Most ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms, therefore they often go undiagnosed. Sometimes, ovarian cysts are diagnosed by chance – for example, during a pelvic examination. They can also be spotted when people have an ultrasound scan for an unrelated reason.
If you have symptoms that could be caused by an ovarian cyst, your GP will probably refer you to a gynaecologist (a doctor who specialises in female reproductive health). The gynaecologist will carry out a vaginal examination to see whether they can feel any abnormal swelling.
Ultrasound scan
To confirm an ovarian cyst, you usually need to have an ultrasound scan. An ultrasound scanner works by using sound waves to build up an image of the inside of your body.
The probe of the scanner is placed on your abdomen to scan your ovaries. The doctor may also put a small, tube-shaped probe inside your vagina to scan your ovaries from this angle. An ultrasound scan can usually confirm whether you have an ovarian cyst and how big it is.
Blood test
Your GP may refer you for a blood test if an ultrasound scan shows that the cyst is partially solid, as opposed to being filled with fluid. The blood test will be used to measure levels of a protein called CA125, which is often elevated in cases of ovarian cancer.
If your blood test shows a higher than normal level of CA125, it does not automatically mean that you have ovarian cancer because levels can fluctuate from person to person.
See ovarian cancer - diagnosis for more information.
