What is the treatment of ovarian cyst?

Answer 1

It's very complicated to answer "how do you treat an ovarian cyst?" Depending on the type of cyst, various treatments are suggested -- everything from "wait and see" to oral contraceptives to herbal remedies to surgery. In order to address what works and doesn't work (and to collect both anecdotal and empirical evidence), I'm trying to get a support group going online. I don't know if there's already one out there. But, if you'd like to join, I think we can really help each other out. This group is mainly for women who have functional ovarian cysts (meaning follicular cysts or corpus luteum cysts) and especially women who have them chronically. Anyone with nonfunctional cysts or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is welcome to join. Who knows? You may find some goodies there, too. http://ovariancyst.hqforums.com/index.php

Answer 2

There is no 'cure' - most ovarian cysts are functional in nature, and harmless. Nearly all premenopausal women have ovarian cysts. When any are found that are 5 centimeters in diameter or are causing pain and bleeding, tests are done to rule out causes diseases and the cyst is removed.

Most times the cyst can be removed without damage to the ovaries, but sometimes it can be bad enough to require removal of one or both ovaries.

Answer 3

A follicular cyst occurs from an ovary that doesn't release its egg. Instead, it grows until it becomes a cyst. Follicular cysts are usually harmless, rarely cause pain and often disappear on their own within two or three menstrual cycles.

When there are abnormal changes in the follicle of the ovary after an egg has been released, fluid accumulates inside the follicle, and a corpus luteum cyst develops. A corpus luteum cyst can grow to almost 10 cm in diameter and has the potential to bleed or twist the ovary, causing pelvic or abdominal pain. If it fills with blood, the cyst may rupture, causing internal bleeding and sudden, sharp pain.

A positive pregnancy test may suggest that your cyst is a corpus luteum cyst, which can develop when the ruptured follicle that released your egg reseals and fills with fluid. These cysts usually don't prevent or threaten a developing pregnancy.

Watchful waiting, is what a doctor calls "wait and see." This does not mean doing nothing; regular monitoring with ultrasound, staying aware of the size, shape and composition of the cyst to determine if it is a fluid-filled cyst - which isn't likely to be cancerous, as is monitoring your symptoms and acting accordingly is very important.

Sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, cold - clammy skin or pain accompanied by fever or vomiting can be a sign of a rupture cyst and shock caused by internal bleeding, this needs to be reported to your doctor or emergency center, ASAP when you have a known ovarian cyst.

Some ovarian cysts will go away on their own, some can be treated with hormones (BCP) and some may need surgery, if the pain is severe or if they are causing other problems such as bleeding, leaking fluid into to your abdomen or other common symptoms. By inserting a laparoscope into your abdomen through a small incision --- your doctor may suggest removing the affected ovary in a procedure known as oophorectomy or may be able to do a cystectomy, leaving both ovaries intact. Even if you are not planning on having (more) children, leaving your ovaries intact whenever possible, allows you to retain your estrogen production.

Pelvic pain, pressure on the bladder or bowel, breast tenderness, nausea & vomiting or a dull ache that may go into your thighs or back and may come on before your period - then dissipate. Can all be signs of ovarian cysts.

Those cysts that are determined to be solid or mixed --- filled with fluid and solid --- may require further evaluation to determine if cancer is present. If you develop an ovarian cyst that is partially solid and you are at high risk of ovarian cancer, your doctor may test your blood levels of a protein called CA 125 (cancer antigen 125). Elevated blood levels of CA 125 often are elevated in women with ovarian cancer.

Post menopause, there is a higher risk of a new cystic mass being ovarian cancer. As a result, doctors more commonly recommend surgery when a cystic mass develops on the ovaries after menopause. In the event your cyst is cancerous or precancerous your doctor will advise a complete hysterectomy.

Answer 4

Not a lot is known about ovarian cysts. Scientists do not know why they happen and they do not know how to get rid of them.

Typically they come and go without a woman even knowing. In cases where there are "symptoms" of a cyst women can go on birth control pills to help reregulate their menstruation cycle. There has been some evidence that the pill has helped reduce the size of ovarian cysts and even helped get rid of them, but the evidence is not conclusive.

Answer 5

Ovarian cysts usually disappear on their own and require no medical intervention. However if a cyst becomes unusually large or lasts longer than a few months surgery may be required to remove and/or examine it.

Answer 6

There are many medications that can be used to treat PCOS. Metformin and Birth Control pills are both common with this condition.