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Is Hormonal Suppression Efficacious in Treating Functional Ovarian Cysts?
1Center for Special Pelvic Surgery, 5555 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road, Suite 276, Atlanta, GA 30342.
Summary
Hormonal suppression and expectant management showed no significant difference in treating functional ovarian cysts. Further investigation is needed for persistent cysts, as treatments varied in effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Reproductive Endocrinology
Background:
- Functional ovarian cysts are common in women of reproductive age.
- Hormonal suppression is a potential treatment modality for ovarian cysts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the efficacy of hormonal suppression compared to expectant management in treating functional ovarian cysts.
Main Methods:
- A randomized study assigned 75 women with ovarian cysts to four groups: no treatment, oral contraceptives (OCP) with 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol/1 mg norethindrone, OCPs with 50 mcg ethinyl estradiol/1 mg norethindrone, or danazol 800 mg/day.
- Medications were taken continuously for 6 weeks, followed by pelvic examination and transvaginal ultrasound.
- Persistent cysts led to diagnostic laparoscopy.
Main Results:
- Complete cyst resolution rates were 58% (no treatment), 40% (low-dose OCP), 65% (high-dose OCP), and 54% (danazol).
- Laparoscopy revealed functional cysts, endometriomas, and other benign conditions in women with persistent cysts.
- No significant difference was found between expectant management and hormonal suppression for functional ovarian cysts.
Conclusions:
- Expectant management is as effective as hormonal suppression for functional ovarian cysts.
- The study did not find a correlation between CA 125 levels and cyst persistence or resolution.