How to Treat Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are growths that appear on the ovaries. Most of these are fluid-filled, non-cancerous sacs, but some may grow extremely large, cause severe pain or develop into cancer. You should treat your ovarian cysts according to your doctor's instructions.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor or gynecologist

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Instructions

Treat Ovarian Cysts

• 1

  Consult a doctor if you are having any outward symptoms of ovarian cysts. Only a doctor can accurately treat the cysts. Symptoms include menstrual irregularity, pelvic pain, nausea, fullness and vaginal discharge.

• 2

  Wait two to three months and have your cysts re-examined to see if they have grown in size. For women in their reproductive years or who are post-menopausal, your doctor may wish to simply wait before trying any more invasive treatments. If a cyst is smaller than 2 inches, your doctor may wait to remove it.

• 3

  Consider taking birth control pills, which have been shown to reduce the chances of new cysts and of ovarian cancer. You may have to try a few different types of birth control before you find a pill that works for you.

• 4

  Discuss with your doctor if you want to have children in the future. Your doctor will try to treat the cysts with non-invasive techniques, preserving fertility as much as possible.

• 5

  Know that a laparoscopy can diagnose and treat cysts. Your doctor can choose to remove some cysts during this simple procedure.

• 6

  Have the cyst removed if it is large, causes pain or if it continues to grow. A cystectomy removes an ovary, leaving one functioning ovary in place. This procedure is called an oophorectomy (or ovariotomy).

• 7

  Think about a hysterectomy if you are past childbearing age and have several large or painful cysts. The removal of the reproductive organs will rid your body of the ability to produce cysts.