When is an ovarian cyst considered a danger and requires surgery?

Ovarian cysts are a common problem that can occur in every woman, especially in women who are still menstruating. Cysts are not really a serious problem because they can go away on their own. However, there are also cysts that can cause painful symptoms and need special treatment to heal them. When should an ovarian cyst be operated on?

Can ovarian cysts be a danger?

Ovarian cysts are small, fluid-filled sacs that form on your ovaries. During the menstrual cycle, these cysts usually appear and go away on their own without you knowing, because they don't cause symptoms.

However, ovarian cysts that are allowed to grow and enlarge can cause a variety of painful symptoms. Such as, enlarged or swollen abdomen, pelvic pain before and after menstruation, pelvic pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), abdominal pressure, nausea, and vomiting.

Some of the symptoms can also indicate that an ovarian cyst is dangerous. If you experience symptoms like the ones below, you should see a doctor immediately.

Pain in the abdomen or pelvis suddenly.
Fever.
Gag.
Dizziness, weakness, and feel like passing out.
Breath becomes faster.

If you experience these symptoms, it means that you need medical attention immediately. These symptoms can indicate the cyst has burst or dislodged. Sometimes, these large, ruptured cysts cause heavy bleeding. The above symptoms can also indicate ovarian torsion (twisted ovary). This is both an emergency and a danger.

When should an ovarian cyst be operated on?

When ovarian cysts need special treatment can be determined by the following:

The size and appearance of the cyst.
Your symptoms.
Whether you have experienced menopause or not, this is because women who have menopause and have ovarian cysts have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.

So, if you have a cyst after you go through menopause, then you will need to have surgery to remove the cyst. Apart from menopausal reasons, ovarian cysts should be operated on if:

The cyst does not go away after going through several menstrual cycles, at least in 2-3 months.
The size of the cyst is getting bigger, the cyst is bigger than 7.6 cm.
Cysts look unusual on ultrasound, for example they are not simple functional cysts.
The cyst causes pain.
Cysts can develop into ovarian cancer.

Two types of surgery to remove ovarian cysts

If you feel the symptoms due to the cyst getting bigger, you should talk to your doctor about whether you need to have surgery right away or not. There are two types of surgery that you can choose from to remove a cyst, namely:

Laparoscopy

This procedure is an operation that is less painful and requires faster recovery time. This operation is performed by inserting a laparoscope (a small tube-shaped microscope with a camera and light at the end) into your stomach through a keyhole or small incision in the abdomen. Then, gas is filled into your stomach to make it easier for the doctor to perform the procedure. After that, the cyst is removed and the incision in your stomach is closed with dissolvable sutures.

Laparotomy

This operation is performed if the cyst is very large or there is a possibility that the cyst will develop into cancer. Laparotomy is done by making a single incision in your stomach, then the doctor removes the cyst and closes the incision with stitches.

If your cyst doesn't require surgery, your doctor may suggest that you take pain medication to relieve the pain. Or, your doctor will prescribe you a contraceptive, such as a pill, vaginal ring, or injection to help prevent ovulation. This can lower your chances of developing more cysts.