Ovarian Cysts Health Video

Video Transcript

DR. MIEKE D. LANE: Hi, I'm Doctor Mieke Lane, I work at Cascadia Women's Clinic in Vancouver, Washington. Today I want to speak with to you regarding ovarian cyst. These are cyst that can be benign or cancerous. It's normal for ovaries to make cyst each month. You may hear the terms simple, follicular or corpus luteum cyst. These are benign cyst that form on a reoccurring basis. The cysts are typically asymptomatic and can range in size from one to eight centimeters. Usually, our bodies will reabsorb these cyst and they will not cause any problems. If you do become symptomatic, you may experience abdominal pain or bloating. For evaluation, your health care provider will do a public exam and likely order an ultrasound with possible blood work. On ultrasound, the cyst will typically look like a water balloon, very simple looking in appearance, thin walls with clear fluid. You maybe monitored for four to six weeks with a repeat ultrasound to verify that the cyst has resolved or started on birth control pills to help hasten the resolution of a cyst. If the cyst remains or becomes larger, it's recommended to have the cyst removed. If your health care provider suspects ovarian cancer, you will have further work of possibly involving a gynecologist, oncologist. Contact your health care provider if you have other concerns.