Around 1 in 10 women will develop ovarian cysts. Are they something to worry about?

USA Today

04-06-2025

Around 1 in 10 women will develop ovarian cysts. Are they something to worry about?
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Hailey Bieber reveals she has two ovarian cysts
Hailey Bieber is once again shedding light on her reproductive health. In an Instagram Story, the 28-year-old model and beauty entrepreneur revealed she's currently dealing with two ovarian cysts.
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Around one in 10 women will develop ovarian cysts at some point during their lives, and while the prospect of a cyst growing on your ovaries could set off alarm bells, they aren't something you need be super worried about, for the most part.
There are a number of reasons why ovarian cysts could form, although they're usually related to your menstrual cycle. While most ovarian cysts are completely harmless, there is a small chance that complications could arise if larger cysts are left untreated.
Here's everything experts need you to know about ovarian cysts, and the symptoms that should tip you off to see a doctor.
What are ovarian cysts?
Ovarian cysts are small, typically fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries. 'Over 50% of cysts are benign, regardless of someone's age, (or) whether they're premenopausal or postmenopausal,' says Dr. Rebecca Stone, a gynecologic oncologist at John Hopkins Medicine and an associate professor in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 'The majority of them also resolve on their own, especially if they're smaller than 5 centimeters,' she says.
Functional cysts (including follicular and corpus luteum cysts) are the most common type of ovarian cyst. They form around the time of ovulation, are almost always benign and usually resolve spontaneously, says Stone.
Complex cysts are ovarian cysts that aren't related to your menstrual cycle. Most complex cysts aren't a cause for concern, though it's possible they could point to an underlying condition, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), according to Cleveland Clinic. Here are a few types to know:
Cystadenomas . These benign tumors could arise due to a cellular change on the surface of the ovary, Stone says. They contain a mix of fluid, mucus and ovarian tissue, per Healthline. Unlike functional cysts, cystadenomas are less likely to resolve on their own, and may require surgical removal if they become bothersome.
. These benign tumors could arise due to a cellular change on the surface of the ovary, Stone says. They contain a mix of fluid, mucus and ovarian tissue, per Healthline. Unlike functional cysts, cystadenomas are less likely to resolve on their own, and may require surgical removal if they become bothersome. Endometriomas . Typically associated with endometriosis, endometriomas form when the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows on the ovary's surface. Endometriomas are a particularly problematic kind of ovarian cyst, Stone explains, because during menstruation, as the endometrium sheds, the cysts continue to enlarge. They don't usually go away by themselves, and may need to be removed if they are causing pain.
. Typically associated with endometriosis, endometriomas form when the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows on the ovary's surface. Endometriomas are a particularly problematic kind of ovarian cyst, Stone explains, because during menstruation, as the endometrium sheds, the cysts continue to enlarge. They don't usually go away by themselves, and may need to be removed if they are causing pain. Dermoid cysts (mature cystic teratomas). Dermoid cysts could technically appear anywhere in the body, though they're commonly found on the surface of ovaries, says Stone. It's a fluid-filled sac that's made of tissues from your skin, teeth, hair and other body parts, per Cleveland Clinic. Though they are generally benign, in rare cases they could become cancerous. Dermoid cysts are more likely to develop in younger women, and typically don't revolve spontaneously.
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What are the signs of an ovarian cyst?
Most ovarian cysts aren't a cause for concern, and when they're small, there are usually no symptoms present. You probably won't even realize you have one.
An ovarian cyst could grow to be quite large before someone actually develops symptoms, says Stone. If it's large enough, you could notice a change to your waistline, feel a firmness on either side of your abdomen, experience bloating and decreased appetite, or have an increased urge to go to the bathroom (which could indicate the cyst is putting pressure on your bladder), she says.
When symptoms become more severe, you could experience back pain, pelvic pain, painful periods and pain during sex, according to Cleveland Clinic. An ovarian cyst could be identified through a pelvic ultrasound, laparoscopy, pregnancy test or tumor marker test (if ovarian cancer is suspected), per Mayo Clinic.
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When are ovarian cysts a cause for concern?
It's possible that certain ovarian cysts might require intervention, especially if they are large in size, though generally speaking, complications are rare, says Dr. Joanna Forbes, an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. If left untreated, here are a few potential complications.
Ovarian torsion . When an ovarian cyst grows to be larger than 5 centimeters, there is an elevated risk of experiencing an ovarian torsion, which occurs when the ovary twists on itself, says Forbes. An ovarian torsion is often found incidentally when someone is experiencing sudden, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and sometimes fever, says Stone. It's considered a surgical emergency, and quick intervention is critical. 'If that happens, then the ovary can die, and it can be very painful,' Forbes says.
. When an ovarian cyst grows to be larger than 5 centimeters, there is an elevated risk of experiencing an ovarian torsion, which occurs when the ovary twists on itself, says Forbes. An ovarian torsion is often found incidentally when someone is experiencing sudden, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and sometimes fever, says Stone. It's considered a surgical emergency, and quick intervention is critical. 'If that happens, then the ovary can die, and it can be very painful,' Forbes says. Ovarian rupture . An ovarian rupture is another complication of ovarian cysts. If the ovarian rupture is mild, you might not have any symptoms. When an ovarian rupture is severe, you could experience symptoms similar to an ovarian torsion (such as acute abdominal pain and vomiting), and it could be potentially life-threatening, says Forbes. A rupture of a dermoid cyst leaks an irritating fluid that could cause scar tissue, inflammation, a bowel blockage, infection or bleeding, says Stone. If bleeding persists, it could reduce blood flow to your organs, and in rare cases be fatal, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.
. An ovarian rupture is another complication of ovarian cysts. If the ovarian rupture is mild, you might not have any symptoms. When an ovarian rupture is severe, you could experience symptoms similar to an ovarian torsion (such as acute abdominal pain and vomiting), and it could be potentially life-threatening, says Forbes. A rupture of a dermoid cyst leaks an irritating fluid that could cause scar tissue, inflammation, a bowel blockage, infection or bleeding, says Stone. If bleeding persists, it could reduce blood flow to your organs, and in rare cases be fatal, per Johns Hopkins Medicine. Cancer. In postmenopausal women, endometriomas are associated with a higher risk of underlying cancer, Stone says.
The bottom line? The vast majority of ovarian cysts aren't anything to worry about, but if you're experiencing symptoms that are out of the ordinary, it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor. If they confirm your symptoms are being caused by ovarian cysts, they can offer individualized treatment options.