About this topic
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac on or inside an ovary. Women have two ovaries. Ovaries are almond-shaped organs in your lower belly. Each month, one of the ovaries produces an egg. The egg is inside of a very small sac called a follicle. Normally, the follicle breaks open and the egg travels down the fallopian tube. If the follicle does not break open, the egg will stay inside of the sac and may form a cyst. Sometimes, the egg is released but blood and other fluids become trapped in the sac to form a cyst. Often the cysts are controlled by hormones. Cysts may vary in size. Some cysts contain small pieces of hair, fat, or other tissues. ‚
Your doctor may remove the cyst with surgery if the cyst is: ‚
- Causing pain and bleeding
- Too big and is pressing on other organs
- Not fluid-filled and feels solid
- Suspected of being cancerous
Your doctor may have also had to remove your ovary. You may have had tissue sent to the lab for more tests. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting, pulling, or pushing things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- Your bowel movements may take some time to get back to normal. Eat small meals high in fiber. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day to avoid hard stools.
- Use a small pillow to put pressure on your belly to make you more comfortable when you cough, laugh, or do other actions.
- You can expect some bleeding from your vagina for a few weeks. You may use sanitary pads but not tampons.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits.
- You may have stitches or staples. If so, your doctor will often want to remove the stitches or staples in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Your doctor will tell you if you need other drugs like hormone therapy. You may need lubricants for sex if your hormones have changed. Talk to your doctor about any changes.
- If one ovary was removed and you plan to get pregnant, your doctor may send you to a fertility expert.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Rest for the first few days after the procedure. Avoid activities like heavy lifting and hard exercise. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Wound infection
- Bleeding
- Part of the belly may protrude out (hernia)
- Ovarian cysts come back
- Blood clots in your legs and lungs
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
If you have recurrent ovarian cysts, birth control pills may help prevent the cysts from coming back. Ask your doctor if birth control pills may help you. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of wound infection such as swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, or throwing up.
Where can I learn more?
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq075.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120228T0235259267 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚