Ovarian cyst is any fluid filled sac within the ovary.

• Often, they cause no Sx
• Occasionally, they may produce bloating, lower abdominal pain, or lower back pain
• If the cyst either breaks open (called ruptured ovarian cyst) or causes twisting of the ovary (called ovarian torsion), severe pain may occur. This may result in vomiting or feeling faint
• The majority of cysts are, however, harmless

• Most ovarian cysts are related to ovulation being either:
  • Follicular cysts
  • Corpus luteum cysts
• Other types include cysts due to:
  • Endometrioma (cysts due to endometriosis)
  • Dermoid cysts
  • Cystadenomas (i.e. a type of cystic adenoma)
• Many small cysts occur in both ovaries, called PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) may also result in cysts
• Rarely, cysts may be a form of ovarian cancer

• Functional cysts, which are a normal part of the menstrual cycle, including:
  • Follicular cyst (see page)
  • Corpus luteum cyst (see page)
  • Theca lutein cyst
• Non-functional cysts, including:
  • Ovary with many cysts, which may be found in normal women, or in PCOS
  • Chocolate cysts, which are cysts caused by endometriosis
  • Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst
  • Dermoid cyst
  • Ovarian serous cystadenoma
  • Ovarian mucinous cystadenoma
  • Paraovarian cyst
  • Cystic adenofibroma
  • Borerline tumoral cyst

• Pelvic exam
• U/S
• Other testing used to gain further details

• Often cysts are simply observed over time
• If it causes pain, drugs e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen may be used
• Hormonal birth control may be used to prevent further cysts in thoe who are frequently affected. However, evidence doesn't suport birth control as a Tx of current cysts
• If they do not go away after several months, get larger, look unusual, or cause pain, they may be removed by surgery

• Most women of reproductive age develop small cysts each month
• Large cysts that cause problems occur in about 8% of women before menopause
• Ovarian cysts are present in about 16% of women after menopause and if present are more likely to be cancer