Ovarian Cysts

Women with large or symptomatic ovarian cysts need expert, gentle care. If you’re struggling with unexplained pelvic pain and bloating, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz MD, PA, and his exceptional team in Miami and Hialeah, HCA Florida Kendall Regional Hospital, diagnose and remove problematic ovarian cysts (if necessary). To book your ovarian cyst consultation, call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.

What is an ovarian cyst?

Your ovaries are two almond-shaped organs positioned on each side of your uterus. They produce the eggs that release during ovulation for possible fertilization and pregnancy. 

Small cysts sometimes form on the ovaries, but they disappear on their own. In some cases, however, cysts can grow large, cause pain and discomfort, or become cancerous.  

When an ovarian cyst grows large, it has the potential to move your ovary and twist it — causing immediate, extreme pain. This, along with ovarian cyst ruptures, are emergencies that require prompt medical attention. 

What are the symptoms of an ovarian cyst?

Ovarian cysts don’t usually cause symptoms that resolve on their own. But, they have the potential to cause problems like:

• Bloating
• A heavy feeling in the abdomen and pelvic region
• Sharp pain or a dull ache in the lower belly (on the side where the cyst exists)

Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz MD, PA, and his team may discover benign, non-symptomatic cysts during a routine pelvic exam or ultrasound. Ovarian cysts that develop after menopause are of special concern because they’re more likely to be cancerous.

How is an ovarian cyst treated?

In the case of small ovarian cysts that aren’t causing symptoms, the team will likely recommend a watch-and-wait approach. They will schedule periodic ultrasounds to ensure the cysts don’t grow or cause discomfort. 

For large or growing cysts, the team suggests minimally invasive surgery. Cysts with these characteristics put you at risk of complications like torsion or rupture. 

They may suggest the removal of ovarian cysts that persist through two or three menstrual cycles or that cause pain. Removal of cancerous cysts is also vital to prevent cancer from spreading. 

What should I expect during surgery to remove an ovarian cyst?

The team removes ovarian cysts with minimally invasive surgery. The process uses tiny incisions and instruments, which means less scarring, faster recovery, and fewer complications. Usually, the surgery happens on an outpatient basis, so you go home the same day to recover. 

Whenever possible, the team retains the ovary when removing the cyst. But, in some cases, the affected ovary must be removed, leaving the other intact. It might be harder to conceive when you have just one working ovary, but it’s still possible.

To learn more about ovarian cyst treatment, call Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz MD, PA, or schedule an appointment online at the office nearest you today.