Ovarian Cysts: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options Explained
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Finding out you have an ovarian cyst can be worrying, but most are harmless and disappear on their own. This guide explains what ovarian cysts are, which symptoms are warning signs, how they are diagnosed, and what treatment options exist.
Quick Answer: What are ovarian cysts?
Ovarian cysts are sacs, usually filled with fluid, in or on an ovary. Most form during the menstrual cycle, cause little or no discomfort and go away within a few months, though large cysts can cause pelvic pain or bloating. Get immediate help for sudden severe pelvic pain, pain with fever or vomiting, or signs of shock.
What the research says
Many cysts with a benign look can be watched, but they may take a long time to go away. In a prospective study of 166 premenopausal women (192 persistent masses, all under 8 cm, with benign ultrasound features and no symptoms) followed with ultrasound, 74 masses (38.5%) resolved on their own after a median of 40 months, 49 (25.5%) stayed unchanged, and 40 (20.8%) were removed. Almost all were benign on pathology (Alcázar et al., Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol, 2013) [3].
Dermoid cysts in pregnancy were often managed without surgery. In a retrospective study of 87 pregnant women with dermoid cysts, 53 (60.9%) were managed conservatively and 21 (24.1%) had surgery before delivery. Torsion occurred in 9 (10.3%), and no malignant change was found (Suryawanshi et al., Cureus, 2026) [4].
Most masses in children and teens were not cancer, and the ovary could usually be spared. In a retrospective study of 77 patients aged 6 to 18 who had surgery for an adnexal mass, 84.4% of masses were non-malignant and mature cystic teratoma (dermoid cyst) was the most common (39.0%). Torsion (9.1%) occurred only in patients aged 15 or younger, and ovary-sparing surgery was achieved in 11 of 12 patients with borderline or malignant tumors (Bae et al., Children, 2026) [5].
Study details retrieved from PubMed.
What Are Ovarian Cysts?
You have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Each is about the size and shape of an almond. Eggs develop and mature in the ovaries and are released in monthly cycles during the childbearing years. An ovarian cyst is a sac, usually filled with fluid, that forms in an ovary or on its surface. [1]
Ovarian cysts are common. Most of the time they cause little or no discomfort and are harmless, and most go away without treatment within a few months. The concern arises when a cyst becomes twisted or bursts open, which can cause serious symptoms. Regular pelvic exams, and knowing the warning symptoms, help catch a serious problem early. [1]
Key fact | Detail |
What it is | A sac, usually fluid-filled, in an ovary or on its surface |
Where it forms | In or on one of the two ovaries beside the uterus |
How common | Common |
Usual outcome | Harmless, and most go away on their own within a few months |
Main concern | A cyst that twists (torsion) or bursts (rupture) |
What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?
Most ovarian cysts cause no symptoms and go away on their own. A large cyst can cause: [1]
Symptom | What it feels like |
Pelvic pain | May come and go. A dull ache or a sharp pain in the area below your bellybutton, toward one side |
Fullness or heaviness | Pressure or heaviness in your belly (abdomen) |
Bloating | A swollen or distended feeling in the abdomen |
When should you see a doctor about ovarian cysts?
Get immediate medical help if you have: [1]
Warning sign | Why it matters |
Sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic pain | May signal a twisted or ruptured cyst |
Pain with fever or vomiting | Possible sign of a serious complication |
Signs of shock: cold, clammy skin, rapid breathing, lightheadedness or weakness | Needs emergency care |
What causes ovarian cysts?
Most ovarian cysts form as a result of your menstrual cycle. These are called functional cysts. Each month your ovaries grow small cysts called follicles, which produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone and break open to release an egg at ovulation. A monthly follicle that keeps growing is known as a functional cyst. Functional cysts are usually harmless, rarely cause pain, and often disappear within two to three menstrual cycles. [1]
Cyst type | How it forms | Typical outcome |
Follicular cyst | About halfway through the cycle the follicle does not rupture. It does not release its egg and keeps growing. | Usually harmless; often gone within 2 to 3 cycles |
Corpus luteum cyst | After the egg is released, the opening where it came from gets blocked and fluid builds up inside the follicle (now called the corpus luteum). | Usually harmless; often gone within 2 to 3 cycles |
Other Types of Cysts
Some cysts are not related to the menstrual cycle, and these are much less common. [1]
Cyst | What it is |
Dermoid cyst (teratoma) | Forms from germ cells, the reproductive cells that make eggs. It can contain tissue such as hair, skin, or teeth, and is rarely cancer. |
Cystadenoma | Develops from cells on the surface of an ovary. It may be filled with watery or mucous material and can grow very large. |
Endometrioma | Forms when endometriosis tissue, which is similar to the lining of the uterus, attaches to the ovary. |
Dermoid cysts and cystadenomas can become large enough to move the ovary out of position. This raises the chance of painful twisting of the ovary (ovarian torsion), which may reduce or stop blood flow to the ovary. [1]
What are the risk factors for ovarian cysts?
Risk factor | Why it raises risk |
Hormonal problems | Taking a fertility drug that causes you to ovulate, such as clomiphene or letrozole (Femara) |
Pregnancy | The follicle that forms at ovulation sometimes stays on the ovary throughout pregnancy and can grow larger |
Endometriosis | Some of the tissue can attach to your ovary and form a cyst |
Severe pelvic infection | If the infection spreads to the ovaries, it can cause cysts |
Previous ovarian cysts | If you have had one cyst, you are likely to develop more |
What complications can ovarian cysts cause?
Complications do not happen often, but they can occur. [1]
Complication | What happens | Symptoms |
Ovarian torsion | A large cyst causes the ovary to move, raising the chance of painful twisting. Blood flow to the ovary may be reduced or stopped. | Sudden, severe pelvic pain with nausea and vomiting |
Cyst rupture | A cyst bursts open. The larger the cyst, the greater the risk. Vigorous activity that affects the pelvis, such as vaginal sex, also raises the risk. | Severe pain and bleeding inside the pelvis |
Can ovarian cysts be prevented?
Most ovarian cysts cannot be prevented, but regular pelvic exams and watching for changes in your monthly cycle help catch them early. Regular pelvic exams help ensure that changes in your ovaries are diagnosed as early as possible. Be alert to changes in your monthly cycle, make a note of unusual menstrual symptoms, especially ones that go on for more than a few cycles, and talk to your healthcare provider about changes that concern you. [1]
How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?
A cyst can be found during a pelvic exam or on an imaging test such as a pelvic ultrasound. Depending on its size and whether it is filled with fluid or solid, your provider will likely recommend tests to determine its type and whether you need treatment. [2]
Test | What it shows |
Pregnancy test | A positive result might suggest early pregnancy. Corpus luteum cysts are normal during pregnancy. |
Pelvic ultrasound | A wandlike device (transducer) creates an image of the uterus and ovaries. It confirms the cyst, shows its location, and shows whether it is solid or filled with fluid. |
Laparoscopy | A slim, lighted instrument inserted through a small cut in the abdomen lets your provider see the ovaries and any cyst. Treatment is usually done during the same procedure. It requires anesthesia. |
Tumor marker tests (such as CA 125) | Blood levels of a cancer antigen are often elevated in ovarian cancer. These tests may be ordered if a cyst appears solid and you are at high risk of ovarian cancer. |
CA 125 can also be elevated in noncancerous conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Sometimes less common types of cysts are found during a pelvic exam, and solid ovarian cysts that develop after menopause might be cancerous, which is why regular pelvic exams matter. [2]
What are the treatment options for ovarian cysts?
Treatment depends on your age, the type and size of the cyst, and your symptoms. Your provider might suggest one of these approaches: [2]
Watchful waiting. In many cases you can wait and be reexamined to see whether the cyst goes away after a few months. This is typically an option, regardless of your age, if you have no symptoms and an ultrasound shows a small, fluid-filled cyst. You may have several follow-up pelvic ultrasounds to see whether the cyst changes in size or appearance.
Medicine. Hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills keep you from ovulating, which may keep you from getting more ovarian cysts. They will not shrink an existing cyst.
Surgery. Your provider might suggest removing a cyst that is large, does not look like a functional cyst, is growing, or causes pain. Some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary (cystectomy). In some cases the ovary with the cyst is removed (oophorectomy).
Treatment | Best for | Key points |
Watchful waiting | Small, fluid-filled cysts with no symptoms | Repeat ultrasounds check whether the cyst changes. An option at any age. |
Hormonal contraceptives | Preventing new cysts | Stops ovulation. Does not shrink existing cysts. |
Cystectomy | Large, growing, or painful cysts | Removes the cyst and keeps the ovary |
Oophorectomy | Cases where the ovary with the cyst needs to be removed | Removes the ovary along with the cyst |
Surgery can often be done with minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopy), using a laparoscope and instruments inserted through small cuts in the abdomen. If the cyst is large or cancer is a concern, an open procedure with a larger cut may be needed. An ovarian cyst that develops after menopause is sometimes cancer. In that case you may need to see a gynecologic cancer specialist, and treatment might include surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, and sometimes chemotherapy or radiation. [2]
How can people cope emotionally with ovarian cysts?
Finding out you have a cyst, and deciding between watchful waiting and surgery, can be stressful. Bringing a family member or friend to appointments can help you take in the information and recall it later, and writing down your symptoms and questions before each visit helps you make the most of your time with your provider. If a cyst turns out to be cancerous, ask your care team about support services.
How should you prepare for an ovarian cyst appointment?
Your first visit may be with your primary care provider or a gynecologist, a specialist in conditions that affect the female reproductive system. Think about bringing a family member or friend with you. [2]
Prepare | Details to include |
Your symptoms | Including those that seem unrelated to the reason for the appointment, and when they began |
All medicines | Medicines, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements you take, with dosages |
Your medical history | Including menstrual irregularities |
Questions to ask | What is likely causing my symptoms? What tests might I need? Will my cyst go away on its own, or will I need treatment? Do you have printed materials, and what websites do you recommend? |
Your provider will likely ask how often you have symptoms, how bad they are, whether they seem related to your menstrual cycle, what makes them better or worse, and whether you have had ovarian cysts in the past. [2]
What is the bottom line on ovarian cysts?
Ovarian cysts are a common and usually harmless part of reproductive health. Most form as part of the menstrual cycle, cause no symptoms, and go away within a few months. Larger cysts can cause pelvic pain, pressure, or bloating, and torsion or rupture needs emergency care. Treatment ranges from watchful waiting to surgery, so an accurate diagnosis through a pelvic exam and ultrasound is the first step. If you notice persistent pelvic pain, unusual bloating, or changes in your cycle, schedule a pelvic exam, and bring a list of your symptoms and questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ovarian cyst?
An ovarian cyst is a sac, usually filled with fluid, that forms in an ovary or on its surface. Each ovary sits on one side of the uterus, and cysts can develop on either one. Most are harmless and go away on their own within a few months.
Are ovarian cysts dangerous?
Most ovarian cysts are harmless and cause little or no discomfort. The main risks come from uncommon complications: a cyst that twists the ovary (torsion) or bursts open (rupture). Both can cause sudden severe pain and need prompt medical attention.
Do ovarian cysts cause symptoms?
Most cause no symptoms at all. A large cyst may cause pelvic pain that comes and goes (a dull ache or sharp pain below the bellybutton, often on one side), fullness or pressure in the abdomen, or bloating.
Why do ovarian cysts form?
Most are functional cysts that form as part of the menstrual cycle. A follicular cyst forms when a follicle does not rupture and release its egg, and a corpus luteum cyst forms when fluid builds up inside the follicle after the egg is released. Less common types include dermoid cysts, cystadenomas, and endometriomas.
How long does it take for an ovarian cyst to go away?
Functional cysts often disappear within two to three menstrual cycles, which is typically a few months. Your provider may use watchful waiting with repeat ultrasounds to confirm that the cyst is shrinking. Cysts that persist can take longer to resolve, if they resolve at all.
Can birth control pills shrink an existing ovarian cyst?
No. Hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills keep you from ovulating, which may keep you from getting more ovarian cysts, but they do not shrink an existing cyst.
When should I see a doctor for ovarian cyst symptoms?
Get immediate medical help for sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, pain with fever or vomiting, or signs of shock such as cold, clammy skin, rapid breathing, and lightheadedness or weakness.
What tests diagnose an ovarian cyst?
A cyst can be found during a pelvic exam or on an imaging test such as a pelvic ultrasound, which shows its location and whether it is solid or filled with fluid. Your provider may also order a pregnancy test, tumor marker blood tests such as CA 125, or laparoscopy.
What is the CA 125 test?
CA 125 is a blood test for a protein that is often elevated in ovarian cancer. It may be ordered if a cyst appears solid and you are at high risk of ovarian cancer. Levels can also be elevated in noncancerous conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.
When is surgery needed for an ovarian cyst?
Your provider might suggest surgery for a cyst that is large, does not look like a functional cyst, is growing, or causes pain. Some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary (cystectomy). In some cases the ovary with the cyst is removed (oophorectomy).
Can ovarian cysts come back?
Yes. If you have had one ovarian cyst, you are likely to develop more. Hormonal contraceptives may keep you from getting more by stopping ovulation, and regular pelvic exams help find changes early.
Can I prevent ovarian cysts?
There is no way to prevent most ovarian cysts. Regular pelvic exams help diagnose changes in your ovaries as early as possible, and it helps to note unusual menstrual symptoms, especially ones that go on for more than a few cycles.
Related Resources
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ovarian Cysts (FAQ075). ACOG. Last reviewed July 2025. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/ovarian-cysts
Office on Women's Health. Ovarian cysts. womenshealth.gov. Page last updated February 22, 2021. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/ovarian-cysts
Related Reading
Laparoscopy: What It Is, Uses, Procedure and Recovery explains the keyhole procedure most often used to remove ovarian cysts, how to prepare and what recovery is like.
Pelvic Exam: What to Expect, How to Prepare and What It Checks explains what happens during a pelvic exam and what it can find.
Pelvic Ultrasound: Types, Preparation, What It Shows and Results explains the imaging test often used to find or rule out this condition.
Learn more in our guide to Transvaginal Ultrasound: Why It's Done, How to Prepare and What to Expect.
CA-125 Blood Test: What It Measures, Normal Levels and What High Results Mean explains the blood test used to monitor ovarian cancer, normal CA-125 levels and why a high result isn't a diagnosis on its own.
References
Mayo Clinic Staff. Ovarian cysts: symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Dec. 23, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cysts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353405
Mayo Clinic Staff. Ovarian cysts: diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. Dec. 23, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cysts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353411
Alcázar JL, Olartecoechea B, Guerriero S, et al. Expectant management of adnexal masses in selected premenopausal women: a prospective observational study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2013;41(5):582-588. PMID: 23229818. DOI: 10.1002/uog.12369
Suryawanshi AG, Agrawal R, Bharti A, et al. Management of dermoid cysts during pregnancy: a retrospective analysis from a tertiary care center. Cureus. 2026;18(2):e104356. PMID: 41918635. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.104356
Bae J, Kim HK, Lee I, et al. Clinical features of surgically managed adnexal masses in children and adolescents at a tertiary referral center. Children (Basel). 2026;13(4):549. PMID: 42073127. DOI: 10.3390/children13040549
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your health.
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