The short answer
Most ovarian cysts in women who still have periods are harmless and go away by themselves within a few menstrual cycles, so they are usually watched with a repeat scan. Surgery is advised when a cyst is large, does not go away, causes symptoms, looks unusual on the scan, or appears after menopause. Sudden severe pain on one side with vomiting is an emergency.
Book ovarian cyst removal, from ₦580,000Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
The cysts that usually go away
Every month an egg grows inside a small fluid-filled sac on the ovary. Sometimes the sac does not release the egg or does not shrink afterwards, and a simple cyst forms. These are called functional cysts. They are very common, cause no symptoms in many women, and usually disappear within a few cycles without treatment.
If your scan shows a small simple cyst and you are well, your doctor will often suggest a repeat scan in a few weeks to check it has gone.
When surgery is usually advised
- The cyst is large, or still there on repeat scans
- It causes pain, pressure, or a swelling you can feel
- The scan shows solid areas or a complex appearance, rather than simple fluid
- It is a dermoid cyst, which does not go away by itself
- It is an endometrioma (a 'chocolate cyst' from endometriosis) causing pain or affecting fertility
- You are past menopause, when cysts are checked more carefully, usually with a blood test called CA125 as well as a scan
What the operation involves
An ovarian cystectomy removes the cyst and keeps the ovary, which matters for your hormones and fertility. It is often done by keyhole surgery, sometimes through a small cut on the tummy. Occasionally the whole ovary has to be removed, for example if the cyst cannot be separated from it, and this is discussed before you consent. The cyst is sent to the laboratory to confirm what it was.
Most cysts are not cancer. When a scan raises concern, especially after menopause, you may be referred to a gynaecological cancer specialist for the operation. That is a precaution, not a diagnosis.
Emergency signs: go to hospital now
A cyst can twist the ovary (torsion), cutting off its blood supply, or burst. Both need urgent care. Go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Sudden, severe pain low in the tummy, often on one side
- Pain with vomiting, fever or feeling faint
- A positive pregnancy test with tummy pain or bleeding, which needs checking for an ectopic pregnancy
PCOS is different
Polycystic ovary syndrome is often confused with ovarian cysts. In PCOS the ovaries contain many small follicles, not true cysts, and they are not removed by surgery. PCOS is treated with lifestyle changes and medicines, and fertility treatment if needed.
What it costs on Mezo
Histology on the cyst included.
Common questions
Can an ovarian cyst stop me getting pregnant?
Most simple cysts do not. Endometriomas and some other cysts can affect fertility, and so can surgery on the ovary. If you are trying for a baby, your gynaecologist will weigh both before advising an operation.
Can medicine dissolve an ovarian cyst?
No medicine dissolves an established cyst. The contraceptive pill can stop new functional cysts forming in some women, but most simple cysts go away on their own anyway.
My cyst is 4cm. Do I need surgery?
Not necessarily. Size is only one part of the decision. A simple cyst of that size in a woman with periods is often watched with a repeat scan. Your gynaecologist will look at the whole scan report and your symptoms.
How much does cyst removal cost?
An ovarian cystectomy on Mezo is from ₦580,000. Your written all-in quote follows the assessment and scan.
The procedures
Related health guides
More patient guides
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Ovarian cyst. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 22 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.