Care · By concern
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms in or on the ovary. It is a frequent finding, most often benign, and most cysts go away on their own. At the practice, 42 avenue Mozart, Dr Chaima Gatri, OB-GYN and gynecological (gynaecological) surgeon, takes stock in a single consultation: the pelvic ultrasound is performed on site and the course of action — monitor, treat the symptoms or operate — is decided with you. When surgery is needed, she performs it herself at the Clinique de la Muette, a five-minute walk away. English-speaking practice.
Updated on 20 October 2026
Recognizing it
Most cysts are functional: linked to the cycle, they form around ovulation and disappear on their own within a few cycles. Organic cysts — dermoid cyst, endometrioma, cystadenoma — do not depend on the cycle and persist: these are the ones that call for a decision. Often, a cyst gives no sign at all and is discovered on ultrasound. Otherwise, it shows itself through:
Sudden, intense pain low in the abdomen, with nausea or faintness, raises the fear of ovarian torsion or rupture of the cyst: call 15, the French emergency number.
Assessment
The assessment begins with a gynecological examination and a pelvic ultrasound, performed at the practice during the consultation on the GE Voluson Expert 22 system of our equipment; the result is explained to you immediately. The ultrasound measures the cyst, describes its content — clear fluid, septa, solid areas — and in most cases distinguishes a functional cyst from an organic one. Dr Mahdhi-Basli also performs the practice's pelvic ultrasounds.
For a cyst that looks functional, we check: a repeat ultrasound a few cycles later confirms that it has gone. For a cyst that persists or whose appearance warrants it, Dr Gatri prescribes when necessary a pelvic MRI and blood tests, which refine the diagnosis. After menopause, a cyst is monitored more closely and the work-up is completed from the outset.
Treatments
The information sheets of the French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF), translated into English, are given to you at the consultation: laparoscopy information sheet and adnexectomy by vaginal route (vNotes) information sheet. An endometrioma — the cyst of endometriosis — is managed as part of the overall care of endometriosis.
Information
Every procedure carries risks: Dr Gatri sets them out at the consultation and gives you the information sheets of the French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF), translated into English, whose wording is used here.
Frequently asked questions
The consultation for surgery is an appointment at the practice. Dr Gatri examines your situation, explains the planned procedure and answers your questions. If the procedure is decided on, you receive a quotation and an informed-consent form; once they are signed, a date is set for the procedure at the Clinique de la Muette.
In the great majority of cases, no: most cysts are functional and benign, and disappear on their own. The ultrasound, completed when necessary by an MRI and blood tests, clarifies the nature of the cyst. Cysts that persist are monitored or operated on.
A functional cyst, yes, within a few cycles; this is checked with a follow-up ultrasound. An organic cyst persists: it is monitored when small and silent, and operated on when it grows or hurts.
When the cyst persists from one check to the next, when it is large, when it hurts or when its appearance on ultrasound or MRI warrants removing it — and urgently in the event of torsion or rupture. The decision is made with you, according to your age and your pregnancy plans.
Whenever possible, yes: cystectomy removes the cyst alone and preserves the ovary; for an endometrioma, however, it may reduce the ovarian reserve, which weighs in the decision. With a single ovary, cycles are maintained and pregnancy most often remains possible.
Most cysts do not prevent pregnancy. Some, such as endometrioma, are part of a condition that affects fertility, and surgery itself is weighed against the ovarian reserve. If you are planning a pregnancy, say so: it counts in every decision. The practice sees couples in an infertility consultation.
Sudden, intense pain with nausea or faintness raises the fear of ovarian torsion or rupture of the cyst: it is treated without delay, and it is not what the practice is for — call 15, the French emergency number. For unusual but bearable pain, choose the “Urgence gynécologique” (gynecological emergency) appointment on Doctolib or call the secretariat, which tells you what Dr Gatri's schedule allows; the practice's own patients are given priority.
In part. The consultation, the ultrasound, the prescribed tests and the procedure are partly covered by the French health insurance (Assurance maladie). The practice applies direct billing to the French national health insurance (tiers payant): with an up-to-date carte Vitale, you do not pay that part upfront. What remains payable by you includes the excess fee (dépassement d'honoraires), which may be reimbursed by your complementary insurer (mutuelle), depending on your policy. Clinic charges and the fees of the anesthetist (anaesthetist) are arranged with the clinic. The full picture is in “Fees and reimbursement”, further down.
With laparoscopy, a few incisions of less than one centimeter, at the navel and low on the abdomen, which fade over time. With the vaginal route (vNotes), the CNGOF information sheet states that the approach goes through the natural passages and involves no skin incision: no abdominal scar, and pain after the operation that is generally slight. The route chosen is explained to you beforehand.
It depends on your work and on the procedure performed. For an adnexectomy by the vaginal route, the CNGOF information sheet states 7 to 28 days off work depending on the activity, and a post-operative visit within 3 to 4 weeks; until that visit it asks you to avoid lifting more than 5 kg, baths and sexual intercourse. Dr Gatri sets the length with you.
On Doctolib, with Dr Gatri: “Première consultation de gynécologie” (first gynecology consultation), or “Consultation pour chirurgie des kystes de l'ovaire” (ovarian cyst surgery) if a cyst is already known; or by telephone through the secretariat. For unusual pain, choose “Urgence gynécologique”.
Fees
Appointments
Appointments can be booked online via Doctolib or by telephone through the secretariat.
Book an appointment on Doctolib