Gynecology · Ovarian health
Ovarian Cyst Treatment in Gangnam: When to Watch, Treat or Operate
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac on or inside an ovary; most are harmless functional cysts that form during the menstrual cycle and disappear on their own within a few months. At Hommage Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, OB/GYN specialist Dr. Park Yuna identifies the cyst type with ultrasound and advises whether monitoring, medical treatment or referral for surgery is right for you.
Quick answer
Ovarian cyst treatment usually starts with an ultrasound, not an operation. At Hommage Women's Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, female OB/GYN specialist Dr. Park Yuna identifies the type of cyst and then advises monitoring, pain relief, hormonal treatment for endometriomas, or hospital referral for surgery. Most functional cysts disappear on their own within 2–3 menstrual cycles, the contraceptive pill does not make an existing cyst shrink faster, and simple cysts before menopause are very rarely cancerous.
Key takeaways
- Most ovarian cysts are functional: a normal part of ovulation that resolves without treatment.
- The cyst's appearance on ultrasound matters more than its size alone; simple, thin-walled cysts are the lowest risk.
- Endometriomas and dermoid cysts do not go away on their own and need a longer-term plan.
- Sudden severe one-sided pain, especially with vomiting or fainting, can mean rupture or torsion and needs emergency care.
Infographic
Ovarian cysts in numbers
Cycles to resolve
Most functional cysts under 5 cm disappear within two to three menstrual cycles (RCOG).
Women in 8 trials
The combined pill did not speed up resolution of functional cysts in any trial (Cochrane review).
Simple cyst, no symptoms
Before menopause, generally needs no further follow-up scan (RCOG Green-top 62).
Cancer risk
For a symptomatic cyst before menopause, rising to about 3 in 1,000 at age 50 (RCOG).
Returned to normal
Of abnormal first scans in a program of 39,337 women, on later ultrasound (Pavlik 2013).
Typical recheck
When monitoring is advised at Hommage, a repeat ultrasound is usually booked in this window.
Ovarian cysts at a glance
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | A fluid-filled sac in the ovary; most are functional (cycle-related) and benign |
| Common signs | Often none; sometimes one-sided pelvic ache, bloating, pressure or pain during sex |
| How it's diagnosed | Transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound; blood tests such as CA-125 in selected cases |
| Treatment options | Watchful monitoring, pain relief, hormonal treatment, referral for surgery when needed |
| Follow-up | Usually a repeat ultrasound in 6–12 weeks for cysts that need monitoring |
| Reviewed by | Dr. Park Yuna, OB/GYN specialist |
Book an ovarian cyst assessment if you have
- A cyst found on a scan at home or abroad that needs follow-up
- A dull ache or pressure on one side of your pelvis
- Bloating or feeling full quickly that lasts for weeks
- Painful periods with a known or suspected endometrioma
- Pain during sex that is new or getting worse
Seek urgent care instead if you have
- Sudden, severe pelvic pain, especially with nausea or vomiting
- Pain with fever, fainting, dizziness or rapid breathing
- A positive pregnancy test with pelvic pain or bleeding
What is an ovarian cyst?
An ovarian cyst is a sac filled with fluid or other material that develops in or on an ovary. Ovarian cysts are very common in women of reproductive age, and the great majority are benign.
Common types of ovarian cyst
- Functional cysts: follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts form as part of ovulation. They usually cause no symptoms and resolve within one to three menstrual cycles.
- Hemorrhagic cysts: functional cysts that bleed internally. They can be painful but usually settle on their own.
- Endometriomas: “chocolate cysts” caused by endometriosis . They do not go away on their own and often cause painful periods.
- Dermoid cysts (mature teratomas): benign cysts that can contain fat, hair or other tissue. They grow slowly and do not resolve without surgery.
- Cystadenomas: benign cysts filled with watery or mucous fluid that can grow large.
Ovarian cysts are different from PCOS , in which the ovaries contain many small follicles rather than one true cyst.
What are the symptoms of an ovarian cyst?
Most ovarian cysts cause no symptoms and are found by chance during an ultrasound. When symptoms do occur, they usually come from the cyst's size or from bleeding inside it.
- A dull ache or heaviness on one side of the lower abdomen
- Bloating, a feeling of fullness or pressure on the bladder or bowel
- Pain during sex
- Painful or irregular periods
Two complications need urgent care. A ruptured cyst can cause sudden sharp pain and, occasionally, internal bleeding. Ovarian torsion, when a cyst makes the ovary twist on its blood supply, causes sudden severe one-sided pain, often with nausea and vomiting, and needs emergency surgery to save the ovary. For other causes of pelvic pain, see pelvic pain treatment .
How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?
Ovarian cysts are diagnosed with a pelvic ultrasound , which shows the cyst's size, its wall and whether it contains clear fluid, blood or solid areas. These features tell us how likely the cyst is to resolve and whether it needs further tests.
A transvaginal ultrasound gives the clearest images; a transabdominal scan is used if you prefer or are not sexually active. A pregnancy test is done when relevant. Blood tests such as CA-125 may be added for cysts with complex features or in women after menopause, but CA-125 is also raised by endometriosis, fibroids and even periods, so it is interpreted with care. If the ultrasound shows features that need closer evaluation, Dr. Park refers you to a hospital for MRI or a gynecologic oncology opinion.
Ovarian cyst treatment: monitor, treat or refer for surgery?
Most ovarian cysts do not need surgery. The right approach depends on the cyst type, its size, your symptoms, your age and whether you have reached menopause.
Monitoring (watchful waiting)
Simple, thin-walled cysts that look functional are usually rechecked with ultrasound after 6 to 12 weeks, ideally in a different phase of your cycle. Most will have shrunk or gone.
Medical treatment
Pain relief helps symptoms while a cyst resolves. Combinedbirth control pillsdo not shrink existing cysts, but by preventing ovulation they can reduce how often new functional cysts form. Endometriomas are often managed with hormonal treatment such as dienogest to control pain and slow growth.
Referral for surgery
Surgery is usually considered when a cyst is large (often above about 5 to 10 cm), persists or grows over several scans, causes ongoing symptoms, has features that are not clearly benign, or when torsion is suspected. Most operations are done by laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), often removing only the cyst and keeping the ovary. Hommage Clinic is an outpatient clinic and does not perform this surgery; Dr. Park refers you to a hospital and can continue your follow-up afterwards.
Risks and possible side effects
Watchful waiting carries a small risk that a cyst ruptures or twists before it resolves, which is why you should know the warning signs of sudden severe pain. Pain relievers can cause stomach upset. Hormonal treatments can cause spotting, breast tenderness or mood changes, and combined pills carry a small risk of blood clots, so they are not prescribed if you smoke over age 35 or have migraine with aura or a clotting history.
Laparoscopic surgery carries risks such as bleeding, infection, injury to nearby organs and, with repeated or extensive cyst surgery, a reduction in ovarian reserve. If you may want children in future, an AMH test before surgery can help guide decisions. The hospital surgical team will explain these risks in detail.
Ovarian cyst care at Hommage Clinic
Hommage Clinic is a women's clinic in Gangnam, a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station. Ovarian cyst assessments and follow-up scans are done by Dr. Park Yuna, a female OB/GYN specialist, so the same doctor compares each scan with the last. If you had a cyst found abroad, bring the report and images, and we will plan your follow-up from there.
When surgery is the safer option, we tell you honestly and arrange a hospital referral. If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, ultrasound and treatment for ovarian cysts are generally covered when there is a medical reason; visitors without coverage pay the clinic's fees directly, and we explain costs before any test. See all our gynecology services .
How cysts form
How a functional ovarian cyst forms, and why most go away
Every month one follicle, a small fluid-filled sac holding an egg, grows larger than the others. Normally it releases the egg at ovulation and then becomes the corpus luteum, a temporary gland that makes progesterone. A functional cyst forms when this normal process overshoots: the follicle keeps filling with fluid instead of releasing the egg (a follicular cyst), or the corpus luteum seals up and fills with fluid or blood (a corpus luteum cyst).
Because they are part of the cycle, functional cysts usually shrink as hormone levels change. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists notes that simple cysts under 5 cm usually resolve over two to three menstrual cycles without any treatment. This is why Dr. Park often recommends a repeat scan in a different phase of your cycle before deciding anything else.
Your scan report
Simple vs complex ovarian cyst: what your ultrasound means
Words like “simple”, “complex” or “septated” on a scan report can be alarming, but they describe what the cyst looks like, not a diagnosis. A simple cyst has a thin smooth wall and clear fluid with nothing inside it; this is the lowest-risk appearance. “Complex” only means there is something more inside, such as blood, thin partitions or a solid area, and many complex cysts are still benign.
Many radiologists now use O-RADS US, a scoring system from the American College of Radiology that sorts findings from category 1 (a normal follicle) to category 5 (high risk). Category 2 means “almost certainly benign”, with a malignancy risk under 1%. Dr. Park explains your category, compares it with any earlierpelvic ultrasoundand tells you what, if anything, needs to happen next.
Simple cyst
Thin wall, clear fluid. Usually functional and the most reassuring finding.
Hemorrhagic cyst
A lace-like pattern from bleeding inside a functional cyst. Often painful, usually settles.
Endometrioma
Even “ground-glass” fluid from old blood, linked to endometriosis. Does not resolve on its own.
Dermoid cyst
Bright areas from fat or other tissue. Benign but slow-growing; often removed.
Solid part or blood flow
Needs closer evaluation, often MRI or a specialist hospital opinion.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
The cyst's appearance on ultrasound guides every next step. Illustrative photo.
Size and follow-up
Ovarian cyst size chart: when to watch and when to act
“How big is too big?” is one of the most searched questions about ovarian cysts. Size is only part of the answer: a 4 cm cyst with a solid area needs more attention than a 6 cm simple cyst. For simple cysts in women who have not reached menopause and have no symptoms, the RCOG guideline and the O-RADS system give a useful guide, shown below. Guidelines differ somewhat: the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that simple cysts up to 10 cm on a good-quality transvaginal scan are likely benign and can often be monitored without surgery, even after menopause.
| Finding | What it usually means | Typical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 cm, simple | A normal follicle or corpus luteum (O-RADS 1) | No follow-up needed |
| 3–5 cm, simple | Very likely a functional cyst | Generally no follow-up if you have no symptoms; a recheck if you have pain |
| 5–7 cm, simple | Still very likely benign | Yearly ultrasound in the RCOG guideline; often an earlier recheck to confirm it is shrinking |
| Over 7 cm, or growing | Less likely to resolve; harder to assess fully by ultrasound | MRI or a surgical opinion may be advised |
| Any size, complex | Depends on the features seen | Assessed individually; referral when features are not clearly benign |
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
A dull one-sided ache can usually wait for an appointment; sudden severe pain cannot. Illustrative photo.
Safety first
Ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion? Know the warning signs
While you wait for a cyst to resolve, it helps to know the difference between symptoms that can wait for a clinic visit and those that cannot. A cyst that bursts usually causes sudden sharp pain that often eases over hours to days, but occasionally there is internal bleeding. Ovarian torsion, when the ovary twists on its blood supply, causes sudden severe one-sided pain, often with nausea or vomiting. Torsion is a surgical emergency, because the blood supply to the ovary can be cut off.
Hommage Clinic is an outpatient clinic. If you have the emergency signs below, go to a hospital emergency department rather than waiting for an appointment; in Korea you can call 119. For pain that keeps coming back, seepelvic pain treatment.
Book a clinic visit
- A dull ache or heaviness on one side
- Bloating or pressure lasting a few weeks
- Pain during sex that is new
- A cyst found on a scan that needs follow-up
- Painful periods with a known endometrioma
Go to an emergency room
- Sudden, severe pelvic pain
- Pain with nausea or vomiting
- Fever with pelvic pain
- Dizziness, fainting or rapid breathing
- Pain or bleeding with a positive pregnancy test
Not the same thing
Ovarian cyst vs PCOS: what is the difference?
The names sound alike, so the two are often confused. An ovarian cyst is usually a single, larger fluid-filled sac, and most come and go with the menstrual cycle. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a long-term hormonal condition. On ultrasound the ovaries often show many small follicles around the edge, but these are not true cysts, and they do not need to be removed. PCOS is diagnosed from a combination of irregular or absent ovulation, signs of raised androgens such as acne or excess hair, and the ovarian appearance on ultrasound.
You can have both at the same time. If your periods are irregular as well, Dr. Park may suggesthormone testingalongside your scan. Read more aboutPCOS treatmentandirregular periods.
Cysts that stay
Endometriomas, dermoid cysts and your fertility
Some ovarian cysts are not part of the cycle and will not disappear with time. The two most common are endometriomas, linked withendometriosis, and dermoid cysts (mature teratomas). For these, the question is not whether the cyst will go away but whether and when it is worth treating.
Endometriomas
Endometriomas often come with painful periods, pelvic pain or pain during sex. Hormonal treatment such as dienogest can ease pain and may slow growth, and many women are managed this way for years with regular scans. Surgery is considered for large or growing endometriomas, when pain does not respond to medicine, or when the diagnosis is uncertain. Because removing endometriomas can lower the number of eggs left in the ovary, the decision is especially careful if you hope to have children.
Dermoid cysts
Dermoid cysts are benign but tend to grow slowly, and the RCOG guideline notes that this raises the chance of pain and torsion over time, so removal is often advised. Small dermoids may be monitored first after discussion.
Protecting fertility
Functional cysts do not usually affect fertility. Before any ovarian surgery, anAMH testgives an estimate of ovarian reserve, and Dr. Park can discuss timing with your plans for pregnancy, includingovulation testingif you are trying to conceive.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Plans for pregnancy shape every decision about ovarian surgery. Illustrative photo.
Evidence
Ovarian cyst treatment: what the research says
Guidelines from gynecology and radiology bodies agree on the main point: most ovarian cysts found in women of reproductive age are benign and can be safely watched. The figures below come from those guidelines and from a Cochrane systematic review. Much of the evidence comes from screening programs and expert consensus rather than large randomized trials, and guidelines from different countries use slightly different size thresholds, so your plan is always individual.
Trials where the pill helped
Combined pills did not speed up resolution of functional cysts (686 women).
Cochrane review CD006134, 2014Malignancy risk before menopause
For a symptomatic ovarian cyst; about 3 in 1,000 at age 50.
RCOG Green-top Guideline 62O-RADS 2: almost certainly benign
Risk category for simple cysts and classic benign appearances.
ACR O-RADS US risk stratificationSimple cysts can often be watched
On a quality transvaginal scan, even after menopause.
ACOG Practice Bulletin 174Traveling to Seoul
Ovarian cyst checks in Seoul for international patients
Many visitors and expats come to us with a cyst found on a scan elsewhere and want a clear second opinion in English. A consultation and pelvic ultrasound take place in the same visit, so you usually leave with an answer on the day. Because a functional cyst is best rechecked 6–12 weeks later, the follow-up scan can be done at Hommage on a later trip, or by your own doctor at home using the report we give you.
Before you visit
- Message us by WhatsApp, KakaoTalk or the contact form with your dates and any language needs.
- Bring earlier ultrasound reports and images (a USB or phone photos is fine) so Dr. Park can compare size and appearance.
- Note the first day of your last period; the cycle phase helps interpret the scan.
- Bring your passport, a list of medicines and any blood test results such as CA-125.
If surgery is needed
Hommage does not perform ovarian surgery. If an operation is advised, Dr. Park writes a referral and explains your options, whether that is a hospital in Seoul or surgery at home with your own gynecologist.
Hommage · Seoul
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Seoul: the clinic is in Gangnam, a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station. Illustrative photo.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
You should leave knowing your cyst type and the next step. Illustrative photo.
Choosing well
How to choose an ovarian cyst clinic in Seoul
An ovarian cyst often needs more than one scan, so continuity matters as much as the first visit. Ask these questions at any clinic, including ours:
- Is the scan done by an OB/GYN specialist? The doctor who scans you should be able to explain the findings directly.
- Will the same doctor do my follow-up scan? Comparing like with like is the best way to tell whether a cyst is shrinking.
- Do they explain the cyst type, not just the size? Simple, hemorrhagic, endometrioma and dermoid cysts are managed very differently.
- Do they avoid unnecessary surgery? Most functional cysts only need time and a recheck.
- Do they refer promptly when needed? A clear referral path for MRI or surgery is a sign of safe care.
- Do I get a written report? Useful for your own doctor at home and for any later scan.
What affects the cost of ovarian cyst care?
Cost depends on whether you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, the type of ultrasound (transvaginal or transabdominal), how many follow-up scans are needed, whether blood tests such as CA-125 orhormone testsare added, and any medicines prescribed. Surgery, if needed, is billed separately by the hospital. We explain the expected costs before any test is done.
Your visit
What to expect at your ovarian cyst appointment
01
Consultation
Dr. Park reviews your symptoms, cycle, any previous scan reports and your plans for pregnancy.
02
Ultrasound
A pelvic ultrasound measures the cyst and checks its features. A transabdominal scan is available if you prefer.
03
Your plan
We explain the likely cyst type and agree on monitoring, medical treatment or referral, with clear warning signs to watch for.
04
Follow-up scan
If monitoring is advised, a repeat ultrasound is usually booked in 6–12 weeks to check whether the cyst has resolved.
Your doctor
Dr. Park Yuna
Medical Director · OB/GYN Specialist
Dr. Park avoids unnecessary surgery for cysts that are likely to resolve, while making sure cysts that need an operation are referred promptly. She compares each follow-up scan with the last so you know clearly whether the cyst is shrinking, stable or growing.
OB/GYN specialist (Korea) and representative director of Hommage Clinic. Leads the clinic's women's health care, from screening and infections to hormones, contraception and fertility checks.
Ovarian cysts: frequently asked questions
Do ovarian cysts go away on their own?
Most do. Functional cysts, the most common type, usually shrink and disappear within one to three menstrual cycles without treatment. A repeat ultrasound after 6 to 12 weeks confirms this. Endometriomas, dermoid cysts and cystadenomas do not resolve on their own and need longer-term monitoring or treatment.
What size of ovarian cyst needs surgery?
There is no single cut-off, but surgery is often discussed for cysts larger than about 5 to 10 cm, cysts that persist or grow over several scans, cysts with features that are not clearly benign, or cysts causing ongoing pain. Your age, symptoms and fertility plans also matter, so the decision is individual.
Can an ovarian cyst be cancer?
Most ovarian cysts in women of reproductive age are benign. The risk is higher after menopause or when a cyst has solid areas, thick walls or unusual blood flow on ultrasound. These features lead to further tests and referral to a specialist hospital. A simple fluid-filled cyst is very rarely cancerous.
Can ovarian cysts affect fertility?
Functional cysts do not usually affect fertility. Endometriomas can be linked with reduced fertility, and surgery on the ovary can lower ovarian reserve. If you hope to have children, discuss this before any surgery; an AMH test can help estimate your ovarian reserve.
Does the pill get rid of ovarian cysts?
The combined pill does not shrink cysts that are already present, according to current evidence. It can, however, reduce the chance of new functional cysts forming by stopping ovulation. For endometriomas, hormonal treatment such as dienogest is used to control pain and slow growth.
Can foreigners get ovarian cyst follow-up in Seoul?
Yes. Foreign residents and visitors can book at Hommage Clinic; bring your passport or alien registration card and any previous scan reports. If you are enrolled in National Health Insurance, ultrasound for a medical reason is generally covered. Please contact us before your visit to arrange language support.
What does a simple or complex ovarian cyst mean on my scan?
A simple cyst has a thin, smooth wall and clear fluid, and is the lowest-risk appearance. “Complex” means something more is visible inside, such as blood, thin partitions or a solid area. Many complex cysts, such as hemorrhagic cysts, endometriomas and dermoids, are still benign, but they are assessed more closely and sometimes need MRI or a specialist opinion.
What does a ruptured ovarian cyst feel like?
A ruptured cyst usually causes sudden, sharp pain on one side of the lower abdomen, sometimes after sex or exercise. Pain often eases over hours to days, but internal bleeding can occasionally occur. Go to an emergency department if pain is severe or comes with dizziness, fainting, fever or vomiting.
What is ovarian torsion?
Torsion is when the ovary twists on the tissues that carry its blood supply, often because a cyst makes it heavier. It causes sudden, severe one-sided pain, often with nausea or vomiting, and is a surgical emergency because the ovary can lose its blood supply. Do not wait for a clinic appointment if you suspect torsion.
Is an ovarian cyst the same as PCOS?
No. An ovarian cyst is usually a single, larger fluid-filled sac. In PCOS, the ovaries often show many small follicles, but PCOS is a hormonal condition diagnosed from irregular ovulation, signs of raised androgens and the ultrasound appearance together. You can have both.
Can I exercise or have sex with an ovarian cyst?
Most women with a small simple cyst and no pain can carry on as normal. If you have a larger cyst, Dr. Park may suggest avoiding very vigorous or twisting exercise until it has been rechecked, because of the small risk of rupture or torsion. Stop and seek care if exercise or sex brings on sudden severe pain.
Do I need a CA-125 blood test for an ovarian cyst?
Not usually. CA-125 is not needed when ultrasound clearly shows a simple cyst, and before menopause it is often raised by benign conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, infection and even periods. It is added selectively, for example when a cyst has complex features or after menopause, and is always interpreted together with the scan.
How often should an ovarian cyst be checked?
It depends on the cyst type and size. A simple cyst under about 5 cm in a woman with no symptoms often needs no further scan, while a cyst that is larger, painful or not clearly functional is usually rechecked after 6 to 12 weeks and then as advised. Endometriomas and dermoids that are being monitored are typically scanned at regular intervals agreed with your doctor.
References
Sources used for this page, reviewed by Dr. Park Yuna, OB/GYN specialist. Read our editorial and medical review policy.
- Grimes DA, Jones LB, Lopez LM, Schulz KF. Oral contraceptives for functional ovarian cysts. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(4):CD006134. Cochrane
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Management of suspected ovarian masses in premenopausal women. Green-top Guideline No. 62. 2011.
- American College of Radiology. O-RADS US risk stratification and management system (v2022). Summary
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Evaluation and management of adnexal masses. Practice Bulletin No. 174. Obstet Gynecol. 2016;128(5):e210–e226.
- Pavlik EJ, et al. Frequency and disposition of ovarian abnormalities followed with serial transvaginal ultrasonography. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;122(2 Pt 1):210–217.
This page is general information and does not replace a personal consultation. Illustrations are original works of Hommage Women's Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul; photos marked illustrative are not of patients.
Related women's health services
Pelvic Ultrasound
Same-visit ultrasound to check the ovaries, uterus and uterine lining.
Endometriosis Treatment
Care for endometriosis and endometriomas, the “chocolate cysts” of the ovary.
Pelvic Pain Treatment
Assessment of new or ongoing pelvic pain and its many possible causes.
Uterine Fibroid Treatment
Monitoring and treatment of fibroids, another common finding on pelvic ultrasound.
PCOS Treatment
Diagnosis and care for polycystic ovary syndrome, which differs from a single cyst.
AMH Test
Estimate ovarian reserve before decisions about ovarian surgery.
Get a clear plan for your ovarian cyst
Book an ultrasound consultation with Dr. Park Yuna in Gangnam. Bring any previous scan reports so we can compare.
Hommage Clinic · 4F, Building A, 509 Gangnam-daero, Seoul (near Sinnonhyeon Station) · Mon & Fri 10:00–20:00 · Tue–Thu 10:00–19:00 · Sat 10:00–15:00