Treatment of Ovarian Cysts in New York

Ovarian cyst are sacs of fluid that develop in the ovary. These fluid collections can occur on one or both sides, and can be very small or grow to huge proportions. "Functional" cysts are the normal fluid collections that develop every month in a reproductive-aged woman. These cysts occur naturally during egg production as a result of your body's hormonal cycle. Other cysts are "pathologic:" They do not belong in the ovary, and if present, must be treated. Some cysts in fact, are malignant; these ovarian cancers must be identified early if treatment is to be successful.

Because there are so many types of ovarian cysts, any known or suspected ovarian cyst should be evaluated promptly by a New York gynecologist. Doctors Saad, Scarantino, and Ortega at the Woman's Health Pavilion are well versed in the diagnosis and management of ovarian cysts, and can offer the most up to date treatments available. If you think you might have an ovarian cyst, we encourage you to call us as soon as possible.

The most common symptom of an ovarian cyst is pelvic pain on one or both sides. A slowly growing cyst may produce mild or moderate pain, pressure, or heaviness over weeks to months. Some women will also have bleeding abnormalities as a result of ovarian cysts. This occurs because some cysts produce hormones, and can alter your normal menstrual cycle. If a cyst happens to twist or rupture, the resulting pains is usually sudden and quite severe, and the consequences can be serious.

Technically, ovulation is a type of cyst rupture: In the ovary, eggs develop within a sac of fluid called a "follicle." When the egg is ready to be released-generally two weeks after your period started-the follicle bursts, and a small amount of fluid spills out with the egg into your pelvis. While this process is completely normal, ovulation can be very painful for some women. Painful ovulation is known as mittleshmerz and commonly lands women in the emergency room. If you suffer from mittleshmerz, effective treatments are readily available.

Cysts are usually diagnosed by sonography (ultrasound). This technique uses sound waves to "see" structures inside your body, and provides excellent images of fluid-filled structures like cysts. Ultrasound can be performed over your lower abdomen, or preferably, using a probe in the vagina. Trans-vaginal ultrasound is not painful, and allows us to see details of cyst structure, since it allows us to get so close to the cyst while viewing it.

Once diagnosed, a treatment plan can be developed. Occasionally, it can be prudent to simply monitor a small cyst, but in most cases, persistent ovarian cysts will need to be removed. In most cases, ovarian cysts are removed laparoscopically, using a telescope inserted through your navel. This makes for an easy recovery, and a rapid return to your usual activities.

If you suspect that you have an ovarian cyst, we encourage you to be evaluated at The Woman's Health Pavilion. If you've had tests like sonograms or CAT scans done, bring the results with you to your consultation. We can help you to understand the results, and work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your goals and expectations.