Ovarian Cyst Treatment in Wellesley, MA | Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates
Comprehensive women's health, every stage of life
At Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates, we know that hearing the words “you have a cyst in your ovary” can be unsettling, even when the news is ultimately reassuring and vindicating. Ovarian cysts are incredibly common, and the vast majority are harmless and resolve on their own. But that doesn’t make the uncertainty any less stressful while you wait for answers.
Our approach to ovarian cyst care is built around clarity and calm. You deserve to understand exactly what is happening in your body, what your options are, and what comes next, without medical jargon standing in the way. Whether your cyst was found incidentally during a routine exam or is causing symptoms that brought you in, our board-certified OB/GYNs are here to guide you through diagnosis and treatment with the compassionate, whole-person care that you deserve.
To schedule an evaluation for an ovarian cyst in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online. Comprehensive, whole-person care begins here.
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What Are Ovarian Cysts?
A cyst is a simply a fluid-filled sac that can develop almost anywhere in the body. In women, cysts commonly form on or inside the ovaries, the two small organs on either side of the uterus responsible for producing and releasing eggs each month.
Most women will develop at least one ovarian cyst at some point in their lives, often without ever knowing about it. Many cysts cause no symptoms at all and disappear on their own within a few menstrual cycles. Others may grow large enough to cause discomfort or require closer monitoring, and in some cases, treatment.
Ovarian cysts can develop at any age, but they are most common during a woman’s reproductive years, when the ovaries are actively releasing eggs each month. They can also occur after menopause, which is why any postmenopausal cyst is evaluated with extra care.
What Are the Different Types of Cysts?
Not all ovarian cysts are the same, and understanding which type you have is an important part of determining the right path forward. Broadly speaking, ovarian cysts fall into two categories: functional cysts, which are tied to normal menstrual cycles, and non-functional cysts, which form for other reasons.
Follicular Cyst
Each month, an egg develops inside a small fluid-filled structure called a follicle. Around the middle of your cycle, the follicle is supposed to rupture and release the egg during ovulation. If it doesn’t open as expected, the follicle can continue to fill with fluid and become a cyst. Follicular cysts are the most common type of ovarian cyst and typically resolve on their own within one to three cycles.
Corpus Luteum Cyst
After an egg is released, the empty follicle transforms into a structure called the corpus luteum, which produces hormones that support early pregnancy. If the opening where the egg was released reseals and fluid builds up inside, the corpus luteum can develop into a cyst. These cysts are also functional and often resolve without treatment, though they can occasionally cause more noticeable pain than a follicular cyst.
Endometriomas
Endometriomas form when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows on the ovary, a result of endometriosis. These cysts are often referred to as “chocolate cysts” due to the dark, thickened fluid they contain, and they typically require a more involved treatment plan than functional cysts.
Dermoid Cysts
Also known as mature cystic teratomas, dermoid cysts form from cells present since birth and can contain a mix of tissue types, including hair, skin, or fat. They are not related to your menstrual cycle and are usually benign but should typically be monitored or removed depending on their size.
Polycystic Ovaries
Some women develop numerous small cysts on their ovaries as part of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that can affect ovulation, menstrual cycles, and fertility. This is a distinct condition from a single, isolated ovarian cyst, and our team can help determine whether PCOS may be a factor in your symptoms.
Every cyst is different, and only a gynecologist can determine its exact type and whether it is benign or, in rare cases, something that warrants further investigation.
What Are the Symptoms of an Ovarian Cyst?
Most ovarian cysts are silent, will not cause any sort of symptoms, and go away on their own. Many women never know they have one until it is discovered during a routine pelvic exam or an ultrasound is performed for an unrelated reason.
When a cyst does cause symptoms, they often include:
- Pelvic pain or pressure, which may be full and constant or sharp and intermittent
- Bloating or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen
- Pain during ovulation or menstruation
- Pain during intercourse
- Lower back pain
- Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder completely
- Unexplained changes in your menstrual cycle
Rarely, an ovarian cyst can twist the ovary, a condition called ovarian torsion, or rupture, both of which require urgent medical care. Seek emergency care right away if you experience sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, especially if it’s accompanied by fever, vomiting, dizziness, or fainting. If anything feels out of the ordinary for you, particularly around your menstrual cycle, don’t wait to bring it up. Our team would always rather see you and offer reassurance than have you spend weeks wondering.
How Are Ovarian Cysts Treated?
Treatment for an ovarian cysts depends on its size, type, your symptoms, your age, and whether you have gone through menopause. A diagnosis of an ovarian cysts does not automatically mean surgery or medication is needed.
For most functional cysts, the recommended approach is simply to wait and monitor. Your OB/GYN will likely schedule a follow-up ultrasound in six to eight weeks to see whether the cyst has resolved on its own, which is the most common outcome for cysts related to your menstrual cycle.
Hormonal contraceptives are a common next step. While they cannot shrink or resolve an existing cyst, they can help prevent new functional cysts from forming by regulating or suppressing ovulation. Your physician may recommend this option if you experience recurrent cysts.
If a cyst is causing discomfort and disrupting your life while resolving on its own, your physician can recommend appropriate pain relief options to help you feel more comfortable in the meantime.
Lastly, surgery may be recommended if a cyst is large, growing, or causing significant symptoms, appears complex on imaging, or persists over multiple menstrual cycles. In most cases, this can be done laparoscopically, through a minimally invasive approach using small incisions that typically allows for a shorter recovery than traditional open surgery. Whenever possible, your physician will aim to remove only the cyst and preserve the healthy ovarian tissue around it.
If imaging or lab results raise concern that a cyst could be cancerous, you will be referred to a gynecologic oncologist that works closely with our OB/GYNs at Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates for specialized evaluation and care.
How Are Ovarian Cysts Diagnosed?
Most ovarian cysts are first identified during a routine pelvic exam, when your doctor may feel swelling or tenderness on one of your ovaries. From there, your provider will typically recommend a few follow-up steps to learn more about the cyst:
Pelvic Ultrasound
An ultrasound is the primary tool used to confirm the presence of a cyst and gather important details, including its size, location, and whether it is filled with fluid, solid tissue, or a mixture of both. This information helps guide the recommended next steps.
Blood Tests
If there is any concern that a cysts could be something other than a typical functional or benign cysts, your doctor may order a blood test to check levels of CA-125, a protein that can be elevated in certain conditions. An elevated result doesn’t necessarily mean cancer, as many benign conditions can raise CA-125 levels too, but it helps your care team decide whether additional evaluation is warranted.
Additional Imaging
In some cases, an MRI or CT scan may be used to get a more detailed picture of a cyst, particularly if it is large, complex, or doesn’t resolve as expected.
Why Do Patients Choose Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates for Ovarian Cyst Care?
Since 1963, we have been a trusted leader in women’s health care. Today, we carry that established excellence forward while reimagining what a diagnosis like an ovarian cyst should feel like for the woman living through it.
Our specialists are committed to treating you as a whole person, not just a finding on an ultrasound. From your first appointment through diagnosis, monitoring, and, if needed, treatment, we take the time to answer your questions and make sure you never feel rushed or left in the dark. Full-spectrum clinical excellence paired with genuine, community-rooted care is what has kept women coming back to us for decades.
Ovarian Cysts Look Different at Different Life Stages
Reproductive Years
During your reproductive years, functional cysts tied to ovulation are by far the most common type, and the majority resolve without any intervention. These are also the years when conditions like endometriosis and PCOS are most likely to be identified as underlying contributors to recurrent cysts.
Perimenopause
As hormone levels shift and ovulation becomes less predictable in the years leading up to menopause, cysts can behave a bit differently and may take longer to resolve. Your provider will factor this transition into how closely a cyst is monitored.
After Menopause
Because ovulation has stopped after menopause, cysts found during this stage of life are evaluated with additional care, even when they are small. While the majority remain benign, your doctor will typically recommend closer monitoring or, depending on the cyst’s characteristics, surgical evaluation to rule out anything of concern.
Request an Ovarian Cyst Evaluation in Wellesley, MA
If you’ve been told you have an ovarian cyst, are experiencing symptoms that concern you, or simply have questions about your reproductive health, we’re here to help. To schedule your appointment at our upgraded OB/GYN office in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000 or complete our online consultation request form, and a member of our team will reach out to you shortly to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you navigate the complex world of ovarian cysts and ovarian health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ovarian Cysts
Can an ovarian cyst affect my ability to get pregnant?
Functional ovarian cysts do not affect fertility and can resolve before they ever become an issue. However, certain types of cysts, such as endometriomas or cysts related to PCOS, can impact fertility and may warrant a conversation with your doctor about your family planning goals.
Do ovarian cysts go away on their own?
Yes. Most functional ovarian cysts, including follicular and corpus luteum cysts, resolve on their own within a few menstrual cycles without any treatment. If they are causing you any pain or discomfort, or they’re disrupting your life, we are available to help you live a more comfortable life as the cysts pass.
Is an ovarian cyst the same thing as ovarian cancer?
No. The overwhelming majority of ovarian cysts are benign and unrelated to cancer. Ovarian cancer is far less common, but your doctor will use imaging and, when needed, blood testing to help distinguish between the two.
Can I still have a period if I have an ovarian cyst?
Yes, most women with an ovarian cyst continue to have regular periods, although some cysts can cause changes in cycle length, flow, or timing.
How often should I be rechecked once a cyst is found?
Your physician will decide if a cyst needs to be rechecked based on the type and size of the cyst, but a follow-up ultrasound six to eight weeks later is a common starting point to check whether it has resolved or changed.