Prevention and Treatment of Ovarian Cysts with Oral Contraceptives: A Prospective Randomized Study

ABSTRACT

To determine if treatment with low-dose combination oral contraceptives hastened resolution of ovarian cysts or prevented their occurrence, we conducted a prospective randomized study of 45 women with ovarian cysts and 50 women without ovarian cysts and divided the patients into four groups. Group A patients (n = 25) had no cysts and received oral contraceptives, group B patients (n = 25) had no cysts and were expectantly managed, group C patients (n = 25) had cysts and received oral contraceptives, and group D patients (n = 20) had cysts and were observed. All patients were followed with transvaginal ultrasound examinations every 4 weeks for three cycles, with cyst dimensions and ovarian volumes recorded. There were no statistically significant changes in the size of the cysts or ovarian volumes between groups who received oral contraceptives and groups who received expectant management (p > 0.05) Prophylactic treatment with the oral contraceptive did produce a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of ovarian cyst formation. Cyclic low-dose oral contraceptives had no effect on resolution of ovarian cysts but did seem to protect against cyst formation in short-term use. (J GYNECOL SURG 12:21, 1996)