HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Functional Ovarian Cysts
Medications
Treatment with medicine may be useful if you have recurrent, painful functional ovarian cysts.
Reference Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) are used to prevent Reference ovulation Opens New Window. Without ovulation, the chance that ovarian cysts will form is reduced and your symptoms may be relieved. Although birth control pills do not make ovarian cysts go away any faster, their use may prevent new cysts from forming.
What to think about
Birth control pills have not been shown to get rid of or shrink ovarian cysts that have already formed. Some studies show that the cysts shrink at the same rate with or without birth control pill use.Reference 1
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 8, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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