Frequency and treatment of ovarian cysts in adolescence.

Ultrasound examination of the ovaries was performed monthly in the follicular phase of 139 healthy adolescents for one year. In 17 girls (12.2%) ovarian cysts spontaneously disappeared within 3 months of first observation. In 6 subjects, treatment with the combined estrogen/progestogen pill was given. The treatment was effective in 4 girls after 2-6 months while 2 subjects required surgical intervention for a cystic teratoma and a simple follicular cyst respectively. A spell of serial sonographic observation of ovarian cysts would seem appropriate in adolescents.