How long does it normally take for an ovarian cyst to go away by itself?

[beaglesaresweet]

talking about a simple follicular cyst, which when first scanned was 5cm and then after a month between 6 and 7cm, andstayed that size after further two months. No idea how long has it been there as they have no way of telling.
Is there any way to cause it to 'collapse' as they put it - any hormone-supporting herbal stuff even? They keep saying it's simple and 'not looking nasty' and not twisted but it's not small and who wants an op?

thanks, pink. I have read before the thread what I could find, but will look at your link too. The only thing that's puzzling about your is, if you say they are a product of ovulation only, how could one appear in a post menopausal woman?
As to irregular cycles - it's very common with a cyst (that's often how they suspect it at first), even a few posters on here said they were irregular - but I was interested whether one going or bursting would cause a period straight after - I can't find this info anywhere. I couldn't find any clear answers as to how long can they be left alone / how long before they disappear, usually everyone refers to 'under a year' so it was good to hear your story as mine may well have been there a year though unfortunately hasn't got smaller, and is nearly 7cm - I'm just panicking as I don't want a procedure. Was quite upset at the last scan that it hasn't gone or got smaller, but at least it stopped getting larger, it seems.

Just to clear up my experience, I was almost post menopause- and having the very occasional light period at 53-54. No one knows how long I'd already had the cyst as it was discovered as part of a gynae check up (MOT).
Why do you think that if a cyst bursts it would cause a period? Ovulation and periods are controlled by -partly- the pituitary gland in the brain and other hormones - a cyst which bursts won't as far as I know create a period.
I think you need to ask your consultant for answers- they will all have different ideas. The general 'rule' is leave cysts under 5 cm alone and deal with larger ones if they cause a problem or look suspicious.

Im also having lots of pain which Im assuming is caused by a cyst as well.

I keep getting what I thought first of all was Urine Infections right in the middle of my cycle-Id have 2/3 days when I was constantly in and out of the toilet. Doctor tested urine and it was all fine. Its been about 3 months now but I only realised last month that it was completely in the middle of my cycle.

Saw GP and she said it was probably a cyst and to see how the pain goes and to basically write down when it comes. Its always on my right hand side and at the moment its like a dull tugging pain really deep in my stomach (almost like Ive got a permanent stitch). Need to go back to the doctor and get referred I suppose.

ihearttc, I think you would be worth asking for a referral at least for a scan. I know that cysts are really common but you should get it checked if it's causing pain every cycle.
beagles, I know what you mean about wanting to avoid surgery. I was exactly the same but I am so glad that I did it. I wasn't aware how much it was affecting me until it was gone. The pain after surgery is manageable and lessens every day. They gave me good drugs! To answer your earlier question, I didn't get any antibiotics afterwards but I have no idea if they gave me an antibiotic injection in theatre.

Hi,
I'm just recovering from the op. I had the cyst diagnosed in Feb (following years of strong ovulation pain which in December stayed for the entire month). The follow up scan in April confirmed it was still there. Saw gynae in June and he said as it was nearly 5cm it should be taken out to prevent complications in the future. All that time they thought it was a dermoid but turned out to be a serous cyst (??).

Day 6 now and I'm still in quite a lot of pain, really tired and have a foggy head/memory issues (from GA I think). I'm still glad I had it done though. There is a story in the news today about a woman dying when a cyst burst. Also I found it really difficult to get travel insurance in the summer knowing I had the cyst. A 4 day trip insurance that should of cost me £5 was £93 and only the post office would cover it. My usual insurer refused. Others offered me insurance but wouldn't cover any health issues (??!).

Hi Jesse, that all sounds so similar, even down to the timings and issues finding travel insurance (although mine wasn't nearly so expensive!).
I was sore and fuzzy for over a week and tired easily for a further week or so. Around 3 weeks after my operation, I would say I was nearly back to 'normal' but without the nagging pain I've had from the cyst for so long.
I hope you start to feel better soon

Is it normal for them to say they won't scan you again for another year? My cyst was found yesterday and is 5cm. i have been told to wait and it should go on it's own. They said the new procedure is not to re-scan unless there is more pain/other symptoms and I will get an appointment in a year's time to check it. It worries me a bit as I think I've had it for a couple of months already, it may be growing or might burst.

Also, does anyone know if you're still fertile when you have a large cyst on an ovary? I am quite late for my period and the doctor who scanned me said this was due to the cyst. Does this mean I won't ovulate until it goes?

I think the scans might be down to where you live. At my first scan they would only say suspected cyst. This was down at a local gp practice. I was the recalled in a couple of months. That confirmed it was still there and I was referred to the womens hospital nearby.

Re fertility I don't think it would really affect fertility as you could still have follicles elsewhere on ovary and also the other ovary.

I would definitely mention that you have had pain though.

amatuermummy, I was rescanned within a few months. I was in pain so I don't know if that affected the timing? I would go back to the GP and tell them you are concerned and would like a repeat scan sooner than a year.
Hopefully someone else can answer your other questions.

Hi all I got diagnosed with a cyst last October. I am PETRIFIED of having a GA it's my biggest fear. I got told initially by the scan lady that mine was a bilocular cyst and it would be best operated on to be removed. Cue huge panic! Anyway I nervously went along to my scans and gynae apts, was put on 3 monthly 'watch and wait' scans and told my cyst was a simple fluid filled one. Also got told at last scan I had a fibroid. Oh joy of joys! So last saw consultant a few months ago he has discharged me from their care and said cyst is nothing to worry about. My CA 125 bloods were all normal too. But I too still feel slight pain, he says it would be the cyst??! So I've buried my head in the sand as doc of being prodded and poked! Also scared of being told I need an op! X

Consultant said it WOULDNT be the cyst that's meant to say!

Thank you for the answers, I have had pain from it - sometimes quite sharp and at the moment it's like a bad period pain all the time. I'm also still feeling really sick and unwell all the time so I will go to the GP again.

Amateur I really need to go back too but as Ive said I've kinda switched off from it! Lol

Shoegal, you should go. I hate going to GP too often, I always think I'm making a fuss but there are times when we need to do it.
Don't be worried about a GA , I've had several in my life and they are fine. You just feel all woozy and fall asleep, nothing to be scared of. Although, chances are you wont even need it, best to get it checked.

Yes you're right ....... Just I got told that cyst was nothing to worry about so not sure what's causing pain? Bowels? IBS? Who knows lol? X

Well, my cyst is definitely causing me pain and the doctor said she was really surprised I wasn't in more pain than I am, so it is likely to be that.

I get them regularly but definately more as i've got older and heavier. I've had one burst and had shooting pains down my leg. Weirdly seem to always be on right hand side. Get bloaty belly and sometimes similar symptoms to having a urine infection as presses on bladder.

Biggest one they actually scanned me for was almost 10cm. The week I was meant to get it sorted though I found out I was pregnant and it had gone by 12 week scan.

thanks all for your stories, it's somehow comforting to read them even though they are wildly different and advice from the docs seem to be contradictory to say the least!
ijustwanna, what happened after your cyst had burst? did you then have that shooting pain and for how long? did you have other symptoms and had to go to a&e or something or has it all settled quickly? Was it follicular and simple?
Yes, just seen that story about a 30yr old woman dying of the burst cyst as no one treated her despite the fact she was vomiting for hours in the waiting room of A&E. But to be fair it made the news as it's unusual. I've been told my one scan woman that yes they burst, you just feel 'a sharp sensations' and that's it (?!), otoh I've read elsewhere that it's very painful for up to a week if they burst.
I'm not sure what's worse - bursting or the op! both carry risk of infection. So much better if hthy just go. It's amazing , ijust, that your 12cm cyst has just gone - do you think you remember any sensation about the time it was supposed to go?
Shoegal, very strange you were just dismissed and no repeat scan scheduled. Is it very small? less than 5cm? then I understand, otherwise strange. I also get some discomfort similarto ibs but worse during period, though I wouldn't call it pain, and it comes and goes. I once felt stringer pain and felt a bit queasy and though - maybe that means it burst/have gone - but no a month on it was there. Seems though that where I am they don't mind scanning often - I had three in 5 months thoug hthe first one was for the kidney (external) and it showed then.

With the one that burst i was in pain all night like a very bad period but one sided and started getting pains down leg. Didn't know it was a cyst at this point but had had before so assumed so. Went docs. She said go home and she would ring later and if still in pain to go a+e. Then had sharp sudden pain and then eased off. But needed to pee loads over next few hours for some reason.

The large one they found on a scan. Couldn't fasten work pants for months and getting twinges. Lower abdoninal pain and must of been pressing on bladder. Was due to go get rechecked but had to cancel due to pregnancy. It went on it's own. No idea what type they were.

They whipped mine out (two 6cm by 7cm) during a c section but it messed up tubes I think. I later had a laparoscopy for fertility reasons and my tubes were stuck to my bowls

Hi I was repeat scanned and bloods for a year. Doc says now it's nothing to worry about! It's around 3-4cm. But I can feel it! X

My dd likely has an ovarian cyst at the moment, she had several days off school and is on really strong painkiller/anti inflamatories. We are currently waiting for a scan. She had another one last year that burst - we went to A&E because she was in so much pain and they scanned her there and said it had ruptured already. I think that this one might well have ruptured too, but we'll see I guess. We'll probably push for her to go on the pill to avoid it happening again.

thanks, ijustwanna, good to know what to expect with a burst cyst - lucky that when it has burst, you didn't need any intervention. Were you at least given antibiotics? surely they do this to prevent infection? as with this woman in the news it burst and caused organ failure so they must try to prevent this kind of thing?! mind you she has been vomiting for hours. I'm just amazed how docs seem to just play roulette with this and hope for the best.
nooka, did you daughter get anti-bs after it ruptured? is she very irregular with periods? hope it goes ok with the scan. NOt sure about the pill it's not great to mess with hormones so early on imo but see what docs say.

Shoegal, well that's very small! they never bother with anything under 6cm. You may feel it depending where it is - maybe it presses on bladder or bowels. But really that's so small and should just go especially if it's already got smaller. It may still get larger so would be worth checking in 6 months or so esp if you feel more of a discomfort.

Thanks I think I'm going to do exactly that...... Leave it till after Christmas and if it still aches I'll go back to see my GP. Last Christmas was ruined as I'd just been diagnosed with this 'bilocular' cyst that the sonographer put the fear of God in me about! Didn't have my first gynae apt till early Jan so spent all Christmas worrying I'd have to have it removed. As I've said my biggest fear in the world, apart from something happening to my son, is having a GA.

Wasnt offered antibiotics. By the evening I felt fine. Never really thought about it at the time though.(was about 10 years ago) If i'd still been bad that night or sick I would've gone to a+e.