Your course of treatment for an ovarian cyst generally depends on the kind of cyst that you are diagnosed with. Most cysts go unnoticed by women, simply disappearing before they are even noticed, however, in some cases, an ovarian cyst may cause pain and bleeding, leading a woman to seek medical attention. For most women, a functional ovarian cyst, which is the most common, will simply disappear on its own without effort or any further needed medications or treatment.

There are a few different courses of treatment for an ovarian cyst ranging from simple and non invasive to more complex procedures. If a cyst lasts more than a few months or becomes abnormally large, they are generally removed and examined to ensure that they are, in fact not something more harmful. If you have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and suddenly experience nausea and vomiting, or extreme pain, seek emergency medical attention as this may be a sign of ovarian torsion and emergency surgery will be needed to treat it.

For the more common functional cysts, pain can generally be managed at home using over the counter pain relief such as the anti-inflammatory medicines, ibuprofen or acetaminophen are usually sufficient, though sometimes your doctor may prescribe narcotic pain relief. You'll need to avoid strenuous activity to reduce the risks or rupture or torsion, as well. Usually a doctor will monitor the cyst using ultrasound or ultrasonic observation and also prescribe oral contraceptives, which will regulate your menstrual cycle and prevent the forming of follicles which cause the cysts, also reducing the size of the already existing cyst. Skipping the sugar pills and preventing your period from coming can also help, as this prevents cysts from forming with the releasing of eggs. This treatment for an ovarian cyst is usually enough and yields a high rate of success, though in some less common cases where the cyst grows too large or shows signs of being cancerous, laparoscopy or a laparotomy may be needed. In some cases where the cysts are not cancerous, a cystectomy may be used to remove the cysts, leaving the ovaries intact, however, in some cases where cancer may be a concern, an oophorectomy, which does involve removal of the ovaries may be needed.

Ordinarily, small cysts that show no signs of being cancerous in premenopausal women are monitored for two weeks to a month, and no further follow up is needed. Some women have found great advantage to homeopathic treatment, such as antioxidant supplements or herbal remedies, but this is something that you will want to discuss with your doctor as not all herbal remedies are right for each woman. Usually, an ovarian cyst is not serious and can be treated effectively at home, so, this is not something that is cause for alarm and can be remedied rather easily and with the use of oral contraceptives, often prevented from reoccurrence.