Since most functional cysts disappear within 60 days without any treatment, a physician is likely to monitor a patient over one to three months to determine whether the cyst has changed in size. This is a common practice for women of childbearing age who have no symptoms and have a simple fluid-filled cyst. It may also be an option for some postmenopausal women.

For patients who frequently develop functional cysts, physicians may prescribe birth control pills to prevent ovulation. This lowers the chance of forming new cysts.

Surgery to remove the cyst may be recommended if any of the following conditions exist:

• The patient is postmenopausal
• The cyst does not disappear after several menstrual cycles
• The cyst has gotten larger over several cycles
• The cyst looks unusual on the ultrasound
• The cyst causes pain

There are two main surgical procedures to remove cysts or treat ruptured cysts:

• Laparoscopy. Surgery in which a lighted instrument, called a laparoscope, is inserted through a small incision into the abdomen to view organs. It may be used if the cyst is small and looks benign on the ultrasound. This procedure is done using general anesthesia. If the cyst is small and looks benign, it can be removed.
  
  
• Laparotomy. Surgical opening of the abdomen. It may be used to remove a large or suspicious cyst. While the patient remains under general anesthesia, a biopsy is conducted on the removed cyst to determine whether the cyst is cancerous. If it is cancerous, the physician may need to remove the ovary (oophorectomy) and other tissues that may be affected, such as the uterus or lymph nodes.

Cysts that form during pregnancy may be treated by surgery. Unless the cyst is cancerous, surgery is usually postponed until after the 12^th week of pregnancy, because the cyst may be producing hormones vital to the pregnancy. These cysts often disappear spontaneously. However, surgery may be necessary before the 12^th week if a cyst continues to enlarge or is tender to the touch.

Ovarian cysts cannot be prevented in women who are ovulating. However conditions that prevent ovulation, such as the use of birth control pills, pregnancy and menopause, reduce the risk of developing cysts.

Regular pelvic exams are a good way to help ensure that changes in ovaries are diagnosed as early as possible. It is recommended that patients also monitor menstrual cycles for abnormalities.