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Surgery for Ovarian Cysts
Surgery is used to confirm the diagnosis of an ovarian cyst, remove a cyst that is causing symptoms, and rule out ovarian cancer.
Surgery for an ovarian cyst or growth may be advised in the following situations:
- Ovarian growths (masses) are present in both ovaries.
- An ovarian cyst is larger than 3 in. (7.6 cm).
- An ovarian cyst that is being watched does not get smaller or go away in 2 to 3 months.
- An ultrasound exam suggests that a cyst is not a simple functional cyst.
- You have an ovarian growth and you:
- Have never had a menstrual period (for example, a young girl).
- Have been through menopause (postmenopausal woman).
- Use birth control pills (unless you are using low-dose progestin-only pills or have missed a pill, which would make an ovulation-related functional cyst more likely).
- Your doctor is concerned that ovarian cancer may be present. In this case, it is also advised that you see a gynecologic oncologist.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 12, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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