedia Culdocentesis DHEA-sulfate test Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test Ovarian overproduction of androgens Pelvic laparoscopy Pelvis MRI scan Transvaginal ultrasound Find an Expert National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development womenshealth.gov Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Reference Desk Normal Female Reproductive Anatomy National Cancer Institute Start Here Ovarian Cyst American Academy of Family Physicians Ovarian Cysts Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Ovarian Cysts American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Ovarian Cysts Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Array Ovarian cysts Pelvic laparoscopy – slideshow Related Issues Ovarian Cysts and Fertility: Is There a Connection? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Journal Articles Ovarian cysts Diagnosis and Tests Ultrasound — Pelvis Array
