Nabothian cysts seen by chance on a pelvic scan

What the report words mean

Nabothian cyst or follicle. A small cyst that forms when the opening of a mucus gland in the cervix gets covered by the skin-like lining of the cervix, so mucus collects underneath. (Shroff 2021)(Yilmaz 2022)
Size. Most are a few millimetres across. They can reach about 4 cm, and very large ones are rare. (Yilmaz 2022)(El-Agwany 2018)(Shroff 2021)
Single or multiple. A report may describe one cyst or many. (Yilmaz 2022)(El-Agwany 2018)
Simple, well defined, no solid parts. Round cysts with smooth, clear edges and no solid parts are the usual look. These features help tell a Nabothian cyst apart from other growths. (El-Agwany 2018)
Fluid density on CT. On CT they look like fluid. CT alone can find it hard to tell them apart from other cysts in the pelvis, and MRI can help when ultrasound and CT are unclear. (Shroff 2021)
Tunnel cluster or deep Nabothian cyst. A group of many small cysts, or a cyst deeper in the wall of the cervix. These are still benign, but they can look like rarer growths, so the report may describe them in more detail. (Yilmaz 2022)(El-Agwany 2018)

Who has them

Nabothian cysts are common and are mostly seen in women of reproductive age. (Yilmaz 2022)(Omi 2024) A review line puts them on about 12% of pelvic MRI scans. In one MRI study of 452 women with an average age of about 45, they were seen in 28% of the comparison group. Tunnel clusters are reported in up to 8% of women. (Yilmaz 2022)

Women with Nabothian cysts on pelvic MRI in one study (Yilmaz 2022)
Group	Share with Nabothian cysts
Comparison group (202 women)	28.2%
Women with adenomyosis on MRI (250 women)	69.8%

The study was in one hospital and the women had MRI for a reason, so these numbers may not match women in general. (Yilmaz 2022)

When they matter

Most need nothing. Nabothian cysts are benign, are usually small, often go away on their own and do not cause symptoms. (Shroff 2021) Sources say cysts that cause no symptoms need no treatment. (Yilmaz 2022)(Omi 2024)
When another test is suggested. A cyst that is unusually large, has solid parts, has unclear edges, or comes with a lot of watery discharge may lead to a closer look, such as an MRI or an exam of the cervix. (El-Agwany 2018)(Shroff 2021) A study from Japan found that some women had surgery for a suspected rarer growth that turned out to be Nabothian cysts, and described MRI features that help tell them apart. (Omi 2024)
Rare look-alikes. A case report describes a cervical cancer that was first taken for a Nabothian cyst, and says abnormal Pap results call for a careful check. (Lee 2025) Whether you need another test depends on the report, any symptoms and your screening history. Your doctor decides.
Seeing a GP. The NHS says to see a GP for vaginal bleeding that is unusual for you (during or after sex, between periods, after the menopause or heavier periods than usual), changes to vaginal discharge, pain during sex, or pain in the lower back, pelvis or lower tummy. It says these are common and have many causes. (NHS cervical cancer symptoms)
Worry is real. See after an abnormal screening result.

How this differs from cervical screening

A pelvic scan looks at the shape of the cervix and womb. It does not test for HPV or for cell changes on the cervix, so a scan that shows Nabothian cysts, or a normal scan, does not replace cervical screening. See cervical cancer screening for who is invited and how often, and Pap and HPV test results for what results mean.

Other things a scan may show

The same scan may mention other findings, each with its own page: fibroids, an ovarian cyst, a thick womb lining after menopause and pelvic vein stones.

Who it applies to

Adults with a cervix told that a pelvic ultrasound, CT or MRI, done for something else, shows Nabothian cysts. People who are pregnant, people already being seen for a cervical growth, and a scan done because of bleeding or pain are outside this page.

Routine age-based screening

A finding on a scan does not replace the routine screenings for your age. See screenings by age and gender.

Where they differ:

How common they are. A review line gives about 12% of pelvic MRI scans, while one MRI study found 28% in its comparison group and about 70% in women with adenomyosis. (Yilmaz 2022) Numbers depend on the scan used and who was scanned.
How large they get. Most sources say a few millimetres. (Yilmaz 2022)(Shroff 2021) An ultrasound paper says they can reach about 4 cm each. (El-Agwany 2018)
Large or deep cysts. A radiology paper says views differ on whether large and deep cysts need treatment. (Yilmaz 2022) An MRI study warns that surgery for a cyst that is only a Nabothian cyst is a heavy burden and that MRI features can help avoid it. (Omi 2024)

Your doctor decides what your result means for you.

Questions people ask

What is a Nabothian cyst?

A Nabothian cyst is a small cyst on the cervix, the neck of the womb, filled with mucus from the glands there. It is the most common benign lump of the cervix and is usually a few millimetres across. (Shroff 2021) (Yilmaz 2022)

How common are Nabothian cysts?

They are common, mostly in women of reproductive age. A review line gives about 12% of pelvic MRI scans, and one MRI study found them in 28% of women in its comparison group. (Yilmaz 2022) (Omi 2024)

Are Nabothian cysts a sign of cancer?

They are benign. Rarely, another cervical growth can look like one on a scan, so reports note features such as size, shape and any solid parts. Your doctor decides what your result means for you. (El-Agwany 2018) (Lee 2025)

Does a Nabothian cyst replace cervical screening?

No. A pelvic scan does not check for HPV or cell changes. Cervical screening is a separate test with its own schedule. (Omi 2024)

When should I see a doctor?

The NHS says to see a GP for vaginal bleeding that is unusual for you, changes to vaginal discharge, pain during sex, or pain in the lower back, pelvis or lower tummy. (NHS cervical cancer symptoms)