Ovarian cyst - Diagnosing ovarian cysts

Most ovarian cysts go undiagnosed because they do not usually cause any symptoms.

Ovarian cysts are sometimes diagnosed by chance – for example, during a pelvic examination. They can also be spotted during an ultrasound scan being carried out 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). They will carry out a vaginal examination to see whether they can feel any abnormal swelling.

Ultrasound scan

To confirm the presence of an ovarian cyst, you usually need to have an ultrasound scan. An ultrasound scanner uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body.

During the scan, a probe will be placed on your abdomen to scan your ovaries. The doctor may also place 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 rather than 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.

However, if the results of your blood test show a higher than normal level of CA125, it does not automatically mean that you have ovarian cancer.

This is because levels can fluctuate from person to person and can be raised in many other conditions, such as endometriosis (where small pieces of womb lining are found outside the womb) and tuberculosis (a bacterial infection)

Read more about how ovarian cancer is diagnosed.