Ovarian Cysts

What are ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in or on your ovaries. The cysts are common during ovulation when your body releases an egg each month. Ovarian cysts are usually harmless, present no symptoms, and can resolve without interventional treatment.

However, if one of your ovaries produces many small cysts at the same time, you can suffer from the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS often causes problems within your ovaries and makes it challenging for you to become pregnant.

What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?

While most cysts go unnoticed until you have a pelvic exam, a large ovarian cyst can cause:

• Dull, aching pain or a sharp pain in your lower abdomen
• Feelings of fullness and bloating
• Swelling or pressure on one side of your lower abdomen
• Pain during your period
• Pain during sex

Cysts that bleed or burst typically cause severe and sudden pain. If you have this experience, contact Dr. LeBel’s office right away to seek treatment.

Am I at risk of developing ovarian cysts?

Although any woman can develop an ovarian cyst, certain risk factors that increase your chances include:

• Pregnancy
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic infections
• Hormonal issues
• History of ovarian cysts

In many cases, our doctors may recommend “watchful waiting” to monitor any changes in the cysts to see if they become larger or if they go away on their own. If you have bleeding or the ovarian cysts continue to grow larger, surgical removal may be the best treatment.

How does an OB/GYN surgically remove ovarian cysts?

Our providers is highly skilled at removing ovarian cysts through minimally invasive robotic surgery. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery allows the doctor to make a small incision — often through your naval — so she can remove the cysts using surgical instruments and a camera to guide her.

In many cases, she can remove just the cysts that continue to cause painful symptoms. Other times, if you have severe PCOS, the doctors may recommend removing one of your ovaries as well. Before any procedure, she educates you about your condition and treatments so you know what to expect.

If endometriosis is an underlying cause of your ovarian cysts, the providers may also uses robotic surgery to treat this condition in which uterine tissue grows outside your uterus, often around your ovaries and fallopian tubes.

If you have unexplained abdominal pain, call the office to schedule an appointment or request the next available time using the online booking tool.