Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Afshaan Shaik

Ovarian Cyst: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Dangerous Size Guide

Ovarian cysts are prevalent in women of childbearing years. That is because cysts tend to be triggered by the menstrual cycle and the hormonal changes it causes.

Two ovaries are present in a woman, each about the size and shape of an almond, one on each side of the uterus.

The ovaries produce eggs (ovulation) and the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, and they also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Symptoms Of Ovarian Cyst

Most ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms, but some can. Common symptom is pain in the abdomen and pelvis, the other ovarian cyst symptoms include:-

And the symptoms that need immediate medical attention are as follows:

Symptoms of a Ruptured Ovarian Cyst

A ruptured cyst can cause sudden, intense pain and other symptoms:

A ruptured cyst is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

What Size of Ovarian Cyst Is Dangerous?

Generally, cysts smaller than 5 cm are considered harmless and often resolve on their own. However, cysts larger than 5–10 cm may need monitoring or removal, especially if:

Large cysts can impair ovarian function and fertility or lead to complications like hemorrhage.

How do Ovarian Cysts occur?

An ovarian cyst forms when fluid accumulates within the membrane inside the ovary. The size of an ovarian cyst can vary from pea-sized, to larger than an orange, and they are a result from the menstrual cycle (functional cyst).

From a follicle an egg grows this sac is found inside the ovaries, once the sac breaks open the egg is released, when this sac doesn’t break open the fluid inside the sac or follicle accumulates inside the membrane within the ovary which forms a cyst.

Causes Of Ovarian Cyst

The Ovarian Cyst Types Include

Non-Functional Cysts There are other types of cysts present that are not related to the normal function of the menstrual cycle and can be painful and may need medical emergency, they are as follows-

Dermoid Cysts Also called Teratomas because of their abnormal growth can contain tissue, hair, skin or teeth as they are formed from residual embryonic cells. They can cause ovarian torsion, infection, rupture and in rare cases, cancer.

A dermoid cyst develops from a multipotential (to grow from a single cell and produce differentiated cells) germ cell that is retained within the egg sac (ovary).

Adermoid cysts may occur at any age, but the prime age of detection is the childbearing years. 15% of women can have them in both ovaries. This cyst can range in size from 1 cm to 45 cm in diameter.

The larger the dermoid cyst, the greater the risk of rupture with spillage of the mucinous material, which can create a problem with adhesion, and pain.

The majority of these tumours are benign, but some 2% can become cancerous.

Cystadenomas

These are a type of benign tumour that develops on the surface of the ovary and are filled with a watery or mucous material. It tends to be huge. They do not affect the fertility of a woman in their reproductive years, but they do need to be removed.

Classification of Cystadenoma

Serous Cystadenoma:

Mucinous Cystadenoma

They are also benign ovarian tumours, they are considered mucinous (mucous) type based on their appearance under a microscope.

They generally affect women in the age span of 40 to 50 years. It usually presents as a single mass within the ovary or can occur as multiple masses within a single ovary; it may affect both ovaries as well.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding and increased abdominal size. Complete surgical removal of the tumour is suggested.

Endometriomas

Also known as Chocolate Cysts are developed as a result of a condition in which uterine endometrial cells grow outside the uterus (endometriosis), some of these tissues attach themselves to the ovary and forms growth, and the area of this endometrial tissue grows and bleeds, as they have no place to shed the tissues and flow out, they form a cyst which is filled with blood and red or brown coloured remnants of the tissues.

Polycystic Ovaries

Women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome have higher than normal levels of the male hormone called androgen. This excess hormone causes multiple small cysts to form in the ovary, and thus the ovaries swell up.

Polycystic ovary syndrome causes hair growth on the face and body and can cause baldness too. It can cause long-term health problems like diabetes and heart problems. Women suffering from PCOS have irregular or skipped periods and are insulin-resistant.

Para-Ovarian Cyst

Para means close, and ovarium means ovaries, so as the name suggests, it is a cyst near the ovary. They are also called Para-tubal cysts and are epithelium-lined fluid-filled cysts in the adnexa adjacent to the fallopian tube. Most cysts are small and asymptomatic, and sizes range from 1 cm to 8 cm in diameter.

These cysts are found during surgery or any imaging examination. Larger cysts can reach a size of more than 20 cm in diameter and then become symptomatic exerting pressure and pain in the lower abdomen.

Complications That Can Arise From An Ovarian Cyst

During a pelvic exam, doctors can find some less common types of cysts. Ovarian cysts that develop after menopause might be cancerous, so it’s important to have regular pelvic examinations. The complications associated with ovarian cysts include-

Diagnosis Of Ovarian Cyst

Most ovarian cysts do not have any symptoms and go away on their own. If some women have pain or irregular periods, they might visit a doctor. Some of the ovarian cyst diagnosis options include:

Pelvic Examination

A doctor during a pelvic exam uses an instrument to widen the vagina and look at the vagina, cervix, uterus, and other reproductive organs to see any changes or lumps.

Ultrasound

If he finds any cyst manually, he will order an ultrasound, which helps to understand the size, shape, location and composition (solid or fluid-filled) of the cyst.

Pregnancy Test

He may also order a pregnancy test, a positive test may suggest, that there is a presence of a corpus luteum cyst.

CA 125 Blood Test

If the cyst is partially solid, and one is at a higher risk of ovarian cancer, the doctor might order an aCA 125 blood test. Blood levels of a protein called cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) are often elevated in a woman with ovarian cancer. However, elevated CA 125 levels are also found in non-cancerous conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Other Blood Tests

If a woman is under 40, then the doctor might order other blood tests like LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), AFP (alfa- fetoprotein and HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), These are all tumour markers to check whether the cyst is a type of cancer called the germ cell tumour, though these are very rare.

CT Scan

A body imaging device is used to create cross-sectional images of internal organs. CT scans do not see small ovarian tumours well, but they can see large tumours and are also able to see if the tumour is growing into nearby structures.

It also finds enlarged lymph nodes, can see signs of cancer spreading to the liver or other organs or signs if an ovarian tumour is affecting the kidney or bladder.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging is a test that uses magnetic fields to produce in-depth images of internal organs. If the doctor finds the cyst as a solid mass, he might recommend an MRI.

Treatment Of Ovarian Cyst

The treatment of an ovarian cyst depends on the age of the patient, the type, size and symptoms of the cyst. The ovarian cyst treatment plan goes as below:

Watchful Waiting

As the majority of cysts disappear after a few weeks or months, a doctor may not immediately recommend a treatment plan. If there is no symptom and an ultrasound report only shows a simple, small fluid-filled cyst, it is advised to wait and watch and again re-examine if necessary, to see if the cyst has gone on its own.

Birth Control Pills

In case of a repeat occurrence of ovarian cysts, the doctor may give oral contraceptive pills to inhibit ovulation and avoid the formation of fresh cysts.

Ovarian Cyst Prevention

It is not possible to completely prevent ovarian cysts, although an annual gynaecology check-up can help in early detection of ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are mostly non-cancerous but you must see the doctor because the symptoms of ovarian cancer are almost same to that of an ovarian cyst hence wrong diagnosis is needed.

When to See a Doctor

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:

Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent complications and preserve fertility.

How Can Medicover Fertility Assist You In Coping With Ovarian Cyst?

Medicover Fertility is a renowned international brand. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced doctors who help couples dealing with infertility and we have a high success rate.

Medicover Fertility has a very high fertility success rate as we use the latest technology in fertility treatments. Here the couples are carefully examined to find out the actual cause of infertility. There are counsellors to take care of the emotional aspect of a patient.

As we know all ovarian cysts do not cause infertility. Some cysts tend to go on their own. But some like polycystic ovary syndrome, endometrioma, and some ovarian tumours might cause infertility. Women need to read the signs and symptoms of their body and need to visit a doctor when a symptom is bothering them.

Medicover Fertility treated many patients of Polycystic ovary syndrome and other cysts and tumours affecting fertility by retrieving healthy eggs and advanced processes of IVF for those patients.

Frequently Asked Questions