Ovarian cysts are abnormal sacs filled with fluid that can form on the ovaries. Ovarian cysts are common and can happen to people of any age. Normal functional cysts that aren’t dangerous include follicular cysts, which hold eggs, and corpus luteal cysts, which form after the egg is released from the follicular cyst. Lymph node cysts, endometriomas, and teratomas are some other types of cysts that are not harmful.

Cancerous ovarian tumors are in the other group. Often, the ovarian cysts don't cause any symptoms. It could be found by an ultrasound scan or a pelvic check by a doctor. It can sometimes lead to signs like abdominal pressure, bloating, trouble passing stools, having to go to the toilet a lot, and some women may even experience unusual bleeding patterns in their uterus. In most cases, an ultrasound is enough to make the diagnosis, but sometimes an MRI and biochemical markers like CA125 are needed to prove that the tissue is cancerous.

Watchful waiting can be used as a treatment, especially for physiological cysts, to let them go away on their own. Hormonal treatment can sometimes work for cysts that aren’t too big, especially when they are caused by endometriomas. Cysts that are big, don’t go away, or cause severe symptoms need surgery to be treated.

The best way to remove cysts now, when surgery is needed, is through a laparoscope. It only takes one or two days in the hospital. As a result, the patient has less pain after surgery, a lower chance of getting an infection, and can get back to normal activities faster.