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Most ovarian cysts cause no symptoms so they often go undiagnosed.
They can be 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 doctor will probably refer you to a gynaecologist (a doctor specialising in women's reproductive health). The gynaecologist will carry out a vaginal examination to see if they can feel any abnormal swelling.
Ultrasound scan
To confirm an ovarian cyst, you will usually need to have an ultrasound scan. The probe of the scanner is placed on your abdomen to scan the ovaries and build up a picture of them. The doctor may also put a small, tube-shaped probe inside your vagina to scan the ovaries from this angle.
An ultrasound scan can confirm an ovarian mass (growth) and allows the doctor to calculate its size.
Blood test
Your doctor may also carry out a blood test to look for a protein called CA125. If there is a tumour, the level of this protein is usually higher than normal. A high level of CA125 can also be a sign of ovarian cancer, although it is affected by other conditions too.
view information about Ovarian Cyst on www.nhs.co.uk »Important Notice
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