Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are small, fluid-filled sacs that usually are not malignant. Sometimes, ovarian cysts appear in connection with the menstrual cycle, and they may go away on their own in a few months.

Although most ovarian cysts are benign (not cancer), they must be taken very seriously. A sonogram will show whether a cyst is fluid-filled or has solid matter in it. If it is solid, it may be related to endometriosis, or it may be cancerous.

(1) Symptoms
They may not cause any symptoms, or they may be quite painful. When these cysts grow large, they may cause feelings of pressure or fullness.

(2) Treatments
If you have not yet gone through menopause, you may not need any treatment, unless the cyst is very big or causing pain.

If surgery is needed, often the cyst can be removed without removing the ovary. Even if one ovary has to be removed, it is still possible to become pregnant as long as one ovary remains.
After menopause, the risk of ovarian cancer increases. Surgery to remove an ovarian cyst is usually recommended in this case. Your doctor will probably want to do a biopsy to see if cancer is present.

Treatment options include:
• watchful waiting
• cystectomy to remove the cyst
• oophorectomy to remove the affected ovary
• hormone therapy to reduce the size of the cyst
• hysterectomy to remove the uterus (this usually is not necessary unless the cyst is cancerous)