What is a common treatment approach for unruptured ovarian cysts smaller than 5cm?

For unruptured ovarian cysts that are smaller than 5 cm, a common treatment approach involves the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain management combined with observation. This approach is appropriate because many unruptured cysts of this size are asymptomatic and can resolve spontaneously without intervention. The use of NSAIDs can help alleviate discomfort that may occur, while careful monitoring allows for reassessment of the cyst in follow-up visits to ensure that it reduces in size or resolves completely.

In most cases, immediate surgery is not warranted for small, uncomplicated cysts because the risks associated with surgery often outweigh the benefits when cysts are likely to resolve on their own. Hormonal therapy may be considered in certain cases, especially if cysts are recurrent, but it is not a first-line treatment for simple, unruptured cysts of small size. Antibiotics are not indicated unless there is a suspicion of infection, which is not typically a concern with simple ovarian cysts. Therefore, utilizing NSAIDs for symptomatic relief while adopting a watchful waiting strategy is the most effective and standard approach for managing these cases.