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Functional Ovarian Cysts - When To Call a Doctor

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

Sudden, severe pelvic pain with nausea or vomiting.
Severe vaginal bleeding.
Sudden faintness or weakness.
Sudden dizziness with abdominal discomfort that persists for 2 hours or longer.

Call your doctor for an appointment if:

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Pain interferes with your daily activities.
Your periods have changed from relatively pain-free to painful during the past 3 to 6 months.
Your periods have changed from regular to infrequent during the past 3 to 6 months and you are not nearing menopause.
You have pain during sexual intercourse.

For more information about other symptoms that concern you, see the following topics:

Watchful Waiting

Most functional ovarian cysts are harmless, do not cause symptoms, and go away without treatment. Watchful waiting is usually an appropriate option if you are diagnosed with a functional ovarian cyst.

Who To See

Ovarian cysts can be diagnosed and treated by any of the following health professionals:

You may need to see a gynecologist for further testing or treatment.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: October 12, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.