Ovarian Cysts After Menopause - Is it Possible?

Ovarian cysts are generally caused by the egg sac, or follicle, not dissolving after ovulation. So can a woman get an ovarian cyst after menopause, and if so, why?

Ovarian cysts after menopause are not uncommon. Most cysts that form after menopause are called corpus luteum cysts. In the ovary, there are cells known as corpus luteum. Occasionally, one will fill with liquid and expand. Generally, this does not cause any pain unless it grows to the point where it stretches the ovarian wall.

However, the incidence of ovarian cancer increases after menopause, although it is still relatively low (1 in 10,000 at age 40, 1 in 1500 at age 60). For this reason, doctors will want to make a thorough examination of any cyst. Using an ultrasound, a doctor will look at a cyst to see if it is suspicious. If it looks like a bubble on the sonogram, it is a fluid filled, noncancerous cyst. If it is solid, the doctor may want to do a laparascopy in order to see if it is cancerous.

In a laparascopy, the doctor will make a small incision and insert a lighted tube called a laparascope. This will allow the doctor to remove the cyst if it is under 2 ½ inches in diameter. If it is larger than that, more invasive surgery may be necessary.

If you find you have an ovarian cyst after menopause, don't be frightened. The majority of cases will clear up on their own. However, you may want to consider making some simple dietary changes in order to avoid future cysts. Some simple ways to improve your diet include eliminating hormonally treated milk, meat, and eggs, and making sure to filter your water, as most public water supplies now contain various medications.