Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesNatural TreatmentsAdditional TreatmentsMedical TreatmentsWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Natural Treatments
Additional Treatments
Medical Treatments
When to See a Provider
Ovarian cysts are usually harmless but treatments may be needed to manage symptoms. They will vary based on whether lifestyle changes and natural remedies can help, or whether medication or a less-common surgery is needed to shrink or remove a growth. The type of ovarian cyst and the underlying cause are factors.
For example, treatment of a chronic condition likepolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)is approached differently than a functional cyst, which will likely resolve on its own.Keep in mind that although natural remedies are generally safe to try, there is little to no scientific proof that they work. Talk with your healthcare provider about your options.
The associated symptoms of an ovarian cyst can include:
An ovarian cyst may not cause symptoms unless it ruptures. Symptoms also may vary depending on the cause.
People diagnosed with PCOS may have infertility problems, and other symptoms of hormonal imbalance likefacial hair growth.If symptoms are related to another diagnosis, other specific symptoms may occur with the condition.
A functional ovarian cyst is considered a normal part of the menstrual cycle and the release of an egg during ovulation. In some cases, the egg doesn’t release properly or fluid builds up to form a benign (not cancerous) cyst. These cysts usually go away on their own.
Other types of cysts include:
Much research on ovarian cyst treatments has focused onpolycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS), a condition involving hormonal and metabolic imbalances that lead to multiple ovarian cysts.Other causes can includeendometriosis, a disorder which affects the uterine lining, or cancer, which is more likely after menopause.
Home Remedies
Some complementary and alternative medicine practitioners claim that various natural home remedies can help shrink ovarian cysts. However, most of these claims have no scientific backing.
Small, preliminary studies suggest that a few things may help shrink or prevent ovarian cysts. For example, a 2023 research study on herbs including neem leaf extract and black cumin found that ovarian cysts were smaller on ultrasound after using the herbs.
These remedies might help with PCOS symptoms, but none of them have been shown to shrink or get rid of ovarian cysts. Speak with your healthcare provider before using any home remedies for ovarian cysts, which may include:
Foods to AvoidDiet may affect ovarian cysts, but little research has been done in this area. One study suggests that high levels of dietary fat may be linked to more frequent cysts, but the findings weren’t definitive.Keep in mind that there may be recommendations for PCOS or endometriosis, such as choosingprobioticfoods like yogurt, that may have a secondary effect on cyst symptoms.Limiting red meat, processed foods, and caffeine may reduce inflammation.
Foods to Avoid
Diet may affect ovarian cysts, but little research has been done in this area. One study suggests that high levels of dietary fat may be linked to more frequent cysts, but the findings weren’t definitive.Keep in mind that there may be recommendations for PCOS or endometriosis, such as choosingprobioticfoods like yogurt, that may have a secondary effect on cyst symptoms.Limiting red meat, processed foods, and caffeine may reduce inflammation.
Self-Care
There are some other options for treating ovarian cysts, which include:
Watchful waiting is a common approach in ovarian cyst care. Many ovarian cysts will go away on their own, often with the next month’s menstrual cycle.You can have the cyst monitored with an ultrasound scan to see if it has gone away.
Some people have used a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device to manage endometriosis pain. Other possibilities include:
Your healthcare provider may recommend surgical removal of your ovarian cyst if it is large, causing discomfort, does not go away on its own, or ruptures. Surgery is also recommended if there’s any concern an ovarian cyst could be cancerous, or if a person has other risk factors for ovarian cancer.
Surgical options can include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
In some cases, an ovarian cyst can rupture can cause sudden and severe pain. Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms include:
If you are treated for a chronic condition like PCOS or endometriosis, make sure your healthcare provider is aware of any change in your symptoms. You may need to consider medication changes or other new approaches to managing your condition.
Summary
Ovarian cysts often go away on their own but in some cases can cause pain and other symptoms. Home remedies, including OTC pain medications and heat, can sometimes help you manage the symptoms of an ovarian cyst.
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.
National Health Service.Ovarian Cyst.
MedlinePlus.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
National Health Service.Ovarian Cyst Causes.
Tidewater Physicians for Women.What Are Ovarian Cysts and How Are They Treated?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Rejeki M.Ovarian Cysts Treatment and Recovery Using Herb Medicine. Proceedings of 5th Borobudur International Symposium on Humanities and Social Science 2023. doi:10.2991/978-2-38476-273-6_95
Mehraban M, Jelodar G, Rahmanifar F.A combination of spearmint and flaxseed extract improved endocrine and histomorphology of ovary in experimental PCOS.J Ovarian Res. 2020;13(1):32. doi:10.1186/s13048-020-00633-8
Danduga RCSR, Kurapati AS, Shaik RA, Kola PK, Konidala SK, Varada HB.Synergistic Amelioration of Letrozole-induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats: A Therapeutic Approach with Apple Cider Vinegar and Metformin Combination.Reprod Sci. 2024 Sep;31(9):2861-2876. doi:10.1007/s43032-024-01545-4
Kumorkiewicz-Jamro A, Świergosz T, Sutor K, Spórna-Kucab A, Wybraniec S.Multi-colored shades of betalains: recent advances in betacyanin chemistry.Nat Prod Rep. 2021;38(12):2315-2346. doi:10.1039/d1np00018g
Yong YY, Ong MWK, Dykes G, Choo WS.Betacyanin-inhibited biofilm formation of co-culture of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on different polymer surfaces.FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2021;368(1):fnaa214. doi:10.1093/femsle/fnaa214
Anh NH, Kim SJ, Long NP, et al.Ginger on human health: A comprehensive systematic review of 109 randomized controlled trials.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):157. doi:10.3390/nu12010157
Atashpour S, Kargar Jahromi H, Kargar Jahromi Z, Maleknasab M.Comparison of the effects of ginger extract with clomiphene citrate on sex hormones in rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome.Int J Reprod Biomed. 2017;15(9):561-568.
de Lima RMT, Dos Reis AC, de Menezes APM, et al.Protective and therapeutic potential of ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract and [6]-gingerol in cancer: A comprehensive review.Phytother Res. 2018;32(10):1885-1907. doi:10.1002/ptr.6134
Pashaei-Asl R, Pashaei-Asl F, Gharabaghi P, et al.The inhibitory effect of ginger extract on ovarian cancer cell line; Application of systems biology.Adv Pharm Bull. 2017 Jun;7(2):241–249. doi:10.15171/apb.2017.029
Guo R, Yi Z, Wang Y, Wang L.Network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the potential mechanism of Sanjie Zhentong Capsule in endometriosis treatment.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Feb 3;14:1110995. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1110995
Tafazoli M, Fazeli E, Dadgar S, Nematy M.The association of the dietary fat and functional ovarian cysts in women of reproductive age referring to three hospitals in Mashhad, Iran, 2014.Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery. 2016;4(2):148-156.
Yalçın Bahat P, Ayhan I, Üreyen Özdemir E, İnceboz Ü, Oral E.Dietary supplements for treatment of endometriosis: A review.Acta Biomed. 2022;93(1):e2022159. Published 2022. doi:10.23750/abm.v93i1.11237
Endometriosis Association.Endometriosis Treatments: Finding Relief from the Pain.
University of North Carolina Health.Ovarian Cyst Treatment.
Wu L, Liu Y, Huang X, Lin K, Liu Y, Li Z,et al.Oral contraceptives (OCs) in combination with metformin versus OCs alone on metabolism in nonobese polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2023 Jul;99(1):3-16. doi:10.1111/cen.14895
Moghetti P, Tosi F.Insulin resistance and PCOS: chicken or egg?.J Endocrinol Invest. 2021;44(2):233-244. doi:10.1007/s40618-020-01351-0U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Ovarian cysts.
Moghetti P, Tosi F.Insulin resistance and PCOS: chicken or egg?.J Endocrinol Invest. 2021;44(2):233-244. doi:10.1007/s40618-020-01351-0
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Ovarian cysts.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
