Ovarian cysts
From symptoms and diagnosis to treatment and prevention
- Most ovarian cysts are benign (not cancer), and many functional cysts go away on their own within 2 to 3 menstrual cycles.
- An ovarian cyst is not the same as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, renamed PMOS in 2026) or fibroids.
Find your starting point:
- If a cyst was seen on an ultrasound, start with Ovarian cyst diagnosis.
- If you have questions about follow-up, medicines or surgery, read Ovarian cyst treatment.
- To lower the chance of some new cysts forming, see Ovarian cyst prevention.
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Ovarian cysts: the basics, symptoms and related factors
What is an ovarian cyst?
A cyst is a sac that forms in or on the ovary. It usually contains fluid, and some types also contain blood or tissue. The most common type is a functional cyst, which is linked to the normal ovulation cycle.
Who can get ovarian cysts?
Anyone who ovulates can get a functional cyst. Endometriosis and some medicines that stimulate ovulation can also play a part in causing certain cysts.
Is an ovarian cyst dangerous or cancerous?
Most cysts are benign. A cyst after menopause, a complex appearance on ultrasound or a change during follow-up needs a closer look, but none of these on its own means cancer.
Is an ovarian cyst the same as PCOS?
No. An ovarian cyst is different from polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and fibroids, and each one is assessed in its own way.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition and is not the same as an ovarian cyst.
Having a cyst is not your fault
Many ovarian cysts form as part of normal ovulation. They are not caused by your lifestyle, by cold or by poor hygiene, so having a cyst does not mean you did something wrong.
Known causes or underlying conditions
- Normal ovulation (functional cysts)
- Endometriosis (chocolate cysts, or endometriomas)
- Some fertility medicines that stimulate ovulation
Not a cause of cysts
- Bathing or contact with cold water during your period
- Sitting on cold surfaces, or having a “cold womb”
- A particular food, or advice based on “hot” and “cold” temperaments
- Poor hygiene
Most cysts do not cause an emergency, but some symptoms need prompt assessment.
Sudden, severe pain in the abdomen or pelvis, especially with nausea or vomiting, dizziness or sudden weakness, can be linked to a ruptured cyst or ovarian torsion (a twisted ovary). If this happens, get emergency medical care right away.
Finding the right path for your situation
An ovarian cyst on your ultrasound report
Seeing the word “cyst” on an ultrasound report does not mean cancer.
In women who have not reached menopause, the chance that an ovarian cyst causing symptoms is cancerous is estimated to be very low (about 1 in 1,000). This chance changes with age and with the features of the cyst, and it is higher after menopause.
Your ultrasound report is a guide rather than the final word: don’t let one phrase alarm you, and don’t set the result aside without follow-up.
Simple or functional cysts and follow-up ultrasound
Many functional cysts go away within 2 to 3 menstrual cycles without medicine or surgery.
A cyst diagnosis does not always mean immediate treatment or surgery.
A cyst diagnosis does not always mean immediate treatment or surgery.
Birth control pills do not make an existing functional cyst go away faster.
Complex or growing cysts, or cysts after menopause
- A cyst found after menopause
- A complex appearance on ultrasound, such as an irregular wall, a dividing wall inside the cyst (septum) or a solid area
- A cyst that grows or changes in appearance on follow-up ultrasounds
These findings are not proof of cancer; they only show that further assessment is needed.
If surgery has been suggested for your ovarian cyst
The need for surgery is assessed based on whether the cyst persists, your symptoms, and its size and appearance.
In surgery for a benign cyst, healthy ovarian tissue is preserved whenever possible.
No single number automatically means surgery for everyone.
Chocolate cysts (endometriomas)
An endometrioma is linked to endometriosis and usually does not go away on its own the way a simple functional cyst does.
Removing an endometrioma can reduce part of the ovarian reserve (egg supply), especially if both ovaries are affected or the surgery is repeated. This should be discussed with you before a decision is made.
A history of ovarian cysts and worry about them coming back
A cyst forming again does not mean treatment has failed; some types of cyst can form again.
After looking at the type of cyst and your history, your doctor decides on the timing of follow-up and, if needed, whether a hormonal method is an option.
Frequently asked questions about ovarian cysts
Most benign cysts do not prevent pregnancy, but the effect of any cyst depends on its type and the treatment it needs.
If you are planning a pregnancy or are worried about how treatment might affect it, raise this with your doctor before surgery.
There is no reliable evidence that broccoli, fennel, yarrow, red clover or similar herbal products can treat a cyst.
Relying on home remedies instead of an ultrasound and a doctor’s assessment can delay the checks you need.
Many functional cysts go away within about 2 to 3 menstrual cycles. Whether monitoring, medicine or surgery is needed depends on the cyst’s type, size, appearance and symptoms, and on your menopausal status.
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