# Ovarian Cysts: Should You Panic When You Hear the Word? > What is an ovarian cyst, which ones go away on their own, which are only followed up, and when are treatment or urgent care needed? Frequently asked… Published: 7 October 2026 · Medically reviewed by: Op. Dr. Murat Alpay **What is an ovarian cyst, which ones go away on their own, which are only followed up, and when are treatment or urgent care needed? Frequently asked questions.** "You have a cyst on your ovary" is a sentence that makes many women think of cancer and surgery right away. In reality, most ovarian cysts are benign (non-cancerous), a natural result of the menstrual cycle, and go away on their own. This article explains what a cyst is, which types only need to be followed, when treatment is needed and which symptoms call for urgent care. For how we evaluate cysts at the clinic, see our [ovarian cyst](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/yumurtalik-kisti/) page. ## What Is an Ovarian Cyst and How Common Is It? An ovarian cyst is a small sac that develops inside or on the surface of the ovary, surrounded by a thin or thick wall and filled with fluid or tissue. It is very common in women of reproductive age. In routine exams and ultrasounds, a cyst is found by chance in roughly 4-7% of women who are being checked for another reason. ## Are All Cysts the Same? Main Types **Functional cysts (related to the menstrual cycle):** This is the most common type and comes from the normal working of the ovary. - **Follicular cyst:** Each month, egg sacs (follicles) mature. If a follicle cannot burst and release the egg, it fills with fluid and keeps growing. On ultrasound it looks thin-walled, filled with clear fluid and single-chambered; its size is usually 3-8 cm. - **Corpus luteum cyst:** After ovulation, the structure left behind (the corpus luteum) may fail to shrink for longer than usual or may bleed inside. It can cause a dull ache in the groin or a delayed period. Neither type turns into cancer. **Other types of cysts:** - **Dermoid cyst (mature cystic teratoma):** A benign cyst containing mature tissue such as hair, fat and cartilage. It is the most common tumor-type cyst in young women and does not shrink on its own. - **Endometrioma ("chocolate cyst"):** Tissue similar to the lining of the uterus settles in the ovary and bleeds with every period; the cyst is filled with thick, old blood. It has a "ground glass" look on ultrasound. - **Cystadenoma:** Benign cysts that grow from cells on the surface of the ovary. They may contain clear fluid or a jelly-like fluid, some can grow very large, and they do not go away by themselves. ## What Are the Symptoms? Most simple and functional cysts cause no symptoms at all and are noticed by chance at a check-up or ultrasound. When symptoms do occur, they may include: - A dull ache, fullness or heaviness in the lower abdomen and groin - Irregular periods or a delayed period - Pain during intercourse - Frequent urination, difficulty urinating or constipation if the cyst presses on the bladder or bowel ## Is the Cyst Benign or Suspicious? What Is Looked For on Ultrasound? The doctor judges how much concern is needed from the way the cyst looks. - **Benign appearance:** Thin, smooth-walled, single-chambered cysts filled with clear fluid, with no solid parts or projections inside and no marked blood flow on Doppler (blood-flow) imaging. - **Appearance that needs a closer look:** A thick and irregular wall, thick internal partitions, solid areas inside, fluid in the abdomen and rich blood flow. In some cases a blood test for tumor markers (such as CA-125) is also requested, especially for cysts after menopause and cysts with a complex appearance. CA-125 alone is not a cancer screening test: it can rise in ovarian cancer but also in endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic infection, pregnancy and during a period. That is why the result is interpreted together with the ultrasound and the exam, not on its own. ## Which Cysts Are Only Followed? In women of reproductive age, simple cysts that cause no symptoms, have thin walls, clear contents and smooth borders (especially those smaller than 5-7 cm) are not operated on straight away; they are followed. - Most follicular and corpus luteum cysts shrink and disappear on their own within 1-3 months (2-3 menstrual cycles). - For follow-up, a repeat ultrasound is usually done after 6-12 weeks, preferably just after a period ends, to see whether the cyst has shrunk. - After menopause, simple cysts smaller than 5 cm that cause no symptoms and have a normal CA-125 level can be followed every 4-6 months. ## Do Birth Control Pills Shrink an Existing Cyst? No. Combined birth control pills have not been shown to speed up the disappearance of an existing functional cyst. The purpose of the pills is not to treat the current cyst but to suppress ovulation and so prevent new functional cysts from forming in the future. ## When Is Treatment or Surgery Needed? - Cysts that do not shrink or keep growing over 2-3 months of follow-up - Cysts larger than 8-10 cm - Cysts with suspicious features such as solid areas or thick partitions - Emergencies such as twisting (torsion) or severe internal bleeding - Cysts that persist or look suspicious after menopause In many cases this can be done with a closed method ([laparoscopic surgery](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/laparoskopik-cerrahi/)); the method depends on the type and size of the cyst, the woman's age and whether she wants children. Results may vary from person to person in any surgical or interventional procedure. It is advisable to obtain a detailed opinion from your doctor before the procedure. ## Do Cysts Turn into Cancer? Functional cysts (follicular and corpus luteum) do not turn into cancer. In simple cysts, the chance of cancer is below 1%. In dermoid cysts the risk is also very low (below 2%) and is usually seen in women over 50. Situations that need more attention: - New or complex-looking cysts found after menopause - A family history of ovarian or breast cancer (inherited predispositions such as BRCA1/BRCA2 and Lynch syndrome) - Never having given birth For this reason, cysts after menopause and cysts in women with a family history of cancer are followed more carefully. ## Cysts, Pregnancy and Fertility - Simple and functional cysts do not prevent getting pregnant. - A corpus luteum cyst that forms in the first weeks of pregnancy is natural; it produces the hormone progesterone needed to keep the pregnancy going and usually shrinks by itself by about week 16. - Large endometriomas can cause adhesions (scar-like bands) around the ovaries and tubes, disturb their structure and make it harder to get pregnant. - Large cysts of 6-10 cm found during pregnancy may carry a higher risk of twisting, so they are followed more closely. ## Situations That Need Urgent Care **Ovarian torsion (twisting of the ovary):** The weight of the cyst turns the ovary around the vessels that feed it and cuts off its blood flow. The risk is higher in cysts of 5 cm and above. Sudden, severe, cramping groin and abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting is seen. It is a surgical emergency; action is needed without delay so the ovary can be preserved. **Cyst rupture (a cyst bursting):** The cyst wall tears and its contents leak into the abdominal cavity. It usually appears as sharp pelvic pain that starts suddenly during exercise or intercourse. Rupture of a corpus luteum cyst can cause serious bleeding into the abdomen and low blood pressure. Go to an emergency department without delay in the following situations: - Sudden, severe, cramping groin or abdominal pain - Severe nausea and vomiting with the pain - Dizziness, blurred vision, cold sweats, a feeling of fainting or marked weakness - Sudden swelling and hardness of the abdomen with extreme tenderness to touch ## Frequently Asked Questions ### I have an ovarian cyst. Do I definitely need surgery? No. In women of reproductive age, most simple and functional cysts that cause no symptoms do not need surgery; they shrink on their own within 1-3 months. Surgery is considered for cysts that do not shrink, keep growing, are very large or look suspicious, and in emergencies. ### Does a cyst always cause pain? No. Most cysts cause no symptoms and are found by chance. Pain is mostly seen when a cyst grows, presses on nearby organs, bleeds or twists. ### Is a chocolate cyst the same as a normal cyst? No. A chocolate cyst (endometrioma) develops because of endometriosis and does not go away on its own; unlike functional cysts, it needs to be evaluated separately. ### Can a cyst stop me from getting pregnant? Simple and functional cysts do not prevent pregnancy. Large endometriomas can cause adhesions and make it harder to get pregnant. Written and reviewed by **Op. Dr. Murat Alpay** Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology · Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (Çapa) [Full biography →](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/hakkinda/) [← All posts](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/blog/) --- Original page: https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/blog/yumurtalik-kisti-duyunca-panik-gerekir-mi/ Last updated: 2026-10-07 Op. Dr. Murat Alpay — Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Op. Dr. Murat Alpay Practice, Tekelioğlu Cd. No:51 B Kat:2, Filo Apt., 07160 Muratpaşa / Antalya 0505 351 77 88 · Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 · Closed on Sunday *This information is for general guidance only and does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment.*